Office of the Historian

415. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the United Arab Republic1

Washington, October 15, 1966, 12:49 p.m.

66851. Ref: Jidda’s 14002 and Cairo 19723 (being repeated addressees).

For Cairo: Suggest you tell Fawzi we have reliable report several lives lost in Najran morning October 14 result bombing by aircraft and ask whether UARG has any information. If appropriate you should express hope UAR will exert greatest care avoid incidents which would counter Kuwait’s mediation efforts and could exacerbate delicate situation Yemen.4

For Jidda: Line you have taken with Mas’ud just right. Believe we should maintain low key and urge restraint both sides until facts and UAR intentions clearer.

Rusk
  1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964-66, POL 31-1 SAUD-UAR. Confidential; Immediate. Drafted by John T. Wheelock (NEA/UAR), cleared by Davies and Moore, and approved by Hare. Also sent to Jidda and repeated to Kuwait, London, Taiz, USUN, CHUSMTM, and CINCSTRIKE/ CINCMEAFSA.↩
  2. In telegram 1400 from Jidda, October 14, Eilts reported that acting Deputy Foreign Minister Mas’ud informed him that four UAR aircraft had attacked Najran that morning killing three people, and that he had just delivered a strong oral protest to the UAR Ambassador. Eilts expressed shock at the bombing but also urged calm and restraint. (Ibid.)↩
  3. In telegram 1972 from Cairo, October 15, Battle requested guidance on the UAR attack on Najran for a previously scheduled meeting with Fawzi on October 17. (Ibid.)↩
  4. In telegram 2020 from Cairo, October 17, Battle reported that he discussed the Najran bombing with Fawzi that morning. (Ibid.) In telegram 2021 from Cairo, October 17, the Ambassador reported that 3 hours later he had been asked to return to receive the UAR response, which stated that UAR forces had noted unusual military activities and movements indicating Saudi aggressive intentions and endangering the security of UAR forces and had therefore taken preventive measures, such as day and night military explorations, which could result in the possibility of mistakes. (Ibid.)↩