Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XXI, Near East Region; Arabian Peninsula

440. Memorandum From the President’s Special Assistant (Rostow) to President Johnson¹

Washington, April 27, 1967, 10:45 p.m.

Mr. President:

I have been in touch with Luke Battle. Two Americans at the USAID mission in Yemen have been accused of blowing up the Capital. We are evacuating the AID mission, and only leaving a minimal staff. We have been in touch with the Yemen and U.A.R. ambassadors here. Since they have announced publicly, it’s unlikely they will reverse their announced decision about our two men.

The background is that in both Cairo and Yemen, there have been some groups who have wanted to either keep the US connection, or get rid of it. The latter appear to have won.

We shall be announcing tomorrow that the charges are without foundation—which they are. Both State and I will follow closely.

WWR ²

1. Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Memos to the President, Walt Rostow, Vol. 26. No classification marking. An “L” on the memorandum indicates that the President read it.
2. Printed from a copy that indicates the original was initialed.