460. Circular Telegram From the Department of State to Certain Posts1
65492. Recent Yemen coup2 represents move in more moderate direction and may improve possibility some YARG/Royalist compromise settlement. However, picture still far from clear and atmosphere civil war likely continue characterize situation for some period. In these circumstances, we are refraining from substantive public comment on Yemen developments, both (a) to prevent any embarrassment moderates which US welcome recent move might cause at this juncture Arab-American affairs; and (b) to avoid giving impression to new YARG that we would be receptive to renewal formal relations and provision [Page 851] specific help at early date. In our view, US attitude should be one of quiet encouragement to both sides to compose their differences in order stable and viable central government can be established which would merit broad international recognition. Addressees should be guided by foregoing and should in general avoid speculation re USG attitude towards new regime.
- Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967-69, POL 23-9 YEMEN. Secret. Drafted by Brewer on November 6, cleared by Davies, and approved by Brewer. Sent to Aden, Amman, Beirut, Dhahran, Kuwait, London, Rome, Tehran, Tel Aviv, and USUN.↩
- On November 5 Sallal was removed from office by a military coup as Qadi Abd al-Rahman al-Iryani was named Chairman of the Presidency Council and former Yemeni Ambassador to the United States Muhsin al-Aini became Prime Minister.↩