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

475. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Saudi Arabia¹

Washington, April 2, 1968, 0122Z.

140117. Rome 5178.²

1. Department concurs recommendation para 11 reftel that Ambassador Eilts be authorized convey to Saudis substance Brewer-Said meeting, in manner and at level he deems appropriate but without disclosing names or venue. Ambassador may wish stress meeting at Yemeni initiative another in series to discuss outstanding problems but that YARG emissary obviously instructed take advantage session to put forward official feeler re ending civil war.

2. While these Yemeni views not inconsistent with earlier similar expressions moderate YARG leaders, we are impressed by attitude compromise and particularly with what appears genuine desire republican moderates overcome rising threat from radical left. These YARG leaders seem regard any long continuation civil war as destined increase power to Yemeni radicals and cause loss control by present government. This connection, YARG’s willingness permit return FLOSY leaders to Taiz bears witness to their reservations re PRSY developments.

3. Department continues want avoid direct USG role in Yemeni-Saudi question but desires keep SAG fully informed re periodic informal USG/YARG contacts. View indications Jidda 3408³ [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] that Saudis ceasing aid to Royalists and have open mind about type government for Yemen, would appear that juxtaposition sentiments both sides provides opening for progress. We thus believe Saudis should be particularly interested this indication YARG views.

4. In Rome meeting YARG was encouraged seek communicate its views to SAG via Arab intermediary or directly but unclear what YARG may do. If Saudis have means communicating directly (as reported abortive Asmara meeting last December suggests), chance arrange new direct contact might be well worth taking.⁴

Katzenbach

1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967-69, POL 27 YEMEN. Secret; Limdis. Drafted by Dinsmore and Brewer on April 1 and approved by Davies. Repeated to Aden, Kuwait, London, Rome, Tehran, and CINCSTRIKE.
2. Document 474.
3. Telegram 3408 from Jidda, March 30, reported that, on the King’s orders, Prince Sultan had informed royalist leaders that effective immediately all Saudi financial and material aid was being stopped until and unless royalist leaders united and showed that they could work together to find a solution to the Yemeni problem. (National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967-69, POL 27 YEMEN)
4. In telegram 3550 from Jidda, April 9, the Ambassador reported that he had briefed Mas’ud on the recent U.S.-Yemeni exchange as instructed. (Ibid.) In telegram 3608 from Jidda, April 14, Eilts reported that he had discussed Yemen with Saqqaf, who said that the King did not believe that the Yemeni expression of interest in better relations had any meaning as long as the republicans continued to demand the exclusion of the Hamid al-Dins. (Ibid.)