52. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the United Arab Republic1
3631. During recent US-UK talks HMG requested USG use its influence with Nasser to desist from campaign of propaganda and subversion directed against Aden. We were non-committal at time, noting that this campaign appears to have occurred in last 2-3 months since circulation of reports that Aden (Sharif of Beihan) source of arms shipments to royalists.
We have decided to respond positively to HMG request. In so informing British Embassy here February 7, we have expressed strong hope that HMG will redouble its efforts to prevent Aden territory from being used for activities in support of Yemeni dissident elements. Accordingly, Cairo should at appropriate UARG level (1) express USG hope that, in consonance with spirit of Summit Conference and in interest of easing Yemen-Aden tensions, Cairo will desist from further propaganda and other types of inflammatory attacks against Aden; and (2) indicate that although USG has already been assured by UK that latter doing utmost restrain Adeni rulers from aiding Yemeni royalists, we have requested HMG to make further special effort frustrate any such activities which may be occurring.2
For London: You should inform Foreign Office of foregoing.
- Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964-66, POL ADEN-UAR. Secret. Drafted by Seelye on February 6; cleared by Davies and Officer in Charge of U.K. Affairs Thomas M. Judd; and approved by Jernegan. Repeated to London, Jidda, Taiz, Dhahran, and Aden.↩
- Telegram 1816 from Cairo, February 12, reported that an Embassy officer had met with Presidency Director Hassan Sabri al Khouli to discuss the question of UAR propaganda attacks on Aden. Al Khouli responded that such attacks had been purely defensive but that in view of the recent British release of political detainees in Aden, UAR propaganda attacks on Aden had ceased. (Ibid.)↩