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

63. Paper Prepared in the Department of State¹

Washington, September 2, 1965.

SUBJECT

• British Position in Aden and the Persian Gulf

The British, because of the importance of Persian Gulf oil, have been particularly concerned with maintaining their primacy in the Gulf, especially Kuwait. Their military deployment along the rim of the Arabian Peninsula has been geared speedily to implement the Anglo-Kuwaiti defense agreement of 1961. Aden, with a military base of some 14,000 British and Colonial troops, is the major logistic and command post for this deployment. However, because of growing local nationalist opposition, it is also the weak link in the Peninsular defense chain. To meet nationalist sentiment, HMG is attempting to groom for ultimate independence the South Arabian Federation, a loose grouping of semifeudal shaikhdoms comprising much, but not all, of the Protectorate, to which the more modern, prosperous, developing city of Aden has been joined. Within Aden, nationalist activity is centered in the combined People’s Socialist Party and Aden Trade Union Congress (PSP-ATUC) and in the UAR-inspired National Liberation Front. The PSP-ATUC has publicly dissociated itself from the wave of terrorist activities in recent months in Aden and the Protectorate for which the National Front has claimed responsibility.

In a Constitutional Conference in London in June 1964, HMG and the Federation leaders agreed that SAF independence would take place no later than 1968, that a new constitution would be drawn up providing for a bicameral legislature elected by direct means where practicable, and that the UK would surrender its sovereignty over Aden State as soon as possible. UK interest in retaining the military base was recognized. Subsequently the Federation rulers, with HMG approval, announced their intent to establish a unitary state. The PSP-ATUC rejected the results of this conference and demanded more rapid independence with a broader democratic base. British attempts to hold a further constitutional conference in March 1965 and, subsequently, to bring a fact-finding commission to Aden were thwarted by radical nationalist opposition. A July 1965 meeting in London of representatives of all Adeni and Federation political elements also foundered over Adeni insistence that HMG agree to evacuation of the military base and to immediate lifting of emergency security measures. The British insisted that the former was a subject for negotiation with the future independent Federation government and that the latter was impossible in the face of increasing terrorist acts. (In the last days of August and first of September the terrorists moved into a new phase of activity with the assassination of two ranking British civil officials in Aden.) There are no current indications of how the British now propose to move forward toward establishment of a constitution.

HMG’s attitude concerning the Yemen Arab Republic is dictated by its concern for the future of the SAF and the threat to the Federation which it feels is posed by a UAR-dominated Yemen. It views with particular concern support stemming from Cairo, as well as Yemen, for subversion activities by the National Front, whose members have frequently publicly espoused a Yemeni irredenta movement.

Under the spur of economic necessity, HMG is currently undergoing an intensive review of its world-wide defense commitments. Consideration is being given in some quarters to cutting British troop strength in the Aden-Gulf area. The decisions taken as the result of this review will have a direct bearing on the course of British policies in Aden.

1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, NEA/ARP Files: Lot 67 D 619, Political Affairs & Rel.—POL 2-a, Middle East General, 1965, Talbot-Mansfield Briefing Book. Secret. Drafted by Moore and cleared by Davies.