Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–4, Documents on Iran and Iraq, 1969–1972

247. Memorandum From the Under Secretary of State (Richardson) to President Nixon¹ ²

Washington, January 31, 1969

MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT—Evening Report

[Omitted here is material unrelated to Iraq]

4. U.S. Citizens Detained by Iraqi Government— At our request the Belgians (our protecting power in Baghdad), the French, the British and the Indians have over the past several weeks made diplomatic representations in Baghdad in an effort to secure the release of two Americans, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Bail. We have also proposed that King Hussein of Jordan and King Feisal of Saudi Arabia directly approach Iraqi President Bakr. We are in continuous touch with Bails’ relatives, concerned Congressmen, and Esso, Bail’s employer. In order not to jeopardize the Bails’ chances of release, we are seeking to keep publicity to a minimum.

[Omitted here is material unrelated to Iraq]

Elliot L. Richardson

1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, President’s Daily Briefing, Box 1, February 1–8, 1969. Secret. This memorandum was for the President’s Evening Reading.
2. In the Evening Report, Richardson notified the President of attempts through third parties to achieve the release of Americans imprisoned in Iraq.