78. Editorial Note
After receipt of the message from Lord Home (Document 77), at 5 p.m. on July 2, 1961, Washington time, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Burke directed a 24-hour delay on any new orders for the Solant Amity forces and specifically ordered no patrol or other commitment for any U.S. ships. (Operations/Military Policy Matters, J–3/J–5 Directorates, July 3; Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Country Series, Kuwait, 6/61–7/61) At 12:52 p.m. on July 3, Secretary Rusk told British Ambassador Caccia over the telephone that in view of the British military buildup and developments in the area, the United States was inclined to disengage U.S. forces headed for Kuwait. At 2:20 p.m. that day, Rusk told Deputy Defense Secretary Gilpatric during a telephone conversation that chances were high that the United States would suggest to the British that the United States stand down Solant Amity because of the British military buildup and Iraqi statements regarding a peaceful settlement. At 4:02 p.m., Caccia thanked Rusk over the telephone for all the United States had done and said that because of the improved situation the United Kingdom no longer considered it necessary for Solant Amity to continue toward Bahrain. At 4:19 p.m., Rusk telephoned Clifton to inform President Kennedy that Solant Amity had been turned around in full coordination with the British Government. (Memoranda of telephone conversations; Department of State, Rusk Files: Lot 72 D 192, Telephone Conversations)