Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume XVIII, Near East, 1962–1963

151. Memorandum From Robert W. Komer of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)⁰

Washington, February 7, 1963.

McGB—

Progress (or rather lack of progress) report on Yemen. Royalists appear to be ahead again, partly because YAR/UAR actions seem to have alienated many of tribes (Baidhani canned partly for this reason).

But UAR is sending further reinforcement. As we’ve said, Nasser has tiger by the tail, and can’t afford to let go. Instead he’s more likely to up the ante again.

Meanwhile our effort to sell Bunker to SYG as mediator has struck rock of U Thant’s reluctance to seem a US stooge. He’s miffed at us on several counts. We’re trying to get Arabs to insist on an American but we’ll end up with SYG’s choice.¹

UK is still stalling on YAR recognition, though Talbot softened them a bit in London.² I’m urging we press Faysal harder, before Nasser acts up again. Conclusion—this peanut war will be with us a long time yet.

Bob K

0. Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Countries Series, Yemen, 2/62. Secret.
1. Instructions to and reports from USUN are in Department of State, Central File POL 27 YEMEN.
2. The Embassy in London transmitted to the Department of State in airgram A–1858, February 19, a memorandum of Talbot’s conversation with Deputy Under Secretary Sir Roger Stevens that took place in London on February 6. (Ibid.) For text, see the Supplement, the regional compilation.