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

262. Memorandum From the Deputy Director of the Bureau of International Security Affairs, Department of Defense (Stoddart) to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (Nitze)⁰

Washington, June 3, 1963.

SUBJECT

• Status of UAR-Saudi Disengagement in the Yemen

The actual dispatch of a UN observer group to the Saudi-Yemen border to supervise the disengagement negotiated by Ambassador Bunker still remains on dead center in New York. The Soviet Ambassador pleads no instructions from Moscow, and the Secretary General (SYG) is, as yet, unwilling to act in the face of probable Soviet insistence on a Security Council meeting, which the SYG hopes to hold tomorrow (Tuesday). The SYG has, however, told the Soviet Ambassador that, if he does not have instructions by today, the SYG will dispatch the advance party of the observer group regardless.

Meanwhile, Under Secretary Bunche indicates that preparations for the advance party are virtually complete. General Von Horn has indicated it will consist of 36 people, 12 of whom will be officers. Of these three will be Americans, for whom clearance has already been asked; the remainder will be drawn from the Netherlands, Italy, France, Australia, and Canada, all of whom have already agreed but the last two. The advance party will have its main group in Sa’na, a planning group in Beirut, a liaison officer in Jidda, and two observers in Hodeida. Once the advance party is established, the SYG expects to send observers primarily from Scandinavia, Yugoslavia, and Canada, if acceptable to the countries directly interested.

Assuming the Soviets insist on a Security Council meeting—primarily because of their insistence that the SYG not spend UN funds without Council approval—the SYG plans a short statement indicating his plans and a summing up by Council President Quaison-Sackey of Ghana. If the Soviets make a statement, others will want to reply and a short resolution may be necessary. The UAR, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia have agreed not to participate and the SYG is determined to avoid any resolution on the financing of the observer group. He is, therefore, most anxious that the UAR and Saudi Arabia agree to share the expenses of the group.

Reports persist that the political situation in the Yemen is deteriorating and that the Sallal regime cannot last. This finds some support in that three alleged coup plotters in Yemen were executed on 28 May and Sallal is believed to be seeking a union with the UAR as a way to save his regime. However, Sallal is planning a trip to Cairo, Damascus, Baghdad and probably Algiers, travel which would be unlikely if he expected an early coup.

Jonathan D. Stoddart¹

0. Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OASD/ISA Files: FRC 65 A 3501, Yemen 000.1–1963. Confidential. Drafted by Evans. Copies were sent to William Bundy and Sloan. Stoddart was the Deputy Director for the Near East, South Asia, and Africa Region.
1. Printed from a copy that bears this stamped signature.