107. Memorandum of Conversation1
SUBJECT
- UK Withdrawal from South Arabia
PARTICIPANTS
- The Secretary
- Sir Patrick Dean, British Ambassador
- Mr. Allen Urwick, First Secretary, British Embassy
- Mr. William D. Brewer, Country Director, Arabian Peninsula States
Sir Patrick called at 10:00 a.m. on November 1 to inform the Secretary in advance of the November 2 British announcement on withdrawal from South Arabia. Sir Patrick said that withdrawal would be completed “within the second half of November” but that the exact date still remained open. In announcing this in Commons on November 2, the Foreign Secretary would also make clear that the previously scheduled naval and air deterrent forces for South Arabia were being cancelled due to the changed situation in both Yemen and South Arabia. The Foreign Secretary would also announce that decisions on post-independence British military and economic support to South Arabia would have to be taken at a later date. London simply had to suspend judgment until the future could be seen more clearly and an opportunity provided for discussions with a new government. Mr. Brown would also underline the continued readiness of the High Commissioner in Aden to negotiate if the nationalists wished to do so. However, British withdrawal would go forward whether or not such negotiations took place.
Sir Patrick added that it had also been decided that Perim and Kamaran Islands would go to South Arabia, subject to any UN action on internationalization of Perim. The Kuria Murias would be ceded to Muscat. No announcement on these points would be made on November 2.
The Secretary asked what would happen following the British withdrawal. Sir Patrick replied that the UK simply did not know. The NLF/FLOSY talks in Cairo were apparently not going well. No government might be formed. However, if serious trouble broke out, it now looked as if it might be contained within South Arabia. The Secretary [Page 233] wondered whether the nationalists might ask, and receive, Egyptian troops. Sir Patrick replied that he thought not, noting that the UAR withdrawal from Yemen was proceeding.
The Secretary asked about post-independence naval dispositions by HMG. Sir Patrick said that naval forces now in Aden waters (two carriers) would cover the final withdrawal phase. He had no information regarding subsequent dispositions but undertook to inquire of London. The Ambassador stressed that these British actions in no way reflected on HMG’s determination to remain in the Persian Gulf.
The Secretary observed that, even though the Egyptians were leaving Yemen, this did not mean that their forces could not turn up in South Arabia, or that other foreign elements might not intrude. We would very much hope that the UK would continue to support the South Arabian Army, one of the few elements of stability in the current situation, until the local situation became firmer. Sir Patrick said that a Military Advising and Training Mission would be standing by to take up its duties with the South Arabian Army on fourteen days’ notice, but that it would not be sent without a further decision.
For Sir Patrick’s information, the Secretary went over brief Department press guidance designed to meet expected questions on November 2, following the British announcement. The Ambassador indicated that he thought the comments would be helpful.
On leaving, the Ambassador said that the British were similarly informing King Faisal, the Shah and the Amir of Kuwait in advance. He was uncertain whether the UN Mission on Aden was also being informed. In response to the Secretary’s question, the Ambassador said that King Faisal did not seem to have much influence in South Arabia but was most concerned about the current British policy.
After leaving the Secretary, an opportunity was provided to go over the British guidance in detail. Mr. Urwick made clear that the British would decide on November 13 the exact date on which withdrawal would be completed and said that it would fall in the period November 22 to 30. He said that the removal of the air deterrent referred specifically to the proposed stationing of V bombers on Masirah Island. In the event that no government was formed prior to the British departure, Mr. Urwick opined that the British position of suspending judgment on future financial aid to the new state would continue to obtain. Negotiations on the subject could be initiated by the future British diplomatic mission in Aden whenever an acceptable government was established.
- Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967-69, POL 16 ADEN. Confidential. Drafted by Brewer on November 3 and approved in the Office of the Secretary of State on November 7.↩