Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XXI, Near East Region; Arabian Peninsula

159. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Southern Yemen¹

Washington, November 5, 1968, 2355Z.

267326. Subject: Southern Yemen/US Relations. Ref: Aden 1796,² 1797.³

1. Department believes protracted delay in responding to PRSYG October 20 note could only provide further opportunity misunderstanding, perhaps leading hostile elements in PRSY to conclude USG embarrassed by unfounded accusations. On basis conversation reported Aden 1795,3 it appears that PRSYG “proof” of US involvement likely to be no more than possession some American-made arms and ammunition and cases with USG handclasp insignia. Whether or not pictures of such items forthcoming, we believe formal and forthright rejection charges of USG involvement would emphasize our position that discovery of such weapons in hands anti-PRSYG elements would in no way denote USG involvement or hostile intent toward PRSYG. Believe you should therefore seek early appointment with Foreign Minister Dhalai or his deputy to transmit formal USG response, substantive portion of which contained in following paras. (unessential words omitted):

2. “USG firmly and categorically denies that the USG is in any way engaged in hostile activities against the government and people of PRSY. Assertions to that effect by the PRSY authorities are unfounded and have been repeatedly refuted by the US Charge d’Affaires in Aden.

3. “The USG has no knowledge of the provenance of the arms, ammunition, or foodstuffs which are said to have been captured by elements of the PRSY armed forces on the Beihan border on October 14-15, 1968. The USG would of course be willing to examine any documentary evidence which might be presented to it by PRSYG in support of its charges and, if the evidence warrants, to conduct an investigation to determine whether any violation of USG laws or regulations might have occurred. In the meantime, however, the USG must point out that the presence, even if confirmed, of arms of American manufacture or of shipping cases bearing USG insignia could not be construed as evidence of USG ‘cooperation with and approval for’ an attack on the sovereignty, security, independence, or stability of PRSY as asserted in the PRSYG note of October 20. Many billions of dollars worth of arms have been manufactured in the United States during and after World War II. Some of these arms are now distributed widely throughout the world by private dealers having no connection with the United States Government. PRSY itself could prove the validity of this point by making such purchases itself. That some American-made arms may have found their way into the hands of elements unfriendly to PRSYG can thus in no way be construed as evidence of the intentions or actions of the USG.

4. “USG policy, which has been conveyed to PRSYG on numerous occasions by our Charge d’Affaires in Aden, is to seek to maintain friendly relations with government and people of Southern Yemen. USG is deeply disturbed that responsible PRSYG officials have chosen to make public and unfounded charges against USG. These charges have been aired over government-controlled radio and in the PRSY press before USG has been given any opportunity to comment upon their accuracy or any evidence on which such allegations might be based. USG has noted with regret that PRSY press and radio have been conducting violent anti-American campaign alleging existence of ‘proof’ of USG involvement in PRSY internal affairs. USG takes this opportunity to point out that not one shred of evidence has yet been presented to document these charges.

5. “The USG believes that reiteration of such charges by responsible PRSGY officials and by the PRSY press and radio can only serve to increase misunderstandings between our two governments and peoples. The result will be to undermine the basic goodwill which the American people and their official representatives have always exhibited toward the people of Southern Yemen and their government and render more difficult the establishment of mutually beneficial relations between our two countries. USG representatives, whether in Aden or in Washington, stand ready at any time to discuss frankly and in a friendly fashion any concerns which PRSYG may have which could unfavorably affect the relations between PRSYG and the USG.

6. “USG takes this opportunity to reaffirm to PRSYG that USG policy has always been, and continues to be, support for the maintenance of peace and stability in the Arabian Peninsula and opposition to the use of force or threat of force in settlement of disputes in the area.”

7. In presenting foregoing, Charge may, if he deems useful, make following oral comments: (a) despite prompt USG recognition of PRSYG and establishment Embassy Aden to seek develop friendly relations, we note PRSYG has yet to make any move to open normal relations with USG here, either by establishment Embassy in Washington or development bilateral contacts on part PRSYG UN representative; (b) unsupported allegations such as those refuted in our note are of the “have you stopped beating your wife” character which cannot satisfactorily be countered and thus raise basic question as to why they are being made; and (c) we would accordingly be interested in Foreign Ministry comments as to PRSYG policy towards USG.⁴

Rusk

1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967-69, POL 23-9 S YEMEN. Confidential. Drafted by Brewer and Brooks Wrampelmeier (NEA/ARP) on November 4, cleared by Davies and Katzenbach, and approved by Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs Parker T. Hart. Repeated to Jidda, London, and USUN.
2. Telegram 1796 from Aden, October 30, transmitted an unofficial translation of a Southern Yemen Government note dated October 20 to the U.S. Government stating that the “forces of mercenaries and traitors” who had battled PRSY forces on October 14-15 had been armed with American-made weapons that had been captured by government forces. The note alleged that the presence of American arms, ammunition, and food-stuffs with the mercenaries directed by Saudi “reactionaries” could only be interpreted as U.S. cooperation and approval of the attack, and asked that the U.S. Government submit a clear explanation of how such materials were in the possession of mercenary elements. (Ibid.)
3. Dated October 30. (Ibid.)
4. In telegram 1818 from Aden, November 7, Eagleton reported that he met for half an hour with the Foreign Ministry’s Acting Permanent Secretary, Abdul Qawi Rashad, to deliver the U.S. response and discuss the deterioration of U.S.-PRSY relations. After ascertaining that Rashad did not intend to publicize the U.S. denial, Eagleton told him that the United States would be issuing a brief press statement. (Ibid.)