352. Memorandum From the President’s Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) and Robert W. Komer of the National Security Council Staff to President Johnson1
You may be hearing from Rusk shortly about growing tension in the Middle East, particularly a new flare-up in the Yemen civil war. This is no Cyprus crisis, but could have still painful repercussions during our election campaign. If the Saudis resume aid to the Yemeni royalists, Nasser will no doubt resume bombing Saudi supply bases, in which case Faysal will scream for help. The British, who strongly disagree with our policy of pouring oil on troubled waters, have been at us hard to unleash Faysal, even at the expense of our relations with most other Arabs.
Though the Arab Summit seems at first glance to have been a dud, we also may have renewed muscle flexing toward Israel or a Jordan crisis. Either of these could bring new Israeli aid pleas just before the election, and new attacks on our Arab policy.
We assume that your own feeling about the Middle East is the same as your view on the Malaysia issue last week, i.e. we certainly don’t want another war on our hands for at least two months. This word from you was very helpful in getting State to calm down the British. A few similar cautionary words about the Middle East on Tuesday would encourage State to weigh in with Arabs, Israelis and Englishmen as well. In our judgment, this would be a quite useful [Page 664] noise. I’ll bring it up Tuesday & give you a chance to comment if you want.2
- R. W. Komer
- McG. B.