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

444. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the United Arab Republic¹

Washington, May 4, 1967, 9:40 a.m.

187506. 1. After consultation with Nes, Brommell should approach Saleh Nasser and pass following message. We leave to discretion Nes and Brommel exact phrasing of message so that most effective presentation can be achieved.

2. Begin message: “Saleh Nasser’s assurances that Liapis and Hartman would be released have been reported to Washington. These assurances well received as men are innocent and enjoy diplomatic immunity.² However there is another very serious problem.

3. USG officials have been denied access to AID buildings Ta’iz for more than one week. While denial access has been in name YARG authorities, inescapable fact is AID building under effective control of UAR military authorities. Our people in Yemen have clearly observed that guard detachment comprised of UAR military police commanded by UAR officer.

4. AID building in Yemen was considered by us as part of our diplomatic mission to that country and was treated as such. Consequently it contains archives and other US diplomatic papers. We frankly concerned that UAR authorities may seek to exploit this situation and attempt major penetration US interests.

5. We wish to make it clear that any attempt at penetration will raise serious doubt as to intentions and motives of UAR.

6. If the UAR believes it in its own interest to avoid such a situation, it should at once facilitate arrangements whereby the property and archives of the United States can be returned, uncompromised, to safekeeping by authorized representatives of the United States.”

Rusk

1. Source: Department of State, INR/IL Historical Files, Roger Channel Telegrams, Cairo. Secret; Flash; Roger Channel. Drafted by Bergus; cleared by Battle, Walter W. Harris, Jr. (NEA), and James R. Gardner (INR/DDC); and approved by William McAfee of INR/DDC.
2. A May 10 memorandum from Rostow to Johnson informed the President that the UAR Foreign Minister promised that the two U.S. AID men in Yemen would be out of jail by May 15, and noted that the United States had evacuated all but a skeleton crew from Yemen. Rostow commented: “We don’t think Nasser staged the incident in Yemen to get us out. However, once Egyptian mishandling on the scene created an opening, Cairo gave vent to its emotions and played it out for its full propaganda and intelligence advantage.” (Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, United Arab Republic, Vol. V) Rostow’s memorandum is printed in Foreign Relations, 1964–1968, vol. XVIII, Document 417. The two Americans were released on May 17.