Office of the Historian

456. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Saudi Arabia1

Washington, August 2, 1967, 1524Z.

14947. Ref Jidda 383.2

(1)
Re SAG interest in what USG had in mind in its public reference to support of international action to deal with gas problem3 (para 4 reftel), you may inform Masud following response Dept spokesman to press question August 1 as to whether US trying to collect its own evidence on gas warfare situation: “No, I would not say that this is a case in which the United States is trying to lead the field. We have been concerned about the reports. We would like to see the countries most affected take some initiative and as I indicated before we would be prepared to support any appropriate international action.”
(2)
FYI. Understand British may shortly approach us on this problem (London 714).4 We have no preconceived notions on this subject but character USG support would certainly take account of specific international action which might be proposed by state or states directly concerned. End FYI.
Rusk
  1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967-69, POL 27-10 YEMEN. Secret; Limdis. Drafted by Brewer; cleared by Sieverts, Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Organization Affairs David H. Popper, and Daniel Brown (NEA/P); and approved by Battle. Repeated to Geneva, London, and USUN.↩
  2. Dated July 30. (Ibid.)↩
  3. On July 27 Robert J. McCloskey, Director of the State Department’s Office of News, told a press conference that the United States continued to be deeply disturbed by the many reports regarding use of poison gas against civilians in Yemen, condemned such actions as inhumane and entirely contrary to the laws of nations, and would support international action to deal with this problem. (American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1967, pp. 630-631)↩
  4. Dated July 28. (National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967-69, POL 27-10 YEMEN)↩