Office of the Historian

470. Circular Telegram From the Department of State to Certain Posts1

Washington, January 4, 1968, 0030Z.

92898. 1. Addressees may find following useful in continuing keep appropriate host govt officials up to date re current situation in Yemen:

A.
We have no evidence combat flights by Soviet pilots since early December. Yemeni ex-PriMin al Ayni reliably reported to have said Soviets stopped combat missions after Yemenis attempted press them for increased assistance. Soviet Ambassador said to have remarked: “Russians never flew planes in Vietnam and they are not going to get involved in the Yemen war.”
B.
Soviet Ambassador left Yemen after mid-December for consultations Moscow. He was followed by departure numbers Soviet economic aid technicians. Unclear whether several Soviet diplomats may remain in YARG capital but Russian Embassy seems to have moved to Hodaydah amid stories Republican annoyance USSR “pulling out.” However, so far as we aware inputs of Soviet materiel are continuing.
C.
Military situation around Sanaa little changed in recent weeks. While city itself in full YARG control it remains isolated by Royalists and dependent air supply for essential items. With Ramadan now over, further fighting seems likely with YARG seeking reopen surface communications while Royalists try tighten noose.
D.
In part due continuing military stalemate, diplomatic efforts find some compromise solution have recently been reviewed. Each Soviet counselor, in recent talk with Italian Charge in Sanaa, has indicated growing Russian recognition re desirability of political settlement. Arab Tripartite Committee on Yemen has renewed its efforts find settlement and is seeking arrange 15-man preparatory committee meeting Beirut January 12 to select Yemeni participants for a proposed national reconciliation conference (State 91905 Notal).2 YARG issued public statement December 30 accepting Tripartite Committee good offices. Royalists publicly have expressed skepticism their side will receive [Page 865] adequate representation, but Saudis have welcomed Committee’s new initiative while expressing concern re Soviet military intervention.
E.
USG position has been limited to public confirmation December 13 early evidences Soviet activity together with continued diplomatic encouragement for an Arab political solution as envisioned under Khartoum agreement (State 84178 Notal).3 We have made clear USG has not in past, nor is it now giving arms to Royalists, and that YARG claim Americans are serving as mercenaries with Royalists is ridiculous (State 84504).4
F.
We continue believe that foreign military intervention in Yemen only likely to increase level of tension in region. As Under Secretary Rostow made clear to Italian Ambassador December 30 (State 91625),5 we consider indigenous Arab political solution is most sensible approach. We continuing watch situation carefully and believe other friendly states should also do what they can encourage current efforts achieve indigenous political solution to Yemen problem without further intervention from outside.

Rusk
  1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967-69, POL 27 YEMEN. Secret. Drafted by Dinsmore and Brewer on January 3; cleared by Vladimir Toumanoff (EUR/SOV), Chief of the South Asia Division in INR’s Office of Research and Analysis for Near East and South Asia Thomas P. Thornton, and Director of INR’s Office of Research and Analysis for Soviet Bloc Helmut Sonnenfeldt; and approved by Battle. Sent to Aden, Algiers, Amman, Beirut, Cairo, Jidda, Kuwait, London, Moscow, Rawalpindi, Tehran, Tel Aviv, Tripoli, and Tunis.↩
  2. Circular telegram 91905, January 2. (Ibid.)↩
  3. Circular telegram 84178, December 13, 1967. (Ibid.)↩
  4. Circular telegram 84504, December 14, 1967. (Ibid.)↩
  5. Dated December 30, 1967. (Ibid.)↩