477. Airgram From the Department of State to Certain Posts1
CA-8598
Washington, June 11, 1968, 9:28 a.m.
SUBJECT
- Capsule View of Situation in Yemen
In the course of a discussion with an Italian Embassy Officer June 5, Department officers made the following observations on the situation in Yemen: [Page 877]
- 1.
- A military solution of the Yemen problem is not possible.
- 2.
- The solution must be a peaceful one.
- 3.
- The United States will not take sides.
- 4.
- Both Republican and Royalist elements must compromise.
- 5.
- If no solution of Yemeni political differences is forthcoming, the effects on the Western position are unlikely to be serious unless a continuation of the civil war should stimulate the Soviet Union markedly to increase its own position in the country.
- 6.
- We have the impression that the Soviets have been less active in Yemen during the last several months. They may have learned that the Yemen Arab Republic Government will hardly be able to establish its control throughout the country even with major foreign help, and that the YAR is not representative enough to control the turbulent population. Moreover, Eastern Europe may be claiming the USSR’s attention, giving Yemen a low rating in the Soviet scale of priorities at the present time.
Rusk
- Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967-69, POL 27 YEMEN. Confidential. Drafted by Dinsmore, cleared by J. Stapleton Roy (EUR/SOV) and William B. Dozier (EUR/AIS), and approved by Brewer. Sent to Addis Ababa, Aden, Asmara, Beirut, Jidda, Kuwait, London, Mogadiscio, Moscow, Rome, and Tehran.↩