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

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

Washington, November 17, 1966, 5:05 p.m.

86582. Amman 1045 (Notal), South Arabia.²

1. Deptel 85204³ outlines some current Department views on South Arabia.

2. We continue keep in close touch with British re developments there and re extent their planned military and economic assistance to independent South Arabia. Seems abundantly clear, however, judging both from Fon Sec Brown’s categoric statement to UNGA Oct 11 and private discussion with Secretary at that time, that British firm in their decision evacuate South Arabia both politically and militarily by 1968. At same time their promise of military aid at least through 1970 and their apparent expectation to provide economic assistance indicate fairly substantial UK interest in new state will continue.

3. Despite agitation in various quarters (e.g., London, Amman, Tunis, Jidda) by SAF and SAL leaders for UK (and US) security guarantee, British (and we) are not disposed to comply. Regardless of whether some security arrangement might ultimately be useful, its absence at this stage provides major pressure for conflicting South Arabian factions to coalesce in support a single state in face of need to be responsible for their own security. Contrary to SAFG argument reported reftel, a security guarantee at this juncture would probably reduce pressure for cohesion.

4. Major immediate hope for bringing progress in South Arabian situation is early establishment of active and continuing UN presence. We intend continue support British efforts bring this about and believe area states interested in future South Arabia would be well advised to give similar support.⁴

Rusk

1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964-66, POL 19 ADEN. Secret. Drafted by Moore; cleared by Mary J. Sommer (EUR/BMI), Frederick H. Sacksteder, Jr. (AF/AFN), Gabriel J. Paolozzi (IO/UNP), and Atherton; and approved by Davies. Sent to Cairo, London, Jidda, Kuwait, Taiz, Amman, Baghdad, Beirut, Aden, Dhahran, USUN, CINCSTRIKE, and Tunis.
2. Telegram 1045 from Amman, November 7, reported that Prime Minister Tell informed the Ambassador that, during their recent visit to Amman, the SAF Foreign and Information Ministers asked that he and King Hussein urge the United States and the United Kingdom to enter into a security defense pact with the South Arabian Federation. The ministers argued that, unless such a pact was created, the United Arab Republic would easily succeed in subverting Aden after the British withdrawal in 1968 leading to “another Yemen” in South Arabia. (Ibid.)
3. Dated November 15. (Ibid.)
4. On December 12, by a vote of 96 (including the United States) to 0 with 3 abstentions, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 2183 (XXI) requesting the Secretary-General, in consultation with the Committee of 24 and the administering Power (the United Kingdom), to appoint immediately a special mission to be sent to Aden for the purpose of recommending practical steps for the full implementation of previous UN resolutions, in particular for UN participation in the preparation and supervision of elections. For text, see American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1966, pp. 544-545. The United States announced that it supported the resolution because of its firm belief that a special UN mission should go to Aden.