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

92. Information Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs (Battle) to Secretary of State Rusk¹

Washington, May 9, 1967.

SUBJECT

• Revised UK Timetable for Leaving South Arabia

1. Under cover of an Exdis letter, Embassy London has reported to us the following revised details regarding the British plan for withdrawal from South Arabia:

• —Independence on January 1, 1968.
• —A British carrier task force to remain off-shore for six months thereafter (2 of 3 British carriers are already in South Arabian waters).
• —No defense treaty.
• —Thought of South Arabia’s achieving early UN membership has been abandoned. 2. In addition to the foregoing, Lord Shackleton wants an RAF squadron kept in Aden for three months after independence. The Foreign Secretary disagrees but is willing to have Shackleton state his case to the Cabinet Defense Committee. This Committee, followed by the full Cabinet, is expected to complete its deliberations on the revised plan by May 16 at the latest. The Foreign Secretary hopes for the first reading in Commons of an Enabling Act empowering HMG unilaterally to legislate South Arabian independence. (This would not require divulging details.) How much the British reveal in the subsequent Commons debate about the independence plan and the carrier task force will depend on the then existing circumstances.

1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967-69, POL 19 ADEN. Secret; Exclusive Distribution. Drafted by Brewer and cleared by Davies.