185. Letter From President Nixon to King Faisal1
Your Majesty:
Since our meeting in Washington,2 my government has carefully reviewed the question of how the United States might help the Yemen Arab Republic in response to Your Majesty’s request. The importance of Yemeni economic progress under moderate leadership to the security of the Arabian Peninsula is clear to us, as are the many problems of reconstruction and development which face the Yemen Arab Republic at this time. We have been pleased to learn that the Government of Yemen may be interested in resuming diplomatic relations with the United States.3
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s determination to assume primary responsibility for assuring sound progress in the Arabian Peninsula is [Page 573] something that we warmly welcome.4 The surest defense against Communist and radical activity in the Peninsula is a strong Saudi role in fostering regional cooperation to achieve prosperity and orderly development throughout the area.
In the case of Yemen, my government wishes to support this Saudi role. In response to your request, I am prepared to authorize a modest new American aid program for Yemen if diplomatic relations with the United States are restored. Ambassador Thacher can explain our thoughts to Your Majesty in more detail,5 but I would like to note that our proposals are all designed to provide opportunities for a primary Saudi investment role in projects which will serve the Saudi interest in Yemen. It is my earnest hope that our countries can cooperate in this manner.
The Government of Yemen is being informed of our readiness to provide assistance to certain economic development projects there at such time as relations are resumed.6 As I have indicated to Your Majesty before, we would welcome the restoration of diplomatic relations with all Arab countries and the closest possible cooperation with them in the future.
Your Majesty and the people of Saudi Arabia have my very best wishes for the blessings of health, prosperity and peace.
Sincerely,
- Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 761, Presidential Correspondence 1969–1974, Saudi Arabia: King Faisal ibn Abdal-Aziz Al Saud, 1971. No classification marking.↩
- See Document 151.↩
- Reported in telegram 625 from Sanaa, September 12. (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 641, Country Files, Middle East, Yemen, Vol. I)↩
- Telegram 3240 from Jidda, September 13, detailed the Saudi economic initiative to Yemen. (Ibid., Box 630, Country Files, Middle East, Saudi Arabia, Vol. III)↩
- Thacher delivered Nixon’s letter to Faisal on October 6. Thacher also asked the King to encourage the Egyptians to show restraint should Yemen decide to re-establish relations with the United States. (Telegram 3535 from Jidda, October 7; ibid.)↩
- Instructions were sent in telegram 170101 to Jidda, September 16. (Ibid.)↩