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

215. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Kuwait¹

Washington, November 25, 1967, 1942Z.

74837. 1. Charge requested deliver to FonMin following personal message from Secretary:

“Excellency:

Thank you for your recent letter which I have just received through Ambassador Cottam.² I appreciate your taking the time in these difficult days to bring your views directly to my attention. I fully share your view that relations between Kuwait and the US are based on solid friendship, mutual interest and fruitful cooperation, and share your determination to keep these ties firm and enduring.

The recent debate at the UN on the Near East has been a difficult and trying time for us all. I know that you and we have done everything we can to assure that moderation prevails and a climate is created in which a mutually acceptable settlement can be envisioned. It is a source of great gratification to me that these efforts have now been rewarded. The unanimous action of the Security Council on November 22³ in approving a resolution on the Near East gives us all a particular opportunity, which may not recur, to try to resolve outstanding problems on a basis acceptable to both sides.

The fact that the Council approved unanimously a set of principles including withdrawal of armed forces from occupied territories, termination of claims or states of belligerence, secure and recognize boundaries, and other points which have been the focus of recent discussion in New York, is a clear manifestation of world opinion. It should materially assist the Secretary General’s Special Representative in his efforts to help the parties in the working out of appropriate solutions.

The Council’s action, and what we understand to be the willingness of the parties to cooperate with the Special Representative, are encouraging. For its part, I wish to assure Your Excellency that the US Government is prepared to use all its diplomatic and political influence to assist the Special Representative in helping to establish lasting conditions of peace in the region.

It was a pleasure to see Your Excellency in Washington last summer. I would like to thank you again for your recent letter.

With warm regards,

Sincerely, Dean Rusk”

2. Dept planning no publicity here and suggests there be none in Kuwait. Suggest you make this point to FonMin.

Rusk

1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967-69, POLKUW-US. Confidential. Drafted by Brewer, cleared by UNP Director Elizabeth Ann Brown and Davies, and approved by Rusk.
2. An unofficial translation of the Foreign Minister’s undated message is attached to a November 24 memorandum from Battle transmitting a draft of telegram 74837 to the Secretary for his signature. (Ibid.)
3. Reference is to Resolution 242; for text, see American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1967, pp. 616-617. Documentation on the Six-Day War and Resolution 242 is scheduled for publication in Foreign Relations, 1964–1968, volume XIX.