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

433. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Saudi Arabia¹

Washington, April 7, 1967, 11:53 a.m.

170451. Yemen Mediation.

Following are proposed Terms of Reference which should be presented both UAR and SAG as soon as possible in accordance special instructions being sent separately:²

“TERMS OF REFERENCE

1. USG Undertakings:

• —to name a Special Representative acceptable to both parties who shall seek to reduce current tensions between the UAR and Saudi Arabia.
• —to prepare, on the basis of the Special Representative’s discussions with interested parties, general guidelines for settlement of the dispute over Yemen. These guidelines would form the basis of subsequent detailed negotiations among the parties using USG continuing good offices as desired.
• —to terminate its conciliation effort at such time as the Special Representative determines that one or the other of the parties is not observing its solemn undertakings as listed below.

2. UAR Undertakings:

• —to cooperate with the Special Representative in carrying out the USG undertakings noted above.
• —during the conciliation period, to refrain from aggressive acts or hostile propaganda against Saudi Arabia or Saudi Arabian forces which would prejudice the conciliation effort.

3. SAG Undertakings:

• —to cooperate with the Special Representative in carrying out USG undertakings noted above.
• —during the conciliation period, to refrain from aggressive acts or hostile propaganda against the UAR or UAR forces which would prejudice the conciliation effort.”³

Katzenbach

1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967-69, POL 27 YEMEN. Secret; Exdis. Drafted by Brewer on April 4; cleared by Hare, Bergus, Battle, and Walt Rostow; and approved by Secretary Rusk. Also sent to Cairo.
2. Telegram 170460 to Jidda, April 7, transmitted talking points that the Ambassador was instructed to use when he saw Faisal to present the terms of reference transmitted in telegram 170451. Telegram 170459 to Cairo, April 7, instructed Nes to present the terms of reference to the UAR Government through the usual channels, i.e., el-Feki at the Foreign Office and Al-Khouli at the Presidency, since there were protocol obstacles to a meeting between a Charge and President Nasser. Nes could, however, note that the terms were being presented by Ambassador Eilts personally to the King and indicate that he was at Nasser’s disposition if the latter wished. (Ibid.)
3. In telegram 6142 from Cairo, April 8, Nes reported that, in view of UAR sensibilities, he was deleting “aggressive” from the second paragraph of the respective UAR and Saudi undertakings as given in the Department’s telegram. Telegram 171462 to Cairo and Jidda, April 8, instructed both addressees to drop the adjectives “aggressive” and “hostile” from the Terms of Reference. (Ibid.)