Internal political situation: Persian Gulf and Arabian Peninsular

This file relates to the prospect of independence in South Arabia. It contains correspondence concerning:

• US intervention with the United Arab Republic Foreign Minister and President Gamal Abdul Nasser to encourage a constructive attitude towards British efforts to achieve a constitutional settlement and orderly transfer of power in South Arabia (44, 66, 76)
• Contact between US Embassy officials and the Front for the Liberation of Occupied South Yemen (FLOSY), and British willingness to accept any constitution as long as it is generally acceptable (68, 73)
• B L Strachan's talk with Adeni journalist Mohammad Barakat about terrorism in Aden and the political situation in Saudi Arabia. Barakat claims that terrorism in Aden had been organised by Abdulla Al Asnag and supported by Nasser to keep Britain busy in Aden and draw attention away from Yemen (78)
• The arrival of former sultan Ahmad Bin Abdulla Al Fahdli and Amir Garbel Bin Hussein in Beirut; and a BBC apology to the Foreign Office for a World Service commentary (81)
• D J McCarthy's talk with US Consul General Curtis F Jones about Egyptian support for nationalists and subversive activity in South Arabia (82)
• The minutes of a Cabinet committee on South Arabia (85)
• A conversation between Abdulla Al Asnag and members of the US Embassy in Cairo about the need for direct talks between Britain and FLOSY (86-87)
• A statement issued to the press by FLOSY emphasising that the federal government delegation did not represent any constitutional or popular authority and giving reasons for ignoring the delegation (89)
• Provisions for religious liberty in the draft constitution for the Federation of South Arabia (90)
• Reuters correspondent Noel Hudson's talk with Makawee about FLOSY's plan to tour Arab countries to explain its position (93)
• A memorandum on the 'Unified State of South Arabia' from the Resident Adviser and British Agent in Mukalla to the Deputy High Commissioner in Aden. It includes consideration of the question of the Qa'iti Government's future relationship with the rest of South Arabia (95)
• Recommendations for making local military and police forces in South Arabia, including the Hadhrami Bedouin Legion, better equipped for independence. It includes a report on the defence requirements for the Federation of South Arabia after Britain's withdrawal and the incorporation of the Eastern Aden Protectorate into a unified South Arabia (102)
• A message from Mohammad Bin Laden stating that he was leader of an influential group of Hadhramis living in Saudi Arabia and wished to cooperate with HMG to ensure a sound future for South Arabia. The British are keen to use his influence (106)
• Reference to independence in South Arabia at the NATO Middle East experts meeting (108)
• The murder of Abdulla Abdul Majed Salafi at Sheikh Othman; and the arrest of Tawfiq Ali Fara Ubali Secretary of the Civil Aviation Workers and Employees Union (110)
• A protest by the Somalian Government about recent attacks against Somalian employees of the Aden Government (113)
• A conference in Beirut between a federal ministerial delegation and opposition leaders (117).