Memorandum from Joseph Grew to President Harry S. Truman

DEPARTMENT OF STATE WASHINGTON May 1, 1945 MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT Subject: Suggested Establishment of Diplo- matic Relations with the Yemen Mr. Clark, American Consul in Aden, acting on instructions from the Department, recently made a visit to the Imam (King) of the Yemen at Sanaa. Mr. Clark has reported that the Imam and the Royal Princes extended to him courtesies and facilities not hitherto extended to any foreigner. In the course of their conversations, the Yemeni authorities stated that the Yemen wished to enter into a treaty of friendship and commerce with the United States, that it desired to employ American technicians to aid in development plans, and that it would welcome economic and cultural assistance from the United States. The Yemeni authorities added that they feel that the United States is the only country on which they can rely for disinterested help. The Imam is particularly interested in securing medical supplies and the services of an American doctor without delay. Mr. Clark repeats unverified reports of the existence in the Yemen of rich deposits of various minerals including petroleum. The Yemen is one of the few indépendent countries of the world with which the United States has no diplomatic relations. In view of American RECORDS