§ 131. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the present situation on the Aden-Yemen frontiers.
§ Mr. MaclayRecent incidents on the frontier between the Aden Protectorate and the Yemen have been a continuation of trouble that has persisted for a considerable time. These incidents have taken the form of raids and attacks by Yemeni tribesmen, supported in some cases by Yemeni troops, on two sections of the frontier—the territories of the Amir of Dhala and of the Amir of Beihan. In Dhala border raids have been accompanied by subversion and incitement to armed revolt by means of bribes of arms30W and money and by blatant radio propaganda; and in Beihan attacks have been made on Beihan tribesmen.
The incidents have been slight in themselves, involving few casualties on either side, but have been greatly exaggerated by false Yemeni propaganda, reinforced by the Cairo and Communist Press and radio. These aggressions have been met by Protectorate security forces acting in support of local Protectorate Rulers and reinforced, when necessary, by British troops from Aden Colony and by the Royal Air Force
Recently the Government of the Yemen have adopted a policy of accusing British forces in the Protectorate of aggression in the Yemen and of attacks on Yemeni towns. These charges are untrue and have been repeatedly denied by Her Majesty's Government: they are deliberate distortions of the defensive measures in the Protectorate which Yemeni aggression and subversion have compelled us to take to protect friendly Rulers and tribes-people.
I am glad to say that a proposal has now been made that British and Yemeni officers should meet on the frontier to discuss the situation. This proposal has, after consultation by the Governor of Aden with the local Protectorate Rulers, been accepted by Her Majesty's Government, on condition of Yemeni withdrawal from positions occupied by them in Beihan and to the restoration of customary Beihani water rights with which the Yemenis have interfered. I hope that these talks will soon take place, and lead to peaceful relations between Yemeni and British protected tribes in these frontier regions, and that the Yemeni authorities will cease instigation of raids and subversion and incitement of rebellion in the territories of our friends the Protectorate Rulers.