Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume XXI, Africa

120. Paper Prepared by the Ambassador to Morocco (Bonsal)⁰

Rabat, August 14, 1961.

CURRENT UNITED STATES RELATIONS WITH MOROCCO

[Here follows the body of the paper.]

Summary of Recommendations

The recommendations contained in this memorandum may be summarized as follows:

1. That we deal with the Moroccan Government as a relatively popular and relatively stable government and that we abandon our concern about overidentification.

2. That the survey group to study post-1963 uses of the bases and to make recommendations thereon be activated and despatched to Morocco without delay (perhaps, however, not until after the Soviet pilots and technicians have departed).

3. That we submit an offer to the King covering a long-term relationship in the field of military aviation training and materiel supply.¹

4. That we prepare and submit a detailed offer covering the use of the naval communications facilities at Kenitra after 1963 for submittal to the King as soon as possible.

5. That we make a thorough re-examination of the justification from the U.S. point of view of maintaining these communications facilities on Moroccan soil after 1963.

6. A decision is required as to policies to be followed by us in the event promises regarding the departure of the Soviet pilots and technicians are not implemented. (This was mentioned to Balafrej again on August 14—he gave fresh assurances.)

7. That the Embassy and USOM be in a position to initiate negotiations with the Government of Morocco for the FY-1962 Aid Program as soon as possible after October 1.

8. That similarly we be in a position to initiate negotiations for the third slice of the Military Assistance Program during the fall of this year.

9. That a date be established for Balafrej’s visit to Washington and be communicated to him as soon as possible.

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.71/8-1461. Attached to a transmittal memorandum from Bonsal to Director of the Office of North African Affairs Witman, dated August 14. On August 24, a copy of Bonsal’s recommendations was sent to Robert Komer at the White House. (Ibid., 611.71/8-2461)
1. On August 8, the Department of State Executive Secretary, Lucius D. Battle, sent a memorandum to Frederick G. Dutton at the White House concerning the King of Morocco’s dissatisfaction with the lack of U.S. aid to the Moroccan Air Force, a subject in which the President had expressed an interest. It noted that Hassan had expressed some bitterness to Ambassador Bonsal on July 28 over the fact that the possibility of Morocco receiving U.S. jets, which he had discussed with General Wade in January, had never materialized. The memorandum pointed out that the removal of Soviet personnel had clearly been a stipulation of any such offer, and that Ambassador Yost had subsequently indicated that Moroccan requests for U.S. aid to the Moroccan Air Force would be sympathetically considered. (Ibid., AF/AFN Files: Lot 63 D 250, M-12 Moroccan Air Force 1961)