150. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Morocco0
1977. Following highlights conversations between President, U.S. officials, and Moroccan King and Ministers for information only; contents should not be discussed with foreign officials. This is uncleared and subject to amendment upon review of memcon. Guidance for other purposes will follow later.
Bases: King throughout conversations stressed obligation vis-à-vis Moroccan people to see his father’s agreement on US withdrawal, which he viewed as political testament, faithfully executed. President at opening session expressed US intention carry out agreement withdraw from three air bases on schedule. King repeated oral assurances Mohamed V had given President Eisenhower that, after evacuation, bases would not be used by any other country. He confirmed this publicly by telling National Press Club Morocco wanted no foreign bases on its soil.
Reconversion: Moroccans laid heavy stress throughout conversations on future use air bases and interest in US assistance toward reconversion. Balafrej said Moroccans contemplating possible transfer Marrakech Air School to Ben Guerir and plan convert Sidi Slimane to other civil uses with help joint US-Moroccan private capital enterprise. Nouasseur to be converted to civil airport with US assistance in reconversion [Page 230] in form loan on mutually agreed terms. Problem disposition property of bases upon evacuation discussed at some length. US officials explained restrictions under US law; further expressed willingness consider possibility turning over some material for Moroccan use, possibly under military aid program. King mentioned possibility temporary caretaker detachments Ben Guerir and Sidi Slimane pending preparation specific plans reconversion.
Kenitra: Moroccans stated intention use Kenitra base for Moroccan armed forces. US indicated willingness assist in training Moroccan military personnel to develop requisite skills for operation base and in telecommunications; as long as US personnel are employed in this capacity, US shall continue bear cost of operating Kenitra base at about present level of expenditure. King suggested French at Marrakech School as model; invited officer of “President’s household” visit and observe.
Form of Agreement: Balafrej incorporated understanding in agreed letter to Secretary (text by separate telegram)1 which Secretary acknowledged as “reflecting understandings reached.”
Aid: Secretary presented aide-memoire indicating US readiness continue PL 480 and technical assistance at present levels and, for FY 1964, supporting assistance type commodity loans at $15 million and dollar repayable loans (DL) at minimum level $5 million and, for FY 1965, SA type loans at $10 millon and DL at minimum level $10 million. (Text aide-memoire being pouched Rabat.) King expressed dissatisfaction at figures but did not press subject. At one point, he asked President cost of removing Kenitra facilities to another location; he was told about $10 million. In final meeting with President, King said nature arrangements arrived at during visit changed both nature and intensity relationship. King expressed understanding difficulties in obtaining additional appropriations and expressed full trust in President and Administration to do best possible. President explained Administration subjected severe pressure because of Clay Report (which Moroccans well aware of) and of balance of payments deficit to make severe cuts. President pointed out reduction in US presence after 1963 and, while emphasizing desire help Morocco regardless of question of bases, stressed very large share US aid to Africa which has gone to Morocco. He explained desire change aid pattern to development loans. President added it is intent of US to do as much as possible but he did not want any possible feeling later that he had acted in bad faith in not later increasing indicated aid levels; President said he thought only possibility increase was through Development Loans.
[Page 231]VOA: Balafrej, referring to agreement worked out in Morocco, said for all practical purposes, agreement had been reached and it only remained determine amount of time during which VOA transmitters would be put at disposal GOM.
IBRD-IMF Meeting: Question raised only briefly by Balafrej with Secretary. Slaoui met with IBRD-IMF and turned over dossier on Moroccan preparations for Casablanca meeting. Now apparently up to IBRD-IMF decide on basis dossier.
Military Assistance: Moroccans did not raise, except for training. US mentioned $5 million Naval MAP package in initial aide-memoire given to Balafrej, but there was no further discussion.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL MOR-US. Secret; Limit Distribution; Noforn. Drafted by Newsom; cleared by Ferguson, Fredericks, Witman, Rowe, and Rusk (in draft); and approved by Newsom. Repeated to Algiers, Paris, Madrid, London for USNAVEUR, CINCEUR, and POLADCINCSAC.↩
- The agreed English text of the March 29 letter from Foreign Minister Balafrej to Secretary Rusk was sent to the Embassy in Rabat on March 30. (Telegram 1979; ibid.)↩