152. Memorandum from Secretary of State Rusk to President Kennedy0
SUBJECT
- Follow-up on King Hassan’s Visit
REFERENCE
- NSAM 232
The Departments of Defense and State, including the Agency for International Development, have agreed on actions required to follow up on the visit of King Hassan of Morocco. These actions, in response to the questions raised in NSAM 232 are summarized below with a tentative timetable. The full report is enclosed.1
- 1.
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Military Training and Timetable
Brigadier General McHugh of your staff visited, as the King had suggested, the Moroccan Air School at Marrakech, on April 8, accompanied by US Navy and Embassy representatives. Their observations of the austere French presence at Marrakech are being studied by our Embassy, CINCEUR representatives, and the US Naval Commander in Morocco. [Page 233] Washington agencies are preparing an initial negotiating position for Ambassador Ferguson, with the intent that negotiations with the Moroccan Government should begin early in May. The establishment of the training program at Kenitra will be set up under a Moroccan command with US personnel in an advisory capacity. Efforts will be made to reduce both the evidence and size of the US presence.
- 2.
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Development Loans
AID is presently screening its Development Loan possibilities to determine those capable of early implementation. Subject to confirmation by the Ambassador that the Moroccans are ready to enter substantive discussions, a loan team will go to Morocco between May 15 and May 25 to speed up consideration of loan projects. The Ambassador will in advance and under instructions acquaint the Foreign Minister generally with our procedures, stressing the need for prompt cooperation. AID can provide consulting services to assist loan application preparation and can consider base conversion projects for loan applications.
- 3.
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Conversion of Sidi Slimane and Ben Guerir (and Nouasseur in addition to civil airport)
AID is prepared to provide assistance through Development Loans if projects meeting loan criteria can be developed. The initiative lies primarily with the Moroccans, although AID is prepared to advise and assist on specific proposals.
Property disposition procedures are being proposed to the Moroccans to provide methods by which equipment necessary to the constructive use of the base complexes may be made available. Opportunities which might interest private enterprise will be brought to the attention of US companies. On GOM request, maintenance after December 31, 1963, can be provided temporarily (from MAP funds); GOM will be asked to insure against pilferage.
- 4.
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Nouasseur Conversion to Civilian Airport
An FAA team in Morocco has reported its preliminary findings in its examination of Nouasseur’s possible conversion to civil use, finding a great deal of necessary equipment already available. The FAA will have made a full report by June 15.
- 5.
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Property Disposal
An aide-memoire to GOM proposing a joint Moroccan-American team to examine disposition of base property has been agreed to and sent to the Embassy and presented to the GOM.2 US law requires reimbursement to the Air Force for non-excess property. Means of providing such reimbursement from US financing are being determined. MAP funds [Page 234] can be used by DOD for financing non-excess property required for conversion of the bases to Moroccan military uses, or, subject to resolution of the legal and other questions involved, through transfer to AID for financing non-excess property required for conversion of the bases for economic development purposes.
(Approximately $3 millon of MAP funds in FY 1963 are available for these two purposes.)
- 6.
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To Build on Good Feeling Created by Visit
Cognizance has been taken of the need to carry out our commitments as quickly as possible, to seek to meet the King’s problems, to make unobtrusive our future requirements, and through follow-up contacts with the Foreign Minister and the King to show an interest in Moroccan views in international problems and to keep them informed, as appropriate, of our policies in Africa and the Middle East.
In conclusion
The need to guard closely our future plans has been reemphasized, but there is always the danger of speculation creating problems. Moroccan dissatisfaction with the FY 1963 Supporting Assistance level has been noted and simplified procedures suggested whereby the available funds, while not increased, can at least be made quickly available.
Some actions are of an interim nature; full development of a response will require several weeks. This, our initial report, will be supplemented as necessary, at the latest by July 30.
The tentative timetable for the next three months envisaged as a result of these actions follows:
MAY
1—SAC units leave Ben Guerir to be relocated at Nouasseur. Begin negotiation between Ambassador and Moroccan Foreign Minister on training program at Kenitra. Establishment of joint US-Moroccan group for identification of major items of movable US property on bases essential to constructive use of base complex.
15-25—An AID loan team will proceed to Morocco to examine possible loan projects, subject to confirmation by the Ambassador that the Moroccans are ready to enter substantive discussions.
Approach by Ambassador in advance and under instructions to acquaint the Foreign Minister generally with our loan procedures and stress the need for prompt cooperation.
JUNE
1—Given agreement between Ambassador and Foreign Minister on general principles involved in establishment training program at Kenitra, open negotiations on details between Senior US Naval Officer, Kenitra, and Moroccan military authorities.
[Page 235]15—Report of FAA Team on Reconversion of Nouasseur. Inform Moroccans of recommendations after AID/W review and approval on an urgent basis (possibly one week). Begin action by AID to secure necessary consulting services to assist GOM with feasibility studies and other data required for development loan applications. (Several months will be required.)
30—Determination prior June 30 of property desired by Moroccans which may be made available to the Government of Morocco.
JULY
15—Initial Moroccan application on Development Loan for Nouasseur conversion, expected no earlier than July 15. Subject to delays by Moroccans. After initial application has been fully documented and submitted, three months required for approval loan application.
31—Completion of determination of how selected available equipment on bases can be turned over to Moroccans.