153. Memorandum From Robert W. Komer of the National Security Council Staff to President Kennedy0
Attached [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] message from King Hassan1 shows he’s getting worried about his growing isolation. He clamped down hard on his opposition before last week’s local elections [Page 236] and [less than 1 line of source text not declassified]also probably upset over reports that Ben Bell a is training dissident Moroccans. Behind Ben Bell a he sees Nasser, so is looking to us for reassurance.
We think a prompt [less than 1 line of source text not declassified]reply is in order and will have a draft shortly. While we too see some evidence Ben Bell a and Nasser would prefer to get rid of Hassan, it’s probably best not to enhance his [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] fears. Instead, this is a good chance to plug the same line we’ve pushed with the Shah—the best way for a king to survive is to run a progressive government.
- Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Countries Series, Morocco. Top Secret.↩
- Not printed. On July 29, the King had asked Lieutenant Colonel Canton to convey a message to President Kennedy through Navy communications channels. Hassan stated that there were new and most dangerous threats to the African continent, particularly the North African nations, from Russian and Chinese Communism. Noting that Nasser’s aim was to dominate North Africa, he warned that the United Arab Republic had also become very dangerous and that Ben Bell a was aligning himself with Communist ideology. These facts indicated a definite pattern of subversion, infiltration, and an attempt to isolate Morocco and to create a dangerous wedge between black and white Africa. The King said Morocco desired a much stronger attachment with the West, especially the United States, and wanted to join in combating these subversive forces.↩