Office of the Historian

154. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Morocco0

Washington, August 7, 1963, 6:39 p.m.

340. Ref: COMNAVACTS PORT LYAUTEY MSG M 301635X. Embtel 177. Charge requested seek private audience with King and convey following oral message in response to King’s message sent through Colonel Canton.1FYI, President desires Canton accompany you to indicate we appreciate meaning of private channel through which King’s message conveyed. End FYI.

1.
President pleased continue fruitful exchange begun during Washington talks and appreciates King’s analysis recent African developments. He fully agrees we must be on guard against new rash of Communist blandishments triggered by sharpened Sino-Soviet competition in Africa as elsewhere.
2.
President also shares King’s concern over threat of subversion to nations trying to make economic progress through orderly constitutional means. He has thought a lot about this since taking office and early concluded that, while every government must naturally be alert to its [Page 237] own internal security, equally important that government be so identified with meeting of popular needs as to deprive potential opposition of popular support. He believes well-organized reform, an effectively implemented development program, and government responsive to popular needs are the most effective weapons to this end.
3.
President is seriously concerned over possibility raised by King that Morocco becoming increasingly isolated from other African nations. Past performance proves King’s ability to take an important role in African councils. US has been impressed with recent African steps toward closer cooperation, and President hopes King will find means resume his role and become an important constructive influence.
4.
President aware apprehensions in many states concerning activities and frequently stated aspirations UAR. In dealings with Cairo government, US has always made clear it cannot condone activities directed against other free states Middle East and Africa. US also aware that aftermath Algerian war and resulting adjustments have created potentially serious problems as well as new opportunities in relations between new Algerian state and neighbors. While not agreeing with Algerian leaders on some issues, US has sought encourage by its aid those seeking reconstruct country. US has also welcomed such signs of rapport between Algeria and neighbors as those which followed Rabat Foreign Ministers conference in February. US willing express to Algiers, as it has to Cairo, its opposition to activities directed against other independent states of the area.
5.
President is especially pleased to have King’s reassurance of desire for close association with West, particularly US, and appreciates King’s support for mutually beneficial working relationship at Kenitra. President in turn reaffirms strong US interest in success of King’s regime, as conveyed in Washington talks.
6.
In this connection, President notes with satisfaction successful financial negotiations with France and King’s personal effort to improve relations with Spain. He is pleased, too, that plans are being discussed for the conversion of Nouasseur Air Base to a civil airport and hopes we can conclude satisfactorily on schedule arrangements for turnover of air bases. President assures King US will continue to help Morocco within limits its resources in accordance with their conversations in March, though any aid program depends for its success more on recipient than on donor.
Ball
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, DEF 15 MOR-US. Secret; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Newsom; cleared by Hilliker, Komer, and Hinman (AID); and approved by Fredericks.↩
  2. See footnote 1, Document 153.↩