31. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Morocco0
113. Ambassador Bengelloun telephoned, having just talked to Rabat, to take sounding on U.S. attitude if, in his words, continued fighting by Algerians at instigation UAR at Figuig or elsewhere should oblige GOM to take matter to UN since, in GOM’s opinion, understandings reached at Bamako would then clearly no longer be applicable to new situation, [Page 38] i.e., attempts by ANP with UAR help to capture Moroccan city across a frontier which has never been contested.
He was told question premature; we remain convinced African forum is preferable and consider it should be tried in light of (1) new cease-fire as of 1030 GMT, this time with Malian observers, (2) Haile Selassie presence in UAR now where his views on foreign intervention expressed Belgrade likely be conveyed to Nasser, and (3) Balafrej’s recent telegram urging haste in convoking Foreign Ministers on acting OAU President Doudou Thiam.
In reply his complaint Dept fails to deplore UAR intervention publicly, we said we had been strong in our protest to Nasser1 but believed strongly any public statement on our part likely create additional polemics and make it more difficult for him to back down. Bengelloun accepted our assertion that too early resort to Security Council would likely result in its referring matter to OAU but with GOM in role of having tried to avoid OAU consideration of conflict.