67. Editorial Note
On July 1, 1962, the Algerian people voted overwhelmingly for independence in cooperation with France. On July 3, President De Gaulle issued a proclamation formally recognizing Algerian independence. For text, see American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1962, page 812. The White House issued a statement by President Kennedy recognizing “national independence for the Algerian people” on the same day. (Ibid.) Immediately following De Gaulle’s proclamation, Ben Bella, who had been Vice Premier in the Provisional Government headed by Ben Khedda, disassociated himself from the PAG. The United States decided to postpone formal recognition of an Algerian Government or establishment of full diplomatic relations until the relationship between the competing factions was clarified.
On July 6, Porter reported from Algiers on Dahlab’s statement that the PAG and the Provisional Executive (PROVEX) had agreed to divide responsibilities by mutual consent, with the PAG running foreign affairs and the PROVEX administering the country. Porter said that he believed that if Dahlab’s statement remained uncontested by the PROVEX, the United States should recognize him as Foreign Minister. (Telegram 38 from Algiers; Department of State, Central Files, 751S.00/7-662) On July 7, the Department of State instructed the Embassy in Algiers that it would authorize Porter to deliver to Dahlab a letter accrediting Porter as Charge d’Affaires in Algiers, once Porter was fully satisfied that PROVEX was in accord. The Department, however, questioned whether it was “juridically or practicably feasible” to separate such action from recognition of the Provisional Algerian Government under Ben Khedda, and noted that statements to the press should emphasize the provisional nature of the PAG pending the choice of a permanent government by the Algerian people. (Circular telegram 33 to Algiers; ibid., 751S.00/7-762)
On July 9, Komer wrote Bundy that he had told the Department of State that the White House would want to clear any accreditation of Porter to the PAG, which would strengthen the hand of the Ben Khedda faction. He added that he had previously agreed with State that this was “highly desirable though a calculated risk” but that the Embassy in Paris had strongly objected so the matter was being reappraised. (Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Meetings and Memoranda Series, Staff Memoranda, Robert W. Komer)
On July 13, Rusk cabled Williams, who was in Bonn, that the PAG and the PROVEX had both notified the U.S. Government that Dahlab was responsible for foreign affairs in Algeria and that an official in Dahlab’s ministry had informed Porter that the PAG was satisfied to have U.S. representation continue at the Consulate General level until after the elections on August 12. He added that the split between Ben Bella and the [Page 98] PAG under Ben Khedda continued. (Telegram 126 to Bonn; Department of State, Central Files, 751S.00/7-1362)