68. Central Intelligence Agency Information Report0
[document number not
declassified]
Washington, July 10,
1962.
SUBJECT
- 1.
- Comments of Ahmed Ben Bella on U.S. and Moroccan Policy Toward Algeria
- 2.
- Comments of Mohamed Laghzaoui on Moroccan Policy Toward Algeria
- 1.
- Mohamed Laghzaoui had discussion with Ahmed Ben Bella 9 July 1962. Ben Bella requested that Laghzaoui inform United States Govt representatives with whom he is in touch that Ben Bella is friendly to U.S. and supports Evian Accords. However, Ben Bella said that he expects U.S. to maintain a neutral policy vis-à-vis Provisional Algerian Govt (PAG) and himself, keeping in mind that his differences with PAG are purely internal Algerian matters, revolving around a minority (PAG) attempt to seize power from the majority (Ben Bella) (Army of Liberation).
- 2.
- Should U.S. not maintain complete neutrality, Ben Bella can guarantee nothing. Ben Bella expressed himself as particularly wary of an overt United States neutrality which did a behind-the-scenes support for PAG. Ben Bella would regard economic aid to PAG as indicating lack of neutrality, and military aid even more so.
- 3.
- Ben Bella said he similarly expects complete neutrality of Moroccan Govt (GOM). He is displeased by early GOM appointment of Mohamed Aouad as Ambassador to PAG.
- 4.
- Laghzaoui believes GOM policy vis-à-vis PAG and Ben Bella is, as yet, ill-defined (mal definie). He has advised King Hassan II to follow a neutral course because Morocco may soon find itself with another Congo right at its doors. Laghzaoui thinks King will end up by adopting a neutral policy. Laghzaoui personally thinks Ben Bella will win out in the end.
- 5.
- Laghzaoui has invited Ben Bella to lunch 11 July for further talks.
- 6.
- Field dissem: Ambassador only.1
- Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Brubeck Series, Algeria. Secret; Noforn; No Dissem Abroad; Limited; Background Use Only.↩
- On July 10, Bonsal reported to the Department of State that he wished to draw attention to Ben Bella’s statements to Laghzaoui, who had been the King’s personal representative to Ben Bella during part of his captivity. Bonsal added that he assumed it would be undesirable under current circumstances for the Embassy to have direct contact with Ben Bella. (Telegram 85 from Algiers; Department of State, Central Files, 751S.00/7-1062) On July 17, the Department of State cabled Porter that it favored a “discreet attempt” by Tron, the Consul at Oran, to establish “informal contact” with Ben Bella. (Telegram 100 to Algiers; ibid., 611.51S/7-1662) On July 18, Porter reported that Tron had called on Ben Bella at Tlemcen and that the visit had gone off “extremely well.” (Telegram 107 from Algiers, ibid., 611.51S/7-1862)↩