Office of the Historian

83. National Security Action Memorandum No. 2210

Washington, February 20, 1963.

MEMORANDUM TO

  • The Secretary of State
  • The Secretary of Defense
  • The Director of Central Intelligence
  • The Administrator, Agency for International Development
  • The Director, United States Information Agency
  • The Director, Peace Corps

SUBJECT

  • U.S. Policy Toward Algeria

I generally approve the Plan of Action for Algeria in the Secretary of State’s memorandum to me of 2 February 1963, responding to NSAM 211.1

All concerned should bear in mind the need for a program commensurate with our policy interests in this key North African country. While we want France to shoulder the lion’s share of the burden, we also want to increase our own influence. For example, I should like to be advised if it should appear highly desirable to exceed somewhat the $15 million FY 1964 AID level currently projected.

Since Prime Minister Ben Bella has requested assistance from the Peace Corps and the Algerians need just the sort of help the Peace Corps is peculiarly suited to give, I hope it will be able to respond if other commitments permit.

John F. Kennedy
  1. Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Meetings and Memoranda Series, NSAMs, NSAM-21. Secret. A copy was sent to the Director of the Bureau of the Budget.↩
  2. Document 81.↩