Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume XXI, Africa

86. Memorandum of Conversation⁰

Washington, September 19, 1963, 9:30 a.m.

SUBJECT

• Algerian Developments

PARTICIPANTS

• The President
• Mr. G. Mennen Williams, Assistant Secretary
• Ambassador William J. Porter
• Mr. Robert Komer, White House Staff

The President asked about the significance of Ben Bella’s cabinet reshuffle. Mr. Porter said it appeared that the Algerian President is gathering around him people whom he considers to be completely loyal to him personally.

The President then inquired concerning Ben Bella’s personal philosophy.

Ambassador Porter said Ben Bella considers himself to be a foremost African revolutionary figure, and that much of what he says in public is said with that in mind. He added that Mr. Ben Bella is a zealot who makes every move with great vigor. His take-over of 12,000 French farms last spring without giving much thought as to whether markets in France could be preserved or what kind of administrative system would replace the French farmers, was a case in point. Mr. Ben Bella feels convinced of the need to do such things swiftly rather than negotiate about them. He states that swift action is necessary in the interest of his people. The Ambassador expressed the belief that there would be more drastic moves of an economic nature, and the principal question now is whether the French will find the fortitude to live with the difficulties Ben Bella will create for them in this and other fields.

The President then inquired concerning current French aid to Algeria and Governor Williams and Ambassador Porter outlined the importance of the French to Ben Bella both in terms of aid and trade as well. Governor Williams asked the Ambassador to comment on the significance of the recent Russian credit of $100 million. Mr. Porter said that the details of this credit have apparently not yet been negotiated, adding that the figure seemed to have been published, as in previous cases, for its propaganda impact. In any case Mr Porter said, if the total sum were available to the Algerian Government today it would hardly meet the Algerian administrative budget deficit over a period of four months.

The President then inquired concerning Ambassador Guellal; whether he enjoys a close relation with Ben Bella. Governor Williams and Mr. Porter expressed the belief that this is the case. The President asked Governor Williams if Guellal is getting the proper attention in Washington. Mr. Komer and Governor Williams assured him that the Ambassador received considerable attention here. Mr. Porter said that he had the impression from talking to Ambassador Guellal that the latter is worried about acts and attitudes of his government, and that when Mr. Porter expressed the fact that reports indicate Castro may be in Algiers about November 1, Ambassador Guellal did not deny this.

The President said we should do what we can to prevent Castro from visiting other countries and he inquired what could be done to hamper such a visit. Ambassador Porter said if French and Arab (especially Egyptian) cooperation could be obtained that something could be done to diminish the propaganda impact of such a visit. The President inquired whether cutting off aid should be considered in this connection. Mr. Porter and Mr. Komer expressed the belief that this would not produce desired results.

Mr. Komer recalled that the President had indicated a willingness to see Ben Bella if the latter comes to the United States. The President said that he does not think this would be a good idea if a week later Castro showed up in Algiers. Something might be arranged if Ben Bella came to the United States some time after such a visit by Castro to Algiers. Governor Williams suggested that the difficulties for us in this connection should be made clear to Ambassador Guellal.¹

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 1 ALG. Confidential. Drafted by Porter and approved by the White House on September 23. The conversation was held at the White House.
1. On September 23, during a luncheon meeting with Guellal, Williams emphasized that the prospect of another encounter between Ben Bella and Castro would have an adverse effect on the timing of a meeting between President Kennedy and Ben Bella. The Ambassador said that he had already stressed the sensitive nature of this matter to Ben Bella, who had assured him that he had no desire to embarrass the President. Guellal added that he would make these points to Ben Bella if he came to the United Nations. (Memorandum of conversation; ibid., POL ALG-CUBA)