Office of the Historian

11. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Algeria1

Washington, June 23, 1964, 5:04 p.m.

2512. For Ambassador. Deptel 2461.2 Aberkane of Algerian Embassy today informed Department Ben Bella had responded favorably to Secretary’s suggestion re possible desirability quiet and discreet joint inquiry into source allegations CIA activities Kabylie.

Unless you perceive objection, request you contact appropriate level Algerian Government and say DCM prepared to discuss matter of meeting of representatives suggested during Washington conversation Secretary-Guellal. DCM should take line (1) US desires any new information Algeria has; (2) repeat in detail previous position; and, (3) unless Algerians indicate they can provide new data, endeavor to close matter by reiterating fact US not supporting opposition to Ben Bella.3

Rusk
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 1 ALG–US. Secret. Drafted by Blake on June 22; cleared by Tasca, Harriman, and Hughes; and approved and initialed by Secretary Rusk.↩
  2. Document 10.↩
  3. Telegram 47 to Algiers, July 7, reported that the Department of State informed Ambassador Guellal on July 6 that Norris Haselton had been appointed to meet with a designated Algerian representative in Washington for a joint examination of these allegations. (Department of State, Central Files, POL 9 ALG–US) On July 13, Assistant Secretary Williams sent a memorandum to Secretary Rusk reporting that Guellal had referred the matter to his government, which had hoped the examination could take place in Algeria. (Ibid.)↩