Office of the Historian

137. Memorandum From the Joint Chiefs of Staff to Secretary of Defense McNamara1

JCSM–361–67
Washington, June 21, 1967.

SUBJECT

  • Arms Policy for Morocco (U)
1.
(S) The Government of Morocco has requested that the US Government affirm that it is prepared to supply arms which Morocco wants to purchase. In answer to this request, Morocco was informed that the US Government could not give a specific response but that the situation was being examined in light of all prevailing circumstances in North Africa and the Middle East.
2.
(S) In view of the importance of maintaining US influence in the moderate Arab nation of Morocco and in the interests of avoiding a polarization which would align all Arab States with the USSR, the Joint Chiefs of Staff consider that the US Government should be responsive to Morocco’s request. Failure to be responsive at this time may reinforce the deep Arab suspicion about US exclusive support for Israel. Refusal of the Moroccan request may seriously jeopardize the continued use of the US Naval Communications Station and Voice of America facilities in Morocco. Loss of the cooperation of Morocco will have an adverse effect on the US strategic position on the southern littoral of the Mediterranean.
3.
(S) The Joint Chiefs of Staff reaffirm their recommendation in JCSM–780–66, dated 19 December 1966, subject: “Sales Package for Morocco (U),”2 that a sales package to the Government of Morocco be approved and recommend that an early decision be made to inform the Government of Morocco that:
a.
The outstanding grant Military Assistance Program and foreign military sales items will be delivered expeditiously.
b.
The US Government is prepared to deliver specific items as soon as possible and to discuss the specific composition of the remainder of the arms sale package with Morocco.3
For the Joint Chiefs of Staff:
Earle G. Wheeler
Chairman
Joint Chiefs of Staff
  1. Source: Department of Defense, JCS Files, 9118.3 (17 Nov. 1966). Secret. The source text is attached as an Appendix to a “Note by the Secretaries to the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Arms Policy for Morocco” (JCS 2409/6).↩
  2. Not printed. printed↩
  3. On July 20, 1967, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs William E. Lang sent a memorandum to the Director of the Joint Staff that reads: “The President has approved proceeding with the negotiation and programming of the $14 million credit agreement for Morocco. Delivery of items in the grant and sales program remains suspended.” (Ibid.)↩