Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XXIV, Africa

143. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Morocco¹

Washington, March 1, 1968, 2359Z.²

123593. Joint State/AID. Refs: Tasca/Palmer Telcon Feb. 26, Tasca/Straus Telcon Feb. 29, Rabat 3030.³

1. Total aid levels for Morocco have been arrived at after most thorough consideration, in light Country Team recommendations and given reduced prospects for FY 1969. These levels reflect sustained and in some respects upward trend in US aid to Morocco; they also compare most favorably with programs elsewhere in Africa and clearly establish Morocco as one of primary countries of concentration.

2. Among nine development emphasis countries in Africa Morocco only emphasis country with 1968 aid increase over 1967, one of two emphasis countries with ’69 increase over ’67. DLs in ’68 more than four times ’67 level, ’69 proposal nearly three times ’67 level. TC/DG in 1968 nearly twice 1967, ’69 more than twice ’67.

3. There will naturally be fluctuation from year to year in level components, e.g. development loans, of over-all program any country, and we agree it is unfortunate if these appear out of context to give false impression magnitude of US effort. Nevertheless, what remains important is total contribution and trend, and in this sense Morocco need envy no other country in Africa or in Arab world. At time when we are having great difficulty making equitable aid cuts elsewhere because of reduced Congressional appropriations, this is notable evidence of importance US attaches to Morocco’s development efforts.

4. We have given fullest consideration to Rabat’s 3030. You will in due course be receiving report of SIG policy discussion February 15 on Morocco and other North African countries. You will see among other things that SIG carefully noted unusual significance of major 5-year development program on which Morocco about to embark, approving for this reason continued high level of US support. Agricultural sector loan, increased emphasis food program, contemplated regional wheat productivity scheme are particular manifestations of US forward-looking interest in Moroccan economic development.

5. PL 480 authorization documents are in the process of clearance by BOB.⁴ We have reached finding under Symington Amendment that Morocco not unduly diverting resources from economic development to military procurement. This finding will enable early clearance cereals project.

6. We can understand your concern about declassification AID figures, but pros and cons declassification issue for all countries led to agency-wide decision that declassification necessary for purposes Congressional presentation. No exception can be made.

Rusk

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, AID (US) MOR. Confidential; Priority. Drafted by McCall in AID/AFR/NA and Root, cleared by Claus W. Ruser in U/SIG and Straus in AID/AA/AFR, and approved by Palmer.
2. Beginning in late 1967, the dates and transmission times of all outgoing Department of State telegrams were in 6-figure date-time-groups. The “Z” refers to Greenwich mean time.
3. No record of these telcons has been found. In telegram 3030, February 26, Tasca reported that he was disappointed to learn the levels of FY 1969 aid for Morocco, and that he hoped the Department would reconsider them. (Ibid.)
4. On March 26, the President approved a $16.2 million P.L. 480 agreement for Morocco. (Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Morocco, Visit of King Hassan, 2/9–10/67)