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

24. Memorandum From Robert W. Komer of the National Security Council Staff to President Johnson¹

Washington, July 26, 1965, 6 p.m.

Meeting with Algerian Ambassador, 11:30 July 27. He carries an “oral message” from Boumedienne, but we suspect it merely says Algeria wants good relations with us. State’s brief is attached² and the following talking points might be of use:

1. Your regards to Boumedienne, and Ambassador should assure him we too hope for better relations.

2. We’ve long felt that first priority of any new government is to provide better life for its own people. We’ve tried to be helpful to Algeria in this respect.

3. US is fully aware of differences between itself and Algeria on issues like Vietnam. But we hope that Algerians will at least be truly non-aligned on such issues. Vietnam is not a matter of US preventing independence of small nations; on the contrary, we see ourselves as fighting for South Vietnam’s independence from Chicom domination.

4. All we ask is mutual respect, which has not always been forthcoming in the past.

• R.W. Komer
• McG B ³

1. Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Algeria, Vol. I, Memos & Miscellaneous, 12/63–7/65. Secret.
2. Not printed.
3. The source text bears Komer’s typed signature but was initialed by Bundy.