58. National Security Decision Memorandum 200

Summary: The memorandum lists Presidential decisions following the Senior Review Group meeting on Policy Toward Morocco, NSSM 160, November 30, 1972.

Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL 315, National Security Council, National Security Memoranda, NSDM August 1972–March 1973. Secret. For NSSM 160 and the minutes of the November 30, 1972, Senior Review Group meeting see Documents 132 and 135 in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, vol. E–5, Part 2, Documents on Northern Africa, 1969–1972.

59. Memorandum From Secretary of State Rogers to President Nixon

Summary: Rogers informed Nixon of King Hassan’s desire to receive a special envoy to examine the U.S. military presence in Morocco, and his concern over a perceived change in U.S.-Moroccan relations. Rogers suggested that Robert Murphy serve as special envoy.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 758, Presidential Correspondence, Morocco. Secret. In a letter dated January 15, Nixon informed King Hassan of Murphy’s mission. (Ibid.) In telegram 12132 to Rabat, January 19, the Department instructed the Embassy to arrange a private meeting between Murphy and King Hassan. (Ibid., NSC Country Files for Africa, Box 740, Morocco, Vol. II) In telegram 13960 to Rabat, January 24, the Department provided instructions to Murphy for his meeting with King Hassan. (Ibid.)

60. Letter From Robert Murphy to Secretary of State Rogers

Summary: Murphy reported on his January 29 meeting with King Hassan, during which they discussed the U.S. military presence in Morocco. Murphy gave an analysis of the discussion and suggested a higher profile for U.S.-Moroccan relations.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 758, Presidential Correspondence, Morocco. Secret. The report was forwarded to Nixon, February 7, under a covering memorandum from Rogers.

61. Memorandum From Director of Central Intelligence Schlesinger to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)

[Source: Central Intelligence Agency, Office of the Director of Central Intelligence, Job 80M01048A, OPI 10, Box 5. Secret. 2 pages not declassified.]

62. Memorandum of Conversation

Summary: Kissinger and Benhima discussed U.S.-Moroccan relations. Benhima expressed Morocco’s desire for a greater role in the Western Mediterranean, and improved credit conditions for arms procurement. Kissinger agreed that Morocco might play a larger regional role and asked for concrete ideas on improving bilateral relations.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 740, Country Files, Africa, Morocco Vol. II. Secret. The meeting took place in Kissinger’s office.

63. Telegram 1665 From the Embassy in Morocco to the Department of State

Summary: The Embassy summarized the discussion between King Hassan and Newsom regarding U.S.-Moroccan relations. King Hassan sought greater economic and military assistance from the United States and expressed concerns about Algeria and Libya.

Source: Washington National Records Center, ODS Files: FRC 330–800024, Box 2, Morocco, February 1973–December 1977. Secret. Repeated to Algiers, Tripoli, Tunis, and Paris.

64. Memorandum of Conversation

Summary: Kissinger and Benhima discussed U.S.-Moroccan relations, security in the Maghreb, and the Spanish Sahara.

Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL 271, Memoranda of Conversations, Chronological File, October 1973. Secret; Exdis. The meeting took place in the Secretary’s suite at the Waldorf Towers. All brackets are in the original except those indicating text omitted by the editors.

65. Letter From the Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (Jordan) to the Director of the Bureau of Politico-Military Affairs, Department of State (Weiss)

Summary: Jordan informed Weiss of Schlesinger’s decision to delay plans for a military withdrawal from Morocco.

Source: Washington National Records Center, OSD Files: FRC 330–780011, Box 68, Morocco 1974. Secret.

66. Memorandum From the Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (Jordan) to the Deputy Secretary of Defense (Clements)

Summary: Jordan provided Clements with recommended replies to Morocco’s military requests, following an April 15 meeting between Schlesinger and Benhima.

Source: Washington National Records Center, OSD Files: FRC 330–780011, Box 68, Morocco 1974. Secret. Prepared by George Bader, Director for the Africa Region OASD/ISA. Clements approved the recommendations on April 18. Handwritten notations by Clements on the memorandum read: “State running parallel action on this same position,” and “Will be coord. prior Xmittal.”

67. Telegram 2565 From the Embassy in Morocco to the Department of State

Summary: The Embassy reported on King Hassan’s frustration over the inability to reach agreement on a military assistance package for Morocco.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 740, Country Files, Africa, Morocco Vol. II. Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Repeated to CINCEUR and SecDef ISA. In telegram 2566 from Morocco, June 6, the Embassy expressed growing concern over the inability to reach agreement on a Moroccan military assistance package. Neumann noted the principal problem was financing and Moroccan dissatisfaction with U.S. terms. He argued a quick resolution was necessary to avoid an adverse impact on U.S.-Moroccan relations. (Ibid.)

68. Memorandum From Director of Central Intelligence Colby to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)

[Source: Central Intelligence Agency, Office of the Director of Central Intelligence, Job 80M01048A, OPI 10, Box 5. Secret. 3 pages not declassified.]

69. Memorandum of Conversation

Summary: Clements discussed Moroccan concerns over delivery of military equipment with Boutaleb and Dlimi. Dlimi informed Clements that King Hassan had offered U.S. Air Force and Navy bases in Morocco.

Source: Washington National Records Center, OSD Files: FRC 330–780038, Box 21, Morocco. Secret. Drafted by Bader; and approved by Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Robert Ellsworth. The meeting took place in Clement’s Pentagon office.

70. Memorandum of Conversation

Summary: King Hassan and Clements discussed Morocco’s military needs, Algeria and the Spanish Sahara.

Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box TS 35, Geopolitical File, Morocco, October 1973–July 1975. Top Secret; Sensitive.

71. Memorandum From Clinton E. Granger of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft)

Summary: Granger informed Scowcroft of the delivery of tanks to Casablanca, and Moroccan desires to have the tanks moved to another location. He noted that State planned to refuse the Moroccan request.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for Africa, Box 4, Morocco (2). Confidential. Sent for information. A copy was sent to Bob Oakley of the National Security Council Staff. Scowcroft wrote on the memorandum: “How would we help anyway?”

72. Telegram 5961 From the Embassy in Morocco to the Department of State

Summary: The Embassy recommended the Department implement the Moroccan military modernization program despite the unsettled nature of the Sahara dispute. Neumann strongly recommended immediately moving forward with a letter of offer for F–5 aircraft.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, NSC OPS Staff, Box 18, Morocco (1). Confidential; Exdis. Repeated to Algiers and Madrid. In telegram 214893 to Rabat, September 10, Kissinger informed the Embassy that DOD had been authorized to prepare a letter of offer for the F–5 aircraft, however the letter would not be presented until further review of U.S.-Spanish base negotiations, and relations between Morocco and Spain. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files)

73. Telegram 278 From the Embassy in Morocco to the Department of State

Summary: Neumann expressed concern that the pending ambassadorial change in addition to the delay in clearing the F–5 aircraft for Morocco might lead King Hassan to doubt U.S. support.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, P840098–2129. Secret; Immediate; Nodis.

74. Telegram 18890/Tosec 10259 From the Department of State to Secretary of State Kissinger in Madrid

Summary: The Department sought Kissinger’s approval of recommendations that would allow a gradual upgrade of Morocco’s military capabilities.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, NSC OPS Staff, Box 18, Morocco (1). Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Drafted by Weislogel; cleared by Atherton, Schaufele, Vest, and Ortiz; and approved by Sisco. Kissinger approved recommendations A through D and F. He wrote “wish to discuss” next to E. A handwritten notation on the first page of the telegram reads: “HAK actions below.” Kissinger was in Madrid to sign a Treaty of Cooperation and Friendship with Spain.

75. Memorandum From Clinton Granger of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft)

Summary: Granger informed Scowcroft of decisions by the Department of Defense and Department of State to notify Congress of pending F–5 and DRAGON sales to Morocco. Granger recommended Scowcroft concur in notifying Congress following the February recess.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for Africa, Box 4, Morocco (2). Confidential. Sent for action. Concurred in by Oakley and Janka. Scowcroft approved the recommendation. A January 29 memorandum of conversation in which Kissinger and Moroccan special emissary Lamrani discuss military support to Morocco is published as Document 111.

76. Telegram 687 From the Embassy in Jordan to the Department of State

Summary: The Embassy reported on a meeting between Pickering and King Hussein, who discussed additional Moroccan military requirements and Syrian support for Morocco.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Secret; Exdis. Repeated priority to Jidda, Tehran, Rabat, Damascus and Madrid. Telegram 688 from Amman is published as Document 77.

77. Telegram 688 From the Embassy in Jordan to the Department of State

Summary: The telegram transmitted a message from King Hussein to Kissinger and Ford informing them of Jordanian and Iranian military assistance to Morocco.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, P850107–2374. Secret; Immediate; Nodis.

78. Action Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs (Atherton) to Secretary of State Kissinger

Summary: Atherton provided options for third party military assistance for Morocco. He also addressed the issue of equipment transport and replacement of transferred items.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, NSC OPS Staff, Box 18, Morocco (2). Secret; Exdis. Drafted by Day; and concurred in by Stern. Sent through Sisco. An unknown hand wrote “(Third Party)” under the title of the memorandum, and “HK decisions on p. 11–12” in the margin of the first page. An unknown hand wrote “in two years” next to the paragraph beginning “The Jordanians have told us”. An unknown hand wrote “no”, and “[When?] HK forgot” next to the paragraph beginning “We have subsequently ascertained that”, and circled the words “already decided” in the text. An unknown hand wrote “option 3” next to the paragraph beginning “The Defense Department is examining”. Kissinger approved recommendations 1 through 5. An unknown hand wrote “(Jordan would give as gift)” next to item 1. Kissinger wrote “why?” next to recommendations 6 and 7. The attachment is published as Document 77.

79. Telegram 37574/Tosec 30081 From the Department of State to Secretary of State Kissinger at Aqaba

Summary: The Department informed Kissinger of the pending visit of a U.S. nuclear submarine to the Moroccan port of Safi, and asked his advice on how to proceed.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Secret; Immediate. Drafted by Escudero; cleared by Atherton and MacFarlane; and approved by Sisco. Kissinger was in Aqaba, Jordan, to brief King Hussein and Prime Minister Rifai on the Middle East peace process. In telegram 409 from Brasilia, February 21, the Embassy informed the Department of Kissinger’s decision to postpone the submarine visit. Kissinger’s response was “absolutely not.” (Ibid., P840086–2238). In telegram 43165 to Brasilia, February 23, Clements told Kissinger that he agreed with the decision to postpone the visit. (Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL 202, Geopolitical File, Morocco, September 22, 1975–December 23, 1976)

80. Telegram 37575 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Iran

Summary: The Department informed the Embassy of complications and general considerations associated with the transfer of equipment from Iran to Morocco.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Drafted by Weislogel; cleared by Atherton, Stern, Noyes, and MacFarlane; and approved by Sisco. Repeated to Amman and Rabat.

81. Telegram 37577 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Jordan

Summary: The Embassy was instructed to communicate decisions to the Government of Jordan regarding arms and aircraft transfers to Morocco.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Drafted by Weislogel; cleared by Atherton, Stern, Noyes, and MacFarlane; and approved by Sisco. Repeated to Rabat and Tehran. In telegram 37576 to Rabat, February 14, the Department instructed the Embassy to inform the Government of Morocco about U.S. approval for the transfer of items from Jordan pending statutory requirements. (Ibid.)

82. Telegram 45389 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Morocco

Summary: The Embassy was informed of the status of accelerated arms deliveries to Morocco.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for Africa, Box 4, Morocco (3). Secret. Repeated to Algiers, Nouakchott, Madrid, Amman, and Tehran. A notation at the top of the first page reads: “Direct US arms for Morocco—summary of where we stand—Feb. 25. See decision memo at A.” The memorandum was not attached. A notation next to item 7 reads, “NSC and State concurred.”

83. Memorandum From Robert Oakley of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft)

Summary: Oakley provided a review of the U.S. response to Morocco’s continuing requests for military supplies.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for Africa, Box 4, Morocco (3). Secret; Exdis. Concurred in by Clint Granger. Tabs I through IV were not attached. All brackets are in the original.

84. Telegram 1377 From the Embassy in Morocco to the Department of State

Summary: Neumann offered his assessment of the strategic importance of Morocco to the United States.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Secret. Repeated to Algiers, Madrid, Nouakchott, Paris (also for Ambassador-designate Anderson), Tripoli, Tunis, Casablanca, Tangier, and the Mission to the UN.

85. Memorandum From the Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (Poor) to the Deputy Secretary of Defense (Clements)

Summary: Poor requested Clements’ approval for the Department’s position on future military basing in Morocco.

Source: Washington National Records Center, OSD Files: FRC 330–800024, Box 2, Morocco. Secret. Prepared by James P. Wootten. Tabs A through D were not attached. A stamped notation indicates that the Deputy Secretary saw it. Clements approved the first through fifth recommendations on September 10, and wrote “no” to the sixth and seventh recommendations. In a letter from Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs McAuliffe to Under Secretary Habib, September 22, Defense suggested Anderson discuss future Naval requirements with King Hassan as a way to reassure the King and secure the arrangements. (Ibid.)

86. Action Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs (Atherton) to Secretary of State Kissinger

Summary: Atherton made a series of recommendations dealing with the closure of the Kenitra complex, and the establishment of other U.S. military facilities in Morocco.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, NSC OPS Staff, Box 19, Morocco (9). Secret; Exdis. Drafted by Escudero, Weislogel and Churchill; and concurred in by Goodby and Austin. Sent through Habib. The letter from Under Secretary Habib to Deputy Secretary Clements, and the letter from DOD Assistant Secretary for International Security Affairs McAuliffe to Under Secretary Habib were not attached. “No action taken” was written next to each recommendation. A notation on the first page reads: “Handle as Original Per Secto 32018 Sec. took no action. Wishes to discuss ASAP.”