224. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassies in Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, and France1
Rabat pass Amb Walters Paris for Cheshes. Subject: The President’s Meeting With Prime Minister Karim-Lamrani.
1. (S) Entire text.
2. The President received Moroccan Prime Minister Karim-Lamrani at the White House on March 1, 1984 at 1:30 p.m. Vice President Bush, Secretary of State Shultz, National Security Advisor McFarlane and Ambassador Joseph Verner Reed were with the President. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Ambassador Ali Bengelloun.
The President opened with a warm greeting to the Prime Minister. He asked the Prime Minister to send his warmest regards to King Hassan II. The President said that the U.S. is grateful for the King’s help with such matters as landing rights and with his work for peace. The President looked forward to having the benefits of King Hassan’s continuing assistance for his administration and for the country.
Prime Minister Karim-Lamrani thanked the President for receiving him. He said that King Hassan had asked him to come to Washington. Karim-Lamrani said King Hassan had told him that he was giving him (Lamrani) two gifts: First to meet one of the great men of our time; then to carry out a mission for cooperation and peace. Karim-Lamrani said that the King had been right. The Prime Minister wished to transmit his government’s and his people’s warmest feelings of friendship and affection for the President and the United States. He said that King Hassan nourishes towards the President and the United States more than friendship—true affection. The Prime Minister said he had been given three tasks: First, he had come as a messenger from his Chief of State to hand the President a message (in both English and Arabic) describing the purpose of his mission to deepen and enlarge the economic and military cooperation between the two countries. He and his delegation had been asked to come to the United States to make sure the administration understands the great economic difficulties in which Morocco now finds itself. Morocco’s problems are many but they are all exacerbated by what is now ten years of drought. Water is lacking not only for agriculture but for human consumption as well. Morocco needs help to meet its current difficult situation. The Prime Minister said that with American support and assistance for the critical period of the next two years Morocco would see its way clear to handle its other problems. “We count on you Mr. President.”
[Page 474]Karim-Lamrani closed by apologizing for having to be so outspoken. He said that the Moroccan people feel true friendship for the U.S. and explained that because Moroccans feel themselves to be true friends they feel able to ask for additional assistance in such pressing terms.
The President responded that he reciprocates King Hassan’s feelings both for himself and in behalf of the American people.
He said he knew the Prime Minister had been discussing his country’s problems and that he (the President) was aware of them. The President said he knew that the constraints under which we are laboring in trying to be of assistance, has been explained. He indicated the US wants to do all it can; that we will do our best.
Karim-Lamrani then said that his second message concerned a resolution voted unanimously by the recently concluded OIC (Organization of the Islamic Conference) summit which had convened at Casablanca last month. King Hassan is transmitting this message in his capacity as the current OIC summit Chairman. The conference had discussed the U.S. position on UNESCO2 and the King’s transmission of the resolution which had been voted by it. King Hassan hoped that it might be taken into consideration. The Prime Minister said that King Hassan feels that the greatest country in the world, respected by all, must be able to continue to make its contribution. He hoped, the Prime Minister concluded, that the President’s decision would be taken in the interests not only of the U.S. but of the entire free world. The President said he would read the message with interest and would respond.
The Secretary of State then said that, with respect to UNESCO, the President had made his reasons for concern very clear. We would have to withdraw by the end of this year if the situation which generates our concern has not been corrected by then. It is not that the U.S. does not support UNESCO. It is, rather, that it believes the organization has strayed virtually 180 degrees from its course. We are working with others, said Secretary Shultz, to see whether this situation can be corrected and the problems it poses for us can be resolved. Should we fail, we feel we would have no place in the organization.
The President then said he would respond to this message as well.
Prime Minister Karim Lamrani, speaking personally, then told the President that everyone in Morocco is following the American Presidential election campaign with extreme interest. “People want to see you remain for many years at the head of the U.S.” Karim Lamrani said that this was not only the sense of his King and of the Moroccan Government but also expressed the sentiments of large numbers of Moroccans who believe that the President’s personality is a guarantee [Page 475] for peace and for a better future. The feeling is not only widespread, the Premier said but it’s spontaneous and sincere. The President vowed to do his best to remain in office a few more years. Karim Lamrani, closing, said “when you are re-elected all of Morocco will celebrate your victory.”
- Source: Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D840141–0670. Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Drafted by Sebastian; cleared by Karen Clark (S), Murphy, Schneider, McKinley, and Thomas Randall (S/S–O); approved by Kimmitt.↩
- Documentation on the administration’s decision to withdraw from UNESCO is in Foreign Relations, 1981–1988, vol. XL, Global Issues I.↩