354. Editorial Note
During the 395th meeting of the National Security Council on January 29, 1959, Allen Dulles reported on significant world developments affecting U.S. security in part as follows:
“Turning to Morocco and Tunisia, Mr. Dulles pointed out that the friction in the Istiqlal Party had come to a head in Morocco and the position of the present government was very shaky.
“Secretary Quarles reported that in the course of his recent visit to Europe he had observed among French, Spanish, and Portuguese officials very great concern about current developments in North Africa and especially in Morocco. Secretary Quarles explained that these officials feared the total collapse of the Moroccan Government [1½ lines of source text not declassified]. They also felt that the leadership of the Leftists in Morocco was taking its advice from the Soviet Embassy.
“The President commented that Morocco seemed to have been a most critical geographical corner ever since he became involved in the area in 1942. Our policy in Morocco might be a policy which we should look at carefully as often as every three months. Mr. Gray assured the President that this would be done.”
In NSC Action No. 2043, the Council noted Dulles’ presentation, as well as Quarles’ report on the serious concern of the Governments of France, Spain, and Portugal over developments in North Africa, especially Morocco, and agreed that existing policy on Morocco should be reviewed frequently. (Memorandum of discussion, January 29; Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, NSC Records)