362. Memorandum of a Conference With the President, Palais Royal, Casablanca, December 22, 1959, 3:50 p.m.1
OTHERS PRESENT
- His Majesty King Mohammed V, Morocco
- Crown Prince Moulay Hassan
- Mr. Murphy (for communiqué)
- Ambassador Mehdi Aboud
- Prince Abdullah
- Mr. Camille Nowfel
- Major Eisenhower
The King opened by expressing warm approbation of the President’s entire trip, terming him as a “messenger of peace.” He said that certain problems of Africa richly merit the consideration of America, dedicated as she is to leadership for peace. These are first of all the desires of people of Africa to follow a normal political evolution, which means the first step should be self-rule; second, that having attained freedom these nations then need social and economic help. The King said he realizes the United States understands this.
The King mentioned Algeria, which is important to Morocco not only because of its proximity but also because the difficulties which that country is undergoing affect the entire Arab and Moslem world. The King expressed approbation of De Gaulle’s speech of 16 September2 and he hopes that Algerian independence “will be fostered and helped.” He hopes this can be done on the concept of self-determination. Morocco and Tunisia have worked together to try to promote understanding between Algeria and the French. Morocco is always willing to act as a peace maker. The King summarized by saying that the independence of Algeria “would bring back stability” and help Africa.
[Page 797]The King said that some of the so-called independent countries of the world are still being exploited by former colonial powers. As examples he cited border difficulties between France and Morocco in the South, and utilization of newly discovered minerals in the Sahara Desert. Although Morocco is willing to be understanding in such matters, even with the French, it is important that the United States help Morocco to put an end to such exploitation. Soon Morocco will begin conversations with the French “on an equal and friendly basis.” The King said this is given only for the President’s general information.
The King expressed concern over Palestine. He emphasized that this concern has no racial basis but rather a humanitarian basis. Specifically, the Moslems and particularly the Arabs feel that the Palestine refugees have a right to repatriation. He urged that current aid programs to these Arab refugees, under the UN, be continued.
The King then mentioned the problem of United States bases in Morocco. He said negotiations had been started when he visited the United States in 1957 and since then have been continued in diplomatic channels. The base question is important because of its impact on Moroccan public opinion. Particularly it is important to show that base negotiations are a “friendly undertaking based on equality.” Hence the King would welcome a solution to this problem, including the question of duration of tenure.
The King requested the President to encourage private investment. Morocco is prepared to provide incentives to this private investment. The Moroccans realize that no independence can have reality without economic independence.
The King had a final world of thanks to the United States for its help in the past. Specifically, he cited an economic crisis which Morocco had undergone a few months back brought about by the relations with the French. The King expressed appreciation for the Ambassador’s attitude and helpfulness, realizing the Ambassador was acting under instructions. The United States had given Morocco economic and financial assistance and Morocco is proud of the United States’ action, and our way of implementing it.
The President said he would answer the King in order.
Regarding the whole of Africa, the King can be assured that the United States will give the help he requests. The President introduced one caution. It is essential that no atmosphere be created which would place the free world in competition with the USSR. The USSR, an atheistic dictatorship, uses aid as a stepping stone to domination. Outsiders should help underdeveloped countries but not try to dominate them.
Regarding Algeria, the President said he hopes a friendly solution will be reached, fair to both sides. He had talked personally with De Gaulle [Page 798] Bourguiba.4 The facts he ascertained from them have undoubtedly been presented to the King. Regarding De Gaulle’s September 16th declaration, the President considered it sincere and generous. De Gaulle told him that when elections can be held, he will accept the results. De Gaulle hopes that Algeria will decide to keep some connection with the French but will accept the verdict.
Regarding bases, the free world has established a common determination to counter the USSR military threat. The President accepted the King’s viewpoint on the bases, however, and negotiations have been underway. The President understands that one base will be evacuated by the end of this coming March, others will be evacuated gradually with the action completed by the end of 1963. The King reaffirmed this schedule. The President then said we can announce this arrangement any time you are ready, today if you wish. The King said he agreed in principle and is willing to announce this agreement today. However, since so many millions of dollars have been spent on these bases, he hopes they will not be merely abandoned and let go to waste. Specifically, he requested that the United States train Moroccans to make use of these bases. The President said he understands and certainly he would recommend that one of them be transferred into a first class Civil Air Terminal. These matters are under negotiation. He assured the King that the United States will be sympathetic in working with Morocco to see what can be done. We will not abandon Morocco simply because of their viewpoint on the bases; on the contrary, we will aid Morocco in making the best use of these bases. We will not act like people with feelings hurt. The King said the details can be taken care of by the lower echelons of diplomacy. The ties between Morocco and the United States will be strengthened because of our constructive attitude in this base question.
In connection with the base negotiations, the President mentioned our interest in maintaining certain communications centers in Morocco. These are very important to the United States and we hope that negotiations on this issue will proceed in the same cooperative vein as on those regarding bases. The King said that negotiations have already been started.
Regarding private investment, the President said the United States will continue to try to help Morocco as a government. In addition, it will try to encourage private investment. However, he warned that private capital fears political instability, particularly the danger of confiscation without proper compensation. The President said he [Page 799] would honor the King’s word relative to encouragement of private investment and promised to emphasize to American business that Morocco is safe for such activities.
The King said that encouragement of private investment would of course be subject to some conditions. Morocco will have laws to guarantee property ownership and to provide for repatriation of capital if such become necessary. Conditions might dictate that the capital remain in Morocco for at least two years or might require assurances that after seven years some benefit would begin to accrue to the population. The President agreed that conditions are always essential and said it is incumbent upon the private investor to evaluate those conditions before making his decision. He reiterated that his only interest is that any government live up to the conditions as laid down with private investors. The King gave vehement assurances that such would be the case and said again that details in these matters can be worked out at lower echelons.
At this time Mr. Murphy brought in a new draft communiqué,5 in which reference had been made to the Palestine problem. The President told the King that he agreed the Palestine refugee problem is serious. He said we have done more than our share to alleviate it. However, he does not believe the communiqué should mention such items as Palestine or other African nations. Communiqués should not deal with problems where U.S. and Morocco have no influence or occasion to express their views. These views should be reserved for the floor of the UN.
Mr. Murphy and the Crown Prince then retired to work out a text of the communiqué which proved acceptable to both the King and the President. The President recommended to the King that he indicate to the press after the President leaves those matters which he had brought up for discussion with the President. This would serve the purpose of placing the King on record without implicating the President.
Some discussion continued on the subject of self-determination. The President said that even if the two had the power to instantaneously liberate all peoples, such would be a bad thing. He pointed out that Morocco and Tunisia possessed the advantage of having an existing government a long time before attaining full independence. Such is not the case with Algeria; indeed it is questionable as to which group represents the rebel elements in Algeria itself. He asked the King what percent of the population of Algeria is sympathetic with the rebels. The King said that the great majority desires independence, a condition which is only natural. The President cited the instance of the [Page 800] Algerian woman in Paris who had personally told him otherwise. He also cited the case of the United States and Puerto Rico, in which the Puerto Ricans have, for economic reasons, steadfastly refused independence. If Puerto Rico were forced to pay U.S. tariffs on their goods, they would face economic disaster. The King said he visualized that close cooperation would exist between Algeria and France after Algerian independence. In answer to the King’s question, the President said he had told De Gaulle not to be too rigid in his dealings with the Algerians but he himself agrees with De Gaulle that an election cannot be held while the shooting is still going on. He summarized by saying that free elections comprise the key to the problem.
The King requested the President to discourage private investment in disputed territory. The President repeated his former statements concerning the requirement for political stability. The King cited an instance where a U.S. bank granted a loan to a French company working in disputed territory. The President promised, on receipt of the details of this transaction, to warn that bank that they are operating completely at their own risk.
- Source: Eisenhower Library, Staff Secretary Records, International Series. Secret. Drafted by John S.D. Eisenhower on December 23. For President Eisenhower’s account of this conversation, see Eisenhower, The White House Years: Waging Peace, 1956–1961 (New York: Doubleday, 1965), pp. 510–511.↩
- See footnote 3, Document 359.↩
- A memorandum of Eisenhower’s December 19 conversation with De Gaulle is scheduled for publication in volume VII. Regarding Eisenhower’s December 17 conversation with Bourguiba, see Document 414.↩
- Text of this communiqué was sent to the Department of State in telegram 1319 from Rabat, December 23. (Department of State, Central Files, 711.56371/12–2359)↩
- Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.↩