Office of the Historian

203. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Morocco1

Washington, November 21, 1956—7:54 p.m.

284. Reports have reached Defense re organization public demonstrations and likelihood incidents anti American as well as anti French in connection French activities Port Lyautey.2 Department therefore telephoned Balafrej New York stating (1) activities Port Lyautey result unilateral French decision and US not consulted (2) we are presently making efforts settle matter with French Government3 (3) we are sure he will agree nothing should be done compromise our efforts (4) we would appreciate Balafrej communicating above his Government asking they make every effort avoid disorders.

Balafrej said he cabling his Government make every effort avoid disorders so that our efforts will not be compromised.4

Department today called in Lucet Chargé French Embassy and after referring Embassy Paris’ démarche to Beaumarchais expressed serious concern US on grounds French action would adversely affect US and French interests and that deteriorating local situation endangering security base and US personnel. Lucet was asked request his government take measures discontinue present activities Port Lyautey.5 Embassy Paris should take appropriate supporting action at highest levels.

For Rabat: 1. Embassy should immediately communicate GOM substance our conversation with Balafrej.

2. FYI During conversation French Chargé mentioned fact Moroccans had not approached French this question. We believe it might have salutary effect if GOM made feelings known to French [Page 549] government. End FYI. Accordingly you may wish encourage Moroccans also talk directly to French.

Hoover
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 711.56371/11–2156. Secret; Niact. Passed by Rabat to COMNAVACTS; also sent to Paris and passed to CINCEUR. Repeated to CINCNELM in London. Drafted by Bovey and cleared with WE and in substance with Gray of the Department of Defense.↩
  2. A French commercial vessel had started unloading military supplies at the wharf in the U.S. sector of the naval base on November 18.↩
  3. On November 16, the Embassy in Paris contacted Jacques Delarüe Caron de Beaumarchais of the French Foreign Ministry to request that nothing be done to threaten the status of U.S. bases in Morocco. (Telegram 2448 from Paris, November 16; Department of State, Central Files, 711.56371/11–1656)↩
  4. Ben Aboud called the Department of State on November 22 to report that his government would do all it could to maintain calm, but the French must cease their provocations. He was advised to take the matter up directly with the French. (Memorandum by Bovey; Ibid., 711.56371/11–2356)↩
  5. Dillon reported in telegram 2580, November 24, that the French would cease constructing a warehouse, but still intended to unload supplies. He noted the French Foreign Ministry had had no direct complaint from the Moroccan Government. (Ibid., 711.56371/11–2456)↩