Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Arab-Israeli Dispute; United Arab Republic; North Africa, Volume XIII

327. Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (Satterthwaite) to the Deputy Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Hare)¹

Washington, December 22, 1960.

SUBJECT

• Contacts with the PGAR

Now that UNGA consideration of Algeria is over I believe it would be wise for us to have another look at the problem of elevating our contacts with the PGAR.

We assume that shortly after the January 8 referendum De Gaulle intends to move rapidly to resume negotiations looking towards a cease-fire and the setting up of transitional political arrangements in Algeria as a prelude to self-determination. I feel strongly that we should be in a position at that time to urge the PGAR representatives to adopt a constructive attitude towards De Gaulle’s proposals. Although I would expect that the main burden of counseling will be carried, at least initially, by the Tunisians and perhaps the Moroccans, I think we can anticipate that a time will come in which our advice will also be helpful. I have in mind in particular the probability that the Algerians will be getting contrary advice from bloc representatives and perhaps from the UAR.

In addition to the assistance we can give to France and the moderate North Africans I also have in mind the advisability of our beginning to lay the ground for a more productive relationship than has been possible in the past with those Algerians who seem bound to play an important role—and probably a preeminent role—in Algeria’s future. We should not lose sight of the fact that within the FLN, as in so many similar movements, there is likely to be considerable infighting, [2½ lines of source text not declassified].

If you concur with the above, I suggest that you ask representatives of AF and EUR to meet with you to discuss the timing, location and levels of approaches to representatives of the PGAR. NEA might also have some helpful ideas on this subject.²

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751S.00/12–2260. Secret. Drafted by Chase on December 21 and initialed by Satterthwaite. Copies were sent to EUR and NEA.
2. No record of a meeting has been found. A December 30 memorandum from Meyer to Hart, however, recommends that contact with PGAR officials in Cairo be upgraded from the Second Secretary to the Deputy Chief of Mission level. (Ibid.,NEA Files: Lot 62 D 435, 1960 Chron—Inter-Office Memos)