135. Editorial Note
On April 9, 1962, Ambassador Bonsal reported that two Soviet vessels had unloaded shipments of military equipment in Morocco over the weekend. (Telegram 1738 from Rabat; Department of State, Central Files, 771.56/4-962) The Department of State immediately instructed the Ambassador not to make the approach authorized in telegram 1571 (see footnote 1, Document 134) until he had ascertained that the Soviet shipments did not include aircraft. (Telegram 1570, April 9; Department of State, Central Files, 771.56/4-962)
[Page 206]Bonsal reported that when he raised the subject with the Foreign Minister on the morning of April 10, he had denied “categorically” that either aircraft or helicopters had constituted part of the arrivals of Soviet military equipment. (Telegram 1745 from Rabat, April 10; ibid., 771.56/4-1062)
On April 13, Ambassador Bonsal discussed the recent arrival of Soviet arms with King Hassan, who told him that the Soviet shipment had contained helicopters being acquired by the Provisional Algerian Government for publicity uses in connection with the forthcoming plebiscite in Algeria. He added that his government had just been informed of the imminent arrival of three Soviet technicians to assemble the helicopters, and complained that he had been put in an embarrassing position. Bonsal had commented that the King would have a good basis for refusing to receive the technicians, to which Hassan had replied that the matter was under study. The Ambassador also asked if he could be furnished with further information on what was being received. The King said that he did not think this was possible, but stressed that the materiel received belonged in the category of “light armament” which would require the presence of no Soviet technicians or instructors. Bonsal reported that Hassan, who had been most cordial and had expressed his desire to continue cooperative relations with the United States, had reiterated his preference for U.S. planes, communications equipment, and naval vessels. (Telegram 1786 from Rabat, April 13; ibid., 771.56/4-1362)