Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume XXI, Africa

64. Circular Telegram From the Department of State to Certain Diplomatic Posts⁰

Washington, March 23, 1962, 8:38 p.m.

1613. During transition period between Algerian cease fire (March 19) and establishment sovereign Algerian Government, addressee posts should be guided by following in relations with Algerian representatives their respective areas.

1. It has been made amply clear on occasion delivery President’s personal oral message to Ben Khedda March 18¹ and by President in press conference March 21² that USG does not intend recognize PAG. Question of US recognition will not arise until transfer of sovereignty from France to independent Algeria after transition period of three to six months from date of cease fire. Ben Khedda and other PAG officials appear understand our position and are themselves now more concerned with successful implementation cease fire accords and achievement independence than with recognition of PAG. PAG and FLN leaders are now in effect partners with French in joint effort put agreements in practice.

2. Within formal limits posed by non-recognition policy during transition period Department desires intensify informal and friendly contacts with Algerian leaders. It intends pursue exploratory discussions re future planning and priorities for possible US assistance to Algeria with French in Paris and Algiers and with Algerian leaders in Algiers, Tunis and/or Rabat. These will be conducted in such manner as avoid weakening French-Algerian co-operation which we consider of prime importance future Algerian development. They will be subject separate instructions to posts concerned and should not be mentioned at other posts.

3. Other posts are requested limit their approach to more general terms friendly US interest Algerian problems, hope for early resolution remaining difficulties and importance future Franco-Algerian co-operation. Department will of course welcome any information developed through Algerian contacts all posts re Algerian plans or views in political, economic, social, cultural and international relations fields. Fullest possible biographic reporting also desired.

4. All addressee posts now authorized at their discretion utilize opportunities develop Algerian contacts at official and other functions at appropriate level, even though these specifically in honor PAG. No objection inviting or receiving PAG representatives informally in Embassy or official residence by Ambassador, DCM or such officer level deemed appropriate locally. Posts should however avoid giving impression of “rushing” Algerian leaders or representatives, should reiterate where necessary that PAG recognition not involved and should conduct discussions in manner avoiding any implication that we consider PAG now responsible for Algerian foreign relations.³

5. Paris requested advise Foreign Office this general approach. Other addressee posts requested keep French locally informed.

Ball

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751S.00/3-23-62. Secret. Drafted by Hooper; cleared by Imhof, Tyler, Tasca, Thacher, and Pezzullo; and approved by Ball. Sent to Accra, Ankara, Baghdad, Beirut, Belgrade, Benghazi, Cairo, Conakry, Djakarta, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Jidda, Karachi, London, Madrid, Moscow, New Delhi, Oslo, Paris, Prague, Rabat, Stockholm, Tripoli, and Tunis; and pouched to all other African posts.
1. See footnote 3, Document 60.
2. For text of the President’s remarks, see Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: John F. Kennedy, 1962, p. 258.
3. On March 30, the Department of State instructed the Embassies in Paris, Rabat, Tunis, Algiers, and London to treat the PAG as the leadership of the strongest party of a future Algeria and to consult them informally in that capacity on problems concerning Algeria’s future. It suggested dealing primarily with the Provisional Executive when it was necessary to have interim formal dealings with the Algerians. (Telegram 5238 to Paris, repeated as 1486 to Rabat, 582 to Tunis, 341 to Algiers, and pouched to London; Department of State, Central Files, 751S.00/3-3062) The Provisional Executive had been established under the Evian accords and was officially installed at Rocher-Noir in Algeria on April 7.