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

85. Memorandum of Conversation⁰

Washington, July 24, 1963, 4:15 p.m.

SUBJECT

• Presentation of Credentials

PARTICIPANTS

• The President
• The Algerian Ambassador

ALSO PRESENT

• Mr. William J. Tonesk, Acting Chief of Protocol
• Mr. Robert Komer, White House Staff
• Mr. William Witman, II, Director, Office of Northern African Affairs

The First Algerian Ambassador to the United States, Cherif Guellal, presented his credentials to President Kennedy during the course of a thirty minute interview.

After recalling meeting Ambassador Guellal at the time of Prime Minister Ben Bella’s visit last year, the President expressed his sympathy for the death of Foreign Minister Khemisti and enquired whether the motive for his assassination had been established. Ambassador Guellal replied that the motive was unclear, but probably personal, the act of a deranged mind.

The Ambassador mentioned the devastation which Algeria had suffered in eight years of war, and the enormous problems created by the lack of trained personnel. In response to the President’s question, he said that the Algerian Government sought to encourage the French to stay on to help, especially in the fields of education, administration, finance and communications.

President Kennedy expressed his concern at the dislocation caused by the departure of these skilled personnel. He said we were very interested in Algeria’s success in managing her economic problems. We had assisted through food. He hoped that the situation could now be stabilized, the French encouraged to return, and some private capital brought in to get the economy working. If the economy were restored to a vigorous phase, other problems would be less important.

Mr. Guellal agreed that Algeria’s problems were basically economic. The President said he thought it was important to provide a stimulus for French assistance. The Ambassador insisted that Algeria encouraged foreign investments, and especially hoped to enlist the interest of American companies. After enquiring about the Algerian investment code, the President remarked that while we were not seeking to place American capital investments abroad because of our balance of payments problem, it was very important for us that Algeria succeed, and we would do what we could to help. The French, he thought, had the primary obligation. But we were concerned for Algeria’s economy—if that broke down, everything dissolved.

The President then referred to the recent Independence ceremonies at Algiers, and observed that Senator Mansfield had been impressed with the welcome given to the Cuban delegate, Che Guevara. He recalled that he had discussed Cuba with Ben Bella and understood the Algerian feeling that Cuba had supported Algeria during the months and years of the war. However, Algeria should understand sour American feelings at the extent of the welcome to Guevara, beyond that accorded anybody else.

Ambassador Guellal replied that he understood American feelings. It was very difficult, he said, to explain the overall situation, a very emotional adjustment. But the Algerian Government was gaining a greater realization of the situation in Cuba now that it had a Charge there.

The President said he appreciated Algerian identification with the successful Cuban guerrilla activities, but remarked that the action against Batista was not a serious war, with perhaps 100 killed. It was a political effort, while the Algerian was a bloody affair. Cuba was a pretty hard boiled Communist state, in a satellite relationship to the USSR, being used to communize Latin America.

Mr. Guellal responded that they had stressed these points with the Cubans, they realized the Cubans were completely aligned, and suggested that their own relationship with France might serve as a possible formula for US-Cuban relations. He repeated that his Government knew how far Cuba was aligned with the Soviets, and now understood better the issues for the United States. As for US-Algerian relations, Mr. Guellal assured the President that there could be no doubt of Algeria’s friendship. Algeria needed America’s help in restoring her economy and greatly appreciated the food which had been sent.

At this point, the formal letters were exchanged. The President remarked on reading the Algerian message that he greatly appreciated the reference to his Senate speech. He asked the Ambassador to present his best regards to President Ben Bella.

Ambassador Guellal conveyed in return his President’s personal regards to President Kennedy. He added that if Ben Bella should come to the UN in September, he hoped there might be an opportunity to call on the President. The President replied that he would look forward to seeing President Ben Bella if he came. Ambassador Guellal hastened to add that of course Ben Bella would not go to Cuba this time.

In conclusion Mr. Guellal observed that Algeria had passed through a year of difficulties but was now on the way to recovery. The President expressed his pleasure at having an Algerian Ambassador in Washington.

0. Source: Department of State, President’s Memoranda of Conversation: Lot 66 D 149. Confidential. Drafted by Witman and approved by the White House on August 7. The conversation was held at the White House. Earlier on July 24, Komer sent a briefing memorandum to the President suggesting that he take the time for some serious talk with the new Algerian Ambassador, who was one of Ben Bella’s closest confidants. Komer proposed that the President focus on the need for Algeria to put its economy, which was in near chaos, in order before anyone else could do much to help, and on U.S. problems with Castro and how Algeria’s relations with Cuba raised difficulties for nations that wanted to help Algeria. (Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Countries Series, Algeria, 6/63-9/63)