Office of the Historian

111. Memorandum of Conversation1

Washington, January 18, 1965, 4:30 p.m.

SUBJECT

  • Call on the Secretary by the Moroccan Foreign Minister

PARTICIPANTS

  • His Excellency Ahmed Taibi Benhima, Moroccan Foreign Minister
  • His Excellency Ali Bengelloun, Moroccan Ambassador
  • The Secretary
  • Mr. Henry J. Tasca, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs
  • Mr. Robert W. Chase, OIC, Moroccan Affairs

The Secretary met privately with the Foreign Minister for over half an hour after which they were joined by Ambassador Bengelloun and Departmental officers. Mr. Benhima then outlined the Moroccan view of African affairs, particularly the Congo. He noted that the substance of this appreciation had been given to Mr. Sisco of IO earlier in the day.

Returning to purely Moroccan problems, the Foreign Minister emphasized that in considering defense needs, “Morocco does not wish a Maginot line.” Benhima said he knew Morocco’s future depended on a sound economy, strong labor movement, and political freedom. He hoped to build new industry and prosperous communities along the Algerian border to act as a showcase to the Algerians as West Berlin does to East Germany.

In response to a question by the Secretary regarding nonalignment, Mr. Benhima replied that the King believes nonalignment “of the Belgrade Conference type” is a dead issue. Africa is being split into two blocs, radical and moderate, with the former equating nonalignment with socialism.

The Secretary asked Mr. Benhima which countries of Africa Morocco considered its best friends. The Foreign Minister mentioned Senegal and Nigeria.

In discussing economic aid and the current Moroccan austerity campaign, the Secretary emphasized the importance of Morocco having IBRD support for its three-year plan and for its fiscal policies. He noted that such support does much to encourage world confidence in Morocco’s economic activities. Mr. Benhima said his government works in close cooperation with the World Bank.

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The Foreign Minister spoke of Moroccan relations with West Germany, which he feared were often the victim of ups and downs of West German-French relations. He mentioned that most of Morocco’s links with the West were “via Paris.” He hoped to forge more direct and closer contacts and asked the Department’s aid in persuading the Bonn Government to extend an invitation for a state visit by King Hassan. Mr. Benhima noted that the King had twice accepted, but subsequently had to cancel, earlier invitations. Now the Germans seemed reluctant to reply to Moroccan requests made two months ago suggesting an April visit. This would be just prior to the King’s scheduled Moscow visit.

Speaking again of Moroccan economic development, the Foreign Minister stressed the need for comprehension of Morocco’s problems and the need for urgent action. He saw the next two years as crucial. The Secretary suggested that Europe, too, has a stake in Moroccan stability and urged Mr. Benhima to look toward Paris, Bonn, Rome, and The Hague.

As the Foreign Minister prepared to leave, the Secretary assured him the Department would continue to remain in close contact with him on the several matters discussed during his visit.

  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL MOR–US. Secret. Drafted by Officer in Charge of Moroccan Affairs Robert W. Chase on January 28 and approved in S on February 12. The meeting was held in Secretary Rusk’s office at the Department of State.↩