103. Telegram 30004 From the Department of State to the Embassies in Sierra Leone and Guinea1 2
For Assistant Secretary Newsom AF roundup
1. Morocco. Although reports often conflicting, three developments have recently disturbed Moroccan scene and led to almost constant state alert among military and police forces. First, [text not declassified]military plot against regime discovered late December or early January and some military officers, all captains or below, summarily executed. Second, according to press and intelligence reports, six or more Moroccan terrorists were apprehended in Spain in January. Their reported objectives were assassination of King Hassan and, according one report, Boumediene and Bourguiba as well. Third, continued student unrest, including strikes after Id al Kebir holidays, is highly visible. Hassan has discharged Minister of Education Guedira, and Prime Minister Laraki now has education portfolio. Mohamed V University and many lycees throughout country affected. Embassy reports indicate student situation relatively calm Rabat and Casablanca, though security forces in greater evidence than usual. There are reports of arrests, minor scuffles, and some chanting of anti-Hassan slogans. Bread and butter issues appear, at least on surface, major concern of students.
[Page 2][Here follows material unrelated to Morocco.]
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, ORG 7 AF. Secret; Priority. Drafted on February 26 by Virginia Montague (AF/I); cleared in draft by Hare (AF/N), Marianne Cook (AF/C), Thomas McNamara (EUR/FBX), Gordon Beyer (AF/E), and Harvey Nelson (AF/S); cleared by Donald Spigler (AF/I), and Robert Brown (S/S); and approved by Moore.↩
- In the Moroccan section of an African round up for Assistant Secretary Newsom, the Department of State reported that a military plot had been discovered against King Hassan’s regime, that Moroccan terrorists had been apprehended in Spain, and that Moroccan student unrest continued.↩