155. Memorandum From Gary Sick of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski)1
SUBJECT
- Proposed Visit of Moroccan Foreign Minister
King Hassan of Morocco has sent his Foreign Minister to Washington with a written message to be delivered to President Carter. Secretary Vance tried to forestall this by agreeing to host a luncheon for Boucetta next Saturday. However, the Moroccans insist that nothing but a meeting with the President will do and they are pulling out all the stops. They are particularly upset at the present time by our decision not to approve2 the sale of aircraft and other weapons to be used outside Moroccan territory against the Polisario guerrillas. Refusal of the President to meet with Boucetta would be seen as another slap in the face, despite their helpfulness in Zaire and in support of Sadat. If the President’s schedule permits, a brief meeting would be greatly appreciated.
RECOMMENDATION: That you sign the schedule proposal at Tab A.3
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Brzezinski Office File, Country Chron File, Box 33, Morocco: 1978. Confidential. Sent for action. Inderfurth initialed the memorandum.↩
- Inderfurth wrote “at this time” in the right-hand margin. See Document 153.↩
- Tab A is not attached. Aaron wrote beneath the recommendation: “ZB—The question is whether the brief meeting would take the place of the guns. What would the Pres. say? DA.” Brzezinski wrote: “No. Set up appt. with the V.P. if possible. (The P. has seen the Moroccans enough). ZB.” See Document 156.↩