185. Letter From the Ambassador to Morocco (Duke) to President Carter1
It was just about a year ago that your decision on arms sales to Morocco was made known, and your appointment of me to implement that policy soon followed. As we reach this first anniversary, it might be useful to review what have been the results so far.
I am convinced that a process leading to a negotiated settlement of the Saharan war has begun and that your policy decision has directly contributed to much of the progress made so far.
Because of the leverage the new policy has given us, our bilateral relations have been productive, our views are carefully and cordially considered, and I have been enabled to make the point that we agreed to sell arms in order to ensure Moroccan engagement in the approach to a settlement which is sufficiently satisfactory all around to endure and enhance regional security.
[Page 445]The evidence of progress so far is as follows: last year Morocco refused to attend the Monrovia OAU Conference; this September at Freetown it agreed for the first time to meet with “all interested parties” and was represented at the Prime Ministerial level.2 The latter conference concluded with a call for a UN-supervised cease-fire in place and for a “fair and general” referendum to be organized by the OAU with UN help. The Moroccans have accepted a de facto cease-fire but maintain that because the Saharans under their flag made their choice known in 1975 through their provincial assembly and in several local elections since, a referendum is unnecessary. Foreign Minister Boucetta, however, has indicated privately a good deal more flexibility in his government’s position on this.
The Algerians, who, in my opinion, have thus far been an obstacle to negotiations, have recently shown indications of increased understanding that our arms sales agreement is designed to enlist the participation of all parties in the search for peace. Although Algeria still maintains it is not involved, it seems to be more interested than before in being able to turn its undivided attention to its Eastern Flank.
All of the parties are now engaged, and I am convinced that they have been caught up in a momentum that could well lead to a negotiated settlement. As one who is associated with the implementation of your policy, I wish to bear witness to its promising results and to express total support for its continuance in your next administration.
With all good wishes, I am,
Sincerely,
Ambassador
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Country File, Box 56, Morocco: 9/79–1/81. No classification marking.↩
- See footnote 4, Document 45. The OAU met in Freetown on September 12.↩