Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume XVII, Part 3, North Africa

77. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski) to President Carter¹

Washington, November 3, 1979

SUBJECT

• A Summary Report on My Trip to Algiers

I. US-Algerian Relations

A. The Algerian leadership is realistic, hardheaded and very religious. This religious aspect was stronger than I had expected and is very explicitly stressed in their pronouncements and activities.

B. The Algerians resent the Cuban role in the NAM and there is growing dislike for the Soviet Union because of the Soviet mistreatment of its Muslims.

C. The Algerians are critical of our Moroccan decision but listened to my explanations and by their words and deeds seemed to imply that it should not affect the bilateral US-Algerian relationship.

D. I believe that my visit, and especially the conversation with the President and Foreign Minister, in addition to my deliberate public display of respect for the martyrs of the Algerian revolution, made an impact on the Algerians. I believe that the time is ripe for closer political and military contacts, and both DOD and State should be instructed to pursue all opportunities. The Algerian leadership was especially receptive to my statement to the effect that President Carter approves of the non-aligned movement and especially of Algeria’s role in it (“We respect Algeria because we know that when Algeria speaks, it speaks for itself and no one else.”).

E. Finally, I think the VOA should be instructed to step up its broadcasts to Arab countries on the subject of the Soviet mistreatment of its Muslims, especially with regard to denial of religious opportunities.

[Omitted here is material unrelated to Algeria.]

I come back convinced that Algeria is going to become the dominant force on the North African Continent. I believe we can work with it if we are firm in stating clearly what our objectives are, and if at the same time we indicate our positive appraisal of their role and respect for their independence. The judgment both of my Algerian hosts and U.S. Ambassador was that the visit was timely and constructive; the Algerians gave every impression of being delighted by it and went out of their way through a variety of small symbolic gestures to highlight my presence and to display warm feelings towards you as well as myself.

I also gave a TV interview, and visited the revolutionary sites outside of Algiers.

1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Trip File, Box 40, Brzezinski, Algeria, 10/31/79–11/3/79: Report. Top Secret; Sensitive. There is no indication Carter saw the memorandum.