Foreign Relations of the United States, 1981–1988, Volume XXIV, North Africa

109. Letter From President Reagan to Algerian President Bendjedid¹

Washington, October 3, 1981

Dear Mr. President:

I am pleased to take the opportunity presented by the commencement of Ambassador Newlin’s mission to Algeria to convey to you my greetings and those of the American people.

North Africa has been an area of considerable interest to my Administration, and I look forward to a strengthening of our relationship. General Walters has told you of our continuing concern about the destabilizing effect that Libyan actions are having in your region and elsewhere in Africa.² In addition, we are most concerned about Libyan support of international terrorism and other forms of lawless behavior. We are, as you know, determined to respond directly and effectively to threats against international order and regional stability and welcome a continuing dialogue with you on this and other subjects of mutual interest.

We also have been watching developments toward a solution of the Western Saharan conflict with great interest. Progress in this regard has been encouraging, and I wish to commend Algeria for its very constructive role. Now that a framework for a peaceful solution exists, I hope that a ceasefire can be implemented rapidly to put an end to the human suffering and damage caused by the war and to create the necessary conditions for the conduct of the proposed referendum.

I look forward to joining you and other national leaders at the forthcoming Summit at Cancun.³

Sincerely,

Ronald Reagan

1. Source: Reagan Library, Executive Secretariat, NSC Head of State File, Algeria: President Bendjedid (8105773–8407957). No classification marking.
2. See Document 108.
3. See footnote 9, Document 105. In telegram 3554 from Algiers, October 6, the Embassy advised the Department that “Algeria’s main objective at Cancun is an agreement to launch global negotiations. If the U.S. is seen as the principal country blocking such agreement, we can expect sharp criticism from Algeria. Although we would not anticipate our bilateral relations to be seriously impaired, we cannot exclude a setback to our improving bilateral relations if the U.S. is seen to thwart a major Algerian objective in which President Bendjedid is personally involved.” (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D810471–1002)