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

153. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Algeria¹

275963.

Washington, September 9, 1985, 1453Z

For Ambassador Johnstone from Raphel. Subject: GOA Involvement With PLO Operation. Ref: (A) Algiers 4520² (B) [less than 1 line not declassified] (C) USDAO Tel Aviv IS 12891³ (D) Algiers 2228.⁴

1. (S) Entire text.

2. Department appreciates your initiative (ref A) in approaching Presidency Secretary General Belkheir regarding the Algerian role in training terrorists. We note that Belkheir’s rejoinder is similar to MFA Secretary General Nouredine Kerroum’s response to Embassy’s April 24 démarche,⁵ shortly after the “Atavirus” incident (ref D). Kerroum stated that the GOA did not provide training or equipment for the Atavirus operation, had no knowledge of the “Palestinian commando operation” and, if the GOA had known about it, it would have done everything possible to prevent it. At the same time, and with a less distant historical context than Belkheir’s, Kerroum reiterated GOA policy to provide training for the PLO and not to interfere in PLO internal affairs.

3. Action requested: We believe, however, that we must not allow this incident to be passed over so quickly by the GOA. Embassy should make demarche at the highest possible level concerning these events. Discussion of the incident should be specific and pointed, drawing on reftels and indicating to the GOA our awareness of the following information:

— The PLO group received approximately a year of training in Algeria at a base in Tebessa, including instruction in the use of explosives and artillery;

— In mid-July 1985, the group was organized as a unit at Tebessa and left Algeria for Tunis in early August;

— On August 12, they traveled to Athens where they boarded a passenger ship and sailed to Limassol, Cyprus, arriving on August 14;

— Also on August 14, they boarded a chartered yacht, the “Casselardit”, in Limassol and left for Sidon, Lebanon, arriving on the same day;

— The group was refused entry to the Port of Sidon and returned to Cyprus on August 14, remaining there until August 24; they sailed again on August 24 and were apprehended that day by Israeli naval forces; and

— Interrogations also revealed that training of terrorists in Algeria is continuing actively.

5. Embassy should remind GOA that GOA told us that it would not approve of such operations and would act to prevent them. If reports of continuing training of terrorist units for specific hostile actions against Israel are true, at a time of improving relations (including military cooperation) between the U.S. and Algeria, such activity risks harm to both countries’ interests and to overall efforts in the Middle East peace process.

Shultz

1. Source: Department of State, Executive Secretariat, S/S Records, 1985 Nodis Telegrams: Lot 95D025, Algiers #1, Nodis 1985, Jan 5 thru Sept. 22. Secret; Niact Immediate; Nodis. Drafted by Richard Fisher (NEA/AFN); cleared by Roger Merrick (NEA/AFN), Gary Dietrich (INR/NESA), Quinn (S/S), Ryan Crocker (NEA/IAI), Robert Pace (S/S–O), and Johnson; approved by Raphel. The document is misnumbered in the original.
2. In telegram 4520 from Algiers, September 1, Johnstone reported that he had informed Belkheir that recent media reports “would provoke serious concern in Washington about Algerian role in training terrorists.” Belkheir replied that “He wanted to speak frankly on the issue. He would not deny that Algeria had trained many in the PLO since the Revolution. (He did not say the training was continuing but he also didn’t say it had stopped.) He said Algeria could deny categorically that any training was given to anyone with the purpose of carrying out a terrorist act or that the Government of Algeria was involved in any way in planning or promoting any such act. The GOA could not accept accountability for every action engaged in by the PLO because some had trained in Algeria.” Johnstone in turn stated “incidents such as this could not help but work against our bilateral relationship which both countries wanted to improve.” (Ibid.)
3. Not found.
4. In telegram 2228 from Algiers, April 25, the Embassy reported that in response to the United States’ démarche concerning Algerian involvement in an abortive April 20 PLO attack off the coast of Israel, “Kerroum told Chargé that GOA does not hide the fact that it has provided training to the PLO in the past at Tebessa. However, it is GOA policy not to interfere in the internal affairs of liberation movements.” The Embassy commented: “At no point did Kerroum deny that this PLO operation may, in fact, have been launched from Algeria, nor did he answer previous Embassy query about Abu Jihad’s presence here in the first half of April.” Furthermore, the Embassy stated “What is clear, is the GOA is very concerned about the U.S. reaction to possible Algerian involvement as evidenced by its rapid and authoritative response at this high level. Kerroum also reflected his government’s desire to distance itself from any responsibility with this specific operation.” (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D850288–0190)
5. No record of the U.S. démarche was found.