171. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Algeria1
SUBJECT
- Vice Presidential Letter to Bendjedid.
1. C—Entire text
2. Please deliver the following letter from the Vice President to President Bendjedid. No/no signed original will follow.
3. Begin text. Dear Mr. President: On the anniversary of the Algerian revolution, I want to extend to you and to the people of Algeria my sincere best wishes. The commemoration of this significant event in Algerian history comes at a time when our two countries can take satisfaction at the way in which our bilateral relations have strengthened [Page 382] and progressed. Your well-remembered visit to the U.S. in 1985 marked an important milestone in that process.
Our growing ties make frank exchange essential as we work together to foster greater understanding and cooperation. In this regard, I thought it might be appropriate to share with you our current thinking on several issues of common interest.
As Secretary Shultz stressed in his October 1 meeting with Minister Ibrahimi,2 the U.S. remains greatly concerned about the situation in the Persian Gulf. The U.S. does not wish to become involved in an escalating military confrontation with Iran. Rather, we seek to provide protection to U.S.-flag vessels, to help ensure freedom of navigation in Gulf waters, and to support the security of friendly Arab states in the region. We continue to believe that the way to bring peace to the Gulf is to press for an immediate and negotiated end to the Iran-Iraq war based on U.N. Security Council Resolution 598.3 We support the Secretary General in his efforts to seek full and rapid implementation of 598. The U.N. should thus focus major attention on achieving that end. We intend to support a follow-up resolution if acceptance of 598 cannot be secured.
Over the years, Algeria has won a reputation for its skill in helping to ease international conflicts. The U.S. recalls Algeria’s indispensable role in the release of the American hostages in Tehran, its successful effort in 1975 to resolve border disputes between Iran and Iraq,4 and the 1981 mediation mission between Iraq and Iran that cost the lives of Algeria’s former Foreign Minister Ben Yahia and so many of his colleagues.5 Your country’s international relations with Iran provide an opportunity—as the Arab League Summit approaches on November 8—to convey to the leadership in Tehran the need to bring the Gulf war to a prompt end. This savage conflict has cost thousands of lives, brought untold destruction, and has sown instability throughout the region. Social and economic development in both Iraq and Iran have suffered tragically as a result. Likewise, Iran has paid dearly in terms of its relations with neighboring states. Your government can use its influence to persuade Iran that immediate acceptance and implementation of Security Council Resolution 598 as agreed with Secretary [Page 383] General de Cuellar is in its own best interest, and offers an opportunity to begin rebuilding confidence and stability in this troubled area of the world.
Let me take this opportunity to congratulate Algeria on its election to the U.N. Security Council for 1988–1989. We look forward to fruitful cooperation with you in the Council both with regard to terminating the Gulf conflict and in all other matters relating to international peace and security.
The United States is also concerned about another problem that threatens stability: international terrorism. I take a personal interest in the issue in my role as head of our anti-terrorism task force. I know that Algeria shares our aversion to terrorist violence, and has worked to secure the release of hostages held in Lebanon. That is why we urge Algeria to refrain from embarking on a relationship with Abu Nidal; such relations would almost certainly have an adverse impact on Algeria’s outstanding international image. Abu Nidal’s actions are beyond the control of any single government.
These preoccupations do not diminish U.S. interest in Algeria and in the future of the Maghreb—a region that faces significant challenges of its own. The U.S. shares an interest in promoting stability there. National development can contribute significantly to achievement of this common goal. For this reason, the U.S. has sought over the years to support social and economic progress in North Africa. The U.S. applauds the courageous initiatives Algeria has instituted to restructure its economy and to strengthen economic performance through encouragement of privatization and entrepreneurship. Your recent announcement of reform in state enterprises and the banking system reflects steady determination to achieve those ends.
Durable stability in the Maghreb, however, cannot be achieved without satisfactory resolution of the Western Sahara conflict. I think both of our governments agree that a military solution to the Western Sahara problem is neither possible nor desirable, and that the dispute can be resolved only through diplomatic means. The U.S. has closely followed recent diplomatic moves regarding the Western Sahara, including the May meeting between you and King Hassan. The U.S. supports such steps, including the present initiative of the UN Secretary General. In this spirit, it will be important to encourage the efforts of the UN technical mission when it visits the region to lay the groundwork for a possible referendum.
Libya presents a significant challenge to the goal of stability in the Maghreb. It is the U.S. view that Qadhafi has not changed; he continues to foster military aggression, subversion and international terrorism. If he appears conciliatory now, it is because he is feeling the pressures of isolation and of his defeats in Chad. Actions that diminish [Page 384] his isolation help him out of his present difficulties and encourage further misbehavior. Furthermore, Libya’s role in the 1980 Gafsa attack can not easily be forgotten.6 We must expect Libya will try again to exploit discontented elements in Tunisia. In our view, the most effective way to control such adventurism still lies in the containment and isolation of Libya. For this reason, the U.S. does not support the idea of Libyan adherence to the 1983 Tripartite Accord. Although we remain concerned about the direction of Algerian-Libyan relations, we are gratified by recent assurances from senior officials such as General Belkheir and General Cheloufi to Ambassador Johnstone regarding their extent and nature.
Though I have outlined the challenges facing us, there are also many potential opportunities ahead as we further strengthen our bilateral relations. The U.S. welcomes opportunities to exchange views on issues of mutual concern as we both endeavour to increase cooperation in the military, economic and cultural fields. In this regard, the fruitful visit I had to Algeria in 1983,7 and occasions such as that provided by General Belkeir’s8 and General Cheloufi’s visits to the U.S.9 foster growth in our relations, while providing an important opportunity for a frank exchange of views. The U.S. looks forward to continuing the dialogue, both in Washington and in Algiers.
Please accept, Mr. President, my sincere good wishes for your future endeavours and for the continued prosperity and progress of your country.
Sincerely, George Bush
- Source: Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D870895–0604. Confidential; Immediate; Exdis. Drafted by Kathleen Fitzpatrick and Casey (NEA/AFN); cleared by Ussery, Eastham, Kirby, Courtney (NSC), Laurence Pope (NEA/NGA), Stephen Grummon (S/CT), Bush, Richard Mueller (S/S), and Carolyn Huggins (S/S–O); approved by Djerejian. Sent for information to Rabat and Tunis.↩
- The Shultz-Ibrahimi conversation is in telegram 15091 to Algiers, October 2. (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D870813–0813)↩
- Reference is to UN Resolution 598, July 20, which called for an immediate ceasefire between Iran and Iraq, the repatriation of prisoners of war, and for mutual withdrawal to their internationally-recognized border. Documentation on the resolution is scheduled for publication in Foreign Relations, 1981–1988, vol. XXI, Iran; Iraq, 1985–1988.↩
- Reference is to the March 6, 1975, Algiers Accord. See Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, vol. XXVII, Iran; Iraq, 1973–1976, Document 273.↩
- Documentation on this issue is scheduled for publication in Foreign Relations, 1981–1988, vol. XX, Iran; Iraq, April 1980–January 1985.↩
- See footnote 2, Document 107.↩
- See Document 130.↩
- See Document 161.↩
- See Document 170.↩