Office of the Historian

183. Memorandum From Acting Secretary of State Whitehead to President Reagan1

Washington, October 6, 1988

[Omitted here is material unrelated to Algeria.]

3. Riots in Algiers. President Bendjedid invoked martial law today to try to stop riots in downtown Algiers. The disturbances, sparked by economic malaise and growing frustration with social inequities, have posed no direct threat to U.S. personnel or citizens. Rapid and [Page 407] visible steps are needed to diffuse the tension. These steps might include moving against hardline opponents or announcing steps to alleviate critical food shortages and improve the economy. We should show quiet support for the Bendjedid regime as it seeks to restore order.2

[Omitted here is material unrelated to Algeria.]

  1. Source: Reagan Library, George Shultz Papers, President’s Evening Reading October–December 1988. Secret. Shultz was in New York attending the UN General Assembly meeting.↩
  2. An analysis of the crisis, along with possible implications for U.S.-Algerian relations, is in telegram 5440 from Algiers, October 6. (Department of State, Executive Secretariat, S/S Records, 1988 Nodis Telegrams, Lot 94D552, Algiers 1988 Nodis)↩