19. Telegram From the Embassy in Morocco to the Department of State1
1274.
Rabat, February 16, 1983, 1442Z
For Secretary Shultz and Judge Clark only from Ambassador Reed. Subject: Moroccan-Algerian Talks.
- 1.
- (S—Entire text)
- 2.
- During a meeting with King Hassan February 15, he asked that I pass to you two, for the most restricted possible number of readers, the following message:
- 3.
- Quote:
- —
- I plan a final review with my top advisors of the Algerian situation February 18/19.
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- If the review goes well, and I expect it will, on or about February 23/24 I will have a secret meeting with President Bendjedid at a place on our common border.2
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- I have very much in mind your (U.S.) interest in improving Moroccan-Algerian relations as a part of our shared concern for improved regional stability.
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- I do not expect or indeed think it desirable that the U.S. have any role or even comment on the upcoming meeting, but I wanted you to know about my definite plans as soon as I was able to give them to you.
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- Please convey my personal best regards and respects to President Reagan.
End quote. - 3.
- This message has had extremely limited distribution in Rabat.
Reed
- Source: Reagan Library, Executive Secretariat, NSC Country File, Africa, Morocco (02/16/1983–04/28/1983). Secret; Nodis.↩
- In telegram 857 from Algiers, February 27, the Embassy reported: “Reliable sources in the Presidency and MFA this afternoon confirmed to us that King Hassan and President Bendjedid met February 26 in an Algerian village close to the Moroccan border.” (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D830108–0337)↩