Office of the Historian

209. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Clark) to President Reagan1

Washington, July 26, 1982

SUBJECT

  • Letter to Moroccan King Hassan

At Tab A2 for your signature is a letter to King Hassan of Morocco in light of his recent letter at Tab B.3

King Hassan describes your discussion with him at the White House during May as fruitful and candid.

The King states that as a result of common values and interests, Morocco granted the U.S. use of its facilities in the event of Middle East military contingencies that may require U.S. forces. The King also defines circumstances under which use of the facilities may not be granted. A purpose of the King’s letter is to allow him to tell his Arab friends that he has a “secret agreement” with you that the United States will not use the Moroccan bases to support Israel in attacks on Arab states. The Agreement, however, does not contain any such restrictions on American usage of Moroccan facilities, and you have not entered into any secret agreement with the King.

State and Defense believe that the King’s formulation is acceptable yet conclude that no response to the King’s letter is necessary.

I concur that the King’s interpretation is acceptable but believe that you should send a letter to the King without mentioning his letter nor addressing in detail substantive issues concerning facilities access.

RECOMMENDATION

That you sign the letter at Tab A.4

  1. Source: Reagan Library, Executive Secretariat, NSC Head of State File, Morocco: King Hassan II (820564–8206108). Secret. Sent for action. Drafted by Tanter. A copy was sent to Bush. At the top of the memorandum a stamped notation reads: “The President has seen.” Another stamped notation reads: “Signed.” Darman also initialed the top right-hand corner of the memorandum.↩
  2. Tab A was not attached. The letter reads in part: “Your Majesty, your visit to the White House will always be remembered as one of the highlights of my presidency. One outcome of the visit of great import is the agreement between our two countries for the use of Moroccan facilities. I especially appreciate your personal efforts that led to the successful conclusion of the agreement.” It is available in telegram 206628 to Rabat, July 24. (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D820385–0867)↩
  3. Tab B, letter from Hassan to Reagan, was not attached. See footnote 3, Document 207.↩
  4. Reagan checked and initialed the “Approve” option.↩