210. Telegram From the Embassy in Morocco to the Department of State1
Department pass the White House for the President and Judge Clark. Dept also pass to DOD for the Secretary and pass to CIA for the Director. Subj: Message to the President From His Majesty Hassan II, King of Morocco.
1. Secret—Entire text.
2. The evening of September 19, King Hassan II and Royal Counselor Reda Guedira spoke with Ambassador Reed and General Vernon Walters by phone to inform them that a letter would be arriving from King Hassan to be transmitted to President Reagan. At eleven p.m. Foreign Minister Boucetta and Interior Minister Basri both came to the Ambassador’s residence to deliver the letter; a translation from the French follows below.
3. Begin informal Embassy translation:
Quote:
His Excellency Mr. Ronald Reagan
President of the United States of America
Washington, D.C.
Message (continued):
Mister President and great friend,
I know perfectly how you feel, as a father and as a world leader responsible for peace and war, about what has happened in Lebanon,2 and it is for this reason that I am abstaining from any comment.
However, I am unable to hide from you that what has happened in Lebanon involves the responsibility of the United States, in the following way. The Palestinians who could die, weapons in hand, defending their unarmed wives, children, and parents who remained behind, have however left their families, trusting in your government, even if this was not stipulated in the agreements signed between the parties to the conflict. In a word, they had confidence in you and I think, as I know you, that your moral anguish is unbearable. You have been deceived by those who call themselves your allies. We are all looking to your for redress.
[Page 456]The U.S.A. must, morally and politically, absolve itself of the wrong inflicted upon it, by every means, including a military presence in Lebanon, a credible presence for the defense of the weak and the disarmed. What is happening in Lebanon has nothing to do with war. It is quite ruthlessly and simply a slaughter and in the scriptures it is written: “Thou shalt not kill”.
Mister President and great friend,
These are the painful moments that every statesman must go through in his career. You will do so, I am convinced, with courage, determination and wisdom. Your friend who writes these lines is close to you and prays to God that he direct you on the right path, that of justice and equity.
Please be assured, Mister President, and great friend, of my sincere friendship and my very great consideration.
Royal Palace at Ifrane
September 19, 1982
Hassan II
King of Morocco
End quote.
- Source: Reagan Library, Executive Secretariat, NSC Country File, Africa, Morocco (12/23/1981–11/19/1982). Secret; Niact Immediate; Nodis. Printed from a copy that indicates the original was received in the White House Situation Room.↩
- See footnote 6, Document 28.↩