Foreign Relations of the United States, 1981–1988, Volume XXIV, North Africa

213. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassies in Morocco and the United Kingdom¹

63951.

Washington, March 9, 1983, 0524Z

Exdis, Eyes Only Amb Reed/DCM, London Amb. Walters only. Subject: Possible Reprogramming of Moroccan FMS: Letter to King Hassan.

1. (S) Entire text.

2. Summary: It now appears we shall have to reprogram most of Morocco’s FY83 FMS allocation for El Salvador, pending restoration via a supplemental.

3. We expect NSC tomorrow to take decision to reprogram $60 million for El Salvador.² If so, money ($55 million) will have to be taken from Moroccan FMS allocation. When this occurs matter will become public.

4. To deal with this situation we are “pre-positioning” (see para 5) a Presidential message to King Hassan. Ambassador Reed should deliver that message to the King when, and only when, Department instructs after decision is taken. Talking points for the Ambassador’s use on presenting the President’s message are in para 6. We shall ask General Walters to come to Rabat as soon as he can following reprogramming decision to reinforce with King Hassan the expression of the President’s continuing interest in Morocco. Given time constraints you should not rpt not await General Walters’ arrival to deliver letter.³

5. Begin text of Presidential letter:

Your Majesty: I was most grateful for your account of the recent meeting with President Chadli Bendjedid.⁴ I hope that it will mark the beginning of a new era in intra-Maghrebi relations for which, I know, you have long worked. I also hope that it will enable Morocco and the other parties to achieve progress towards a solution of the Saharan problem along the lines of Your Majesty’s Nairobi offers and the OAU Implementation Committee’s recommendations. You have the strong support of the U.S. as you proceed with this important and constructive effort for peace.

Allow me now, Majesty, to turn to another problem. Our discussions have revealed wide agreement between us on the importance of stemming the forces of the left. These forces, strongly supported by Cuba and the Soviet Union, are today engaged in an effort to destroy the foundation upon which a stable and democratic government can be established in El Salvador. This is yet another arena in which the Soviet Union and its proxies are threatening freedom and independence.

Recent months had seen positive developments in El Salvador culminating in the scheduling of elections next December. Cuba and the Soviet Union have responded to these developments with stepped up military support for Salvadorean guerrillas. Government forces are fighting to contain this onslaught and repel it but are in urgent need of additional American assistance. They now must meet ammunition and other battle field needs. This turn of events has compelled me to allocate additional financial resources to the support of the Salvadorean Government, pending congressional action on a separate request for funds. We have taken these monies from the Moroccan program but I wish to assure you that I will do my utmost to restore them at the earliest possible time.

I know Your Majesty will understand the circumstances which have compelled me to take this step. I have asked Ambassador Vernon Walters to come to discuss the details with you, confident that Your Majesty will know these measures in no way reflect any lessening of American interest in Morocco, its region, and of my high esteem for you and your many contributions to our joint endeavors. Sincerely, Ronald Reagan. End text.

6. Begin text of talking points:

As the President wrote you, we are at a crucial point in El Salvador’s struggle to resist communist aggression and to move toward free, democratic elections. A great deal hinges on our ability to help this friend resist the forces that would destroy it.

— El Salvador has immediate needs for ammunition and the training necessary to keep the initiative with its forces on the ground.

— The appropriations passed last December cut worldwide FMS levels by over 20 percent. In allocating resources, we have had to cut back on most of our key programs around the world.

— The President proposes now to reallocate to El Salvador $52 million of the $75 million in FMS guaranties provided to Morocco in the continuing resolution. This will leave $25 million of MAP—the first grant military assistance ever—and $23 million of FMS guaranties of which $20 million is already committed to loans—in the aggregate $18 million more than the $30 million in FY82 FMS.

— At the same time, the President is amending the current FMS supplemental before Congress to provide a means to restore reprogrammed funds to Morocco before the end of the current U.S. fiscal year. End text.

Shultz

1. Source: Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D830129–0306. Secret; Niact Immediate; Exdis. Drafted by Sebastian; cleared by Veliotes, John Wolf (T), Hill, Charles Gillespie (ARA), and McFarlane; approved by Eagleburger.
2. No record of the NSC decision has been found.
3. See Document 214.
4. See Document 406.