214. Memorandum From Secretary of State Shultz to President Reagan1
[Omitted here is material unrelated to Morocco.]
2. Reprogramming of Moroccan Funding for El Salvador. Ambassador Reed and Dick Walters briefed King Hassan today on your decision on [Page 462] reprogramming for El Salvador which compelled us to take the money out of the Moroccan allocation. Walters told the King we would do our best to replenish these funds later in this fiscal year and that this decision in no way represented a lessening of our commitment to Morocco.2 Although the news came as a shock, Hassan said he knew you as a friend of Morocco who would not have taken this step had it not been necessary. The King noted that “it is when you are in trouble that your friends have to help” and said he was confident you would do your best to replenish these funds. (S)
[Omitted here is material unrelated to Morocco.]
- Source: Reagan Library, George Shultz Papers, President’s Evening Reading January–March 1983. Secret.↩
- In telegram 2031 from Rabat, March 11, Walters reported that he had informed Hassan and Guedira that the administration was cutting FMS to Morocco and other “African and Asiatic countries” due to “the emergency need to find substantial sums for El Salvador which was fighting for its life against communist aggression.” Walters assured Hassan that “this action in no way represented a lessening of our commitment and interest in Morocco.” (Reagan Library, Near East and South Asia Affairs Directorate, Morocco 1983 (02/22/1983–03/10/1983)) Documentation on U.S. support for the El Salvadoran Government against leftist guerrillas is scheduled for publication in Foreign Relations, 1981–1988, vol. XIV, Central America, 1981–1984.↩