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

228. Memorandum From Secretary of State Shultz to President Reagan¹

Washington, September 5, 1984

1. Meeting With Moroccan Envoy. I met today with Reda Guedira, sent by King Hassan II to explain the Libyan/Moroccan “Treaty of Union.”² His message was that King Hassan is courageous, wise and fundamentally devoted to the same principles and values that we uphold. Against this background, the Treaty is a vehicle by which Hassan hopes to impel Qadhafi towards responsible behavior. Hassan perceives himself as uniquely positioned to play a positive role in the Maghreb, the Arab world and Africa and believes his ability effectively to do so is enhanced by his Treaty with Qadhafi. I asked Guedira to convey to Hassan our deep concern about the Treaty. Qadhafi is reprehensible in every respect and his regime should be isolated. Through the Treaty, Hassan has cast his mantle of respectability over this mad man. I noted the possible transfer of technology, potential compromise of US intelligence, and the turn over of Libyan dissidents as points of particular concern. (S)

[Omitted here is material unrelated to Morocco.]

1. Source: Reagan Library, George Shultz Papers, President’s Evening Reading July–December 1984. Secret; Sensitive.
2. A record of the Shultz-Guedira meeting is in telegram 267326 to Paris, September 11. (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, N840010–0334)