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

263. Telegram From the Embassy in Morocco to the Department of State¹

11410.

Rabat, November 19, 1986, 1450Z

Dept pls pass USUN New York. Subject: Ambassador Walters’ Meeting With King Hassan.

1. Secret—Entire text

2. Summary/introduction: Ambassador Walters had lengthy, cordial meeting with Hassan November 15. King looks forward to SecDef Weinberger visit in December, hopes to visit U.S. in March. These and other topics discussed are summarized below. End summary.

3. U.S. economic/military assistance: Walters began by telling Hassan that although the political climate for US-Moroccan relations is excellent in Washington, Morocco should not expect increased assistance this year, and will in fact probably suffer some cuts, because of tight U.S. budgetary situation. Hassan seemed to understand.

4. Weinberger visit: Hassan said he is greatly looking forward to seeing Weinberger here since “Weinberger is a true friend of Morocco.”

5. Hassan visit to U.S.: The King said March looks like a good time for him and that he will suggest actual dates to Embassy later. He expressed a strong preference for an official-working visit rather than a State visit (this runs counter to recommendation for upgrading visit to a State visit contained in Embassy Rabat 9174).² Hassan wants to visit California while in the U.S.

6. Other travel: Hassan confirmed his intention to visit Spain and the U.K. in 1987.

7. Moroccan internal scene: Hassan described the Moroccan political situation as “calm,” noting that there has been some improvement in the country’s economic prospects.

8. Relations with Algeria/Western Sahara: Hassan said he is trying to reestablish direct contact with Chadli Bendjedid, but that the road to doing so has not been easy. Hassan thinks Bendjedid is gravely ill, and Hassan would like to reach some measure of understanding with Algeria while Bendjedid is at the helm, since he does not know who will succeed him.

9. Islamic summit: Hassan considers it “madness” to hold the OIC Summit in Kuwait in January given the presence there of so many Palestinians, the proximity of Iran, and the potential for disruptive, terrorist activities by one or both groups. Nonetheless, he plans to attend.

10. Withdrawal from Arab League presidency: recalling his decision to give up the presidency following criticism from some Arabs of his meeting with Shimon Peres,³ Hassan said he withdrew rather than run the risk of being asked to step down, comparing the potential ignominy that the latter would have entailed to Egypt’s situation upon being voted out of the Arab League. He implied that Morocco’s continuing membership in the League is largely passive.

11. Arafat/Peres: Hassan said that several months ago—prior to his own meeting with Peres—Arafat had asked Hassan to arrange an Arafat-Peres meeting. Hassan had sent an emissary to Peres in the belief that doing so was the safest, most reliable way of delivering the message. Although he had appeared interested in the idea of an Arafat meeting, Peres declined on the grounds that such an encounter would entail unacceptable political risks in Israel unless Arafat could be brought to accept Israel’s right to exist prior to the meeting.

12. Cameroon and the Fifth Committee: After hearing General Walters’ description of obstructionist Cameroonian attitudes and activities in the UNGA’s Fifth Committee consideration of the G–18 report,⁴ Hassan said he would send an emissary to the Cameroon President to urge him to adopt a more constructive approach.

Nassif

1. Source: Department of State, Executive Secretariat, S/S Records, 1986 Nodis Telegrams: Lot 95D23, Rabat 1986 Nodis. Secret; Nodis.
2. In telegram 9174 from Rabat, September 15, the Embassy reported that Hassan told Nassif that “he would like to re-schedule his postponed visit (originally scheduled for last July) for January 1987.” The Embassy continued: “Embassy strongly recommends that official working visit envisaged for last July be upgraded to State visit. Hassan has not paid a State visit during this administration and not, in fact, since the 1960’s.” The Embassy noted that it was important that the Department “make such a gesture after the Hassan-Peres meeting and rupture of the Oujda Accord.” (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D860699–0762)
3. See Documents 247 and 259.
4. Reference is to the Group of 18 nations report on administrative and financial reform of the UN. Documentation on the report is scheduled for publication in Foreign Relations, 1981–1988, vol. XL, Global Issues I.