Office of the Historian

384. Memorandum From Secretary of State Haig to President Reagan1

Washington, October 14, 1981

1. Message from King Hassan of Morocco.2 Moroccan Ambassador Bengelloun passed on urgent message to you from King Hassan concerning the destruction of two Moroccan aircraft flying at high altitudes over the Sahara.3 He sent similar messages to the UN and the OAU. The King believes that the Libyans have introduced sophisticated surface to air missiles (SAM–6 or SAM–8) into the Polisario inventory. More importantly, Hassan believes that no African personnel are able to manage these weapons, suggesting that Cuban, East German or even Soviet personnel might now be involved. Under the circumstances the Moroccans have requested a public statement from us reaffirming our support and continuing close consultations as the situation on the ground worsens. I took the occasion of my public remarks4 at Joe Reed’s swearing in to make some appropriate comments, as did the Department’s press spokesman today also in answer to questions.5 (S)

[Omitted here is material unrelated to the Western Sahara.]

  1. Source: Reagan Library, Executive Secretariat, NSC Agency File, Secretary Haig’s Evening Report (10/02/1981–10/28/1981). Secret. Reagan initialed the top right-hand corner of the memorandum.↩
  2. The text of Hassan’s letter to Reagan is in telegram 277329 to Rabat, Algiers, Nouakchott, Nairobi, and Addis Ababa, October 17. (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D810491–0336)↩
  3. In telegram 7444 from Rabat, October 14, the Embassy reported: “King Hassan convened Parliament in extraordinary session October 13 to launch a new diplomatic offensive in the wake of the shooting down of two Moroccan aircraft yesterday morning and the sighting of Polisario armored vehicles. Hassan’s message to 29 world leaders and heads of international fora described the incidents and alleged that Polisario’s use of newly acquired tracked armored vehicles and SAM missiles was an effort to introduce a ‘new dimension’ into the Saharan conflict.” The Moroccan Parliament subsequently “condemned Algeria and Libya for the attack.” (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D810483–1152)↩
  4. Not found.↩
  5. Not found.↩