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

408. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Ethiopia¹

177093.

Washington, June 24, 1983, 2138Z

SUBJECT

• OAU and Western Sahara Problem.

Ref:

• Addis Ababa 2137.²

1. Department believes that acting on Onu’s suggestion that U.S. weigh in with Morocco in favor of continued informal talks with Polisario would not be appropriate or effective at this time. GOM public position remains opposed to such talks, even though it is well known secret that such talks have occurred. Our assessment is that future of direct GOM-Polisario contacts is extremely delicate at this point, especially in wake of OAU Summit resolution,³ but that contacts will probably continue. GOM has always been extremely prickly on this subject, even with U.S. interlocutors. GOM is also well aware of often stated U.S. position favoring cease fire followed by referendum and that action responsibility should remain with OAU Implementation Committee, in accordance with 1981 Nairobi Agreement. We thus must pass on Onu’s suggestion at this time.

2. Embassy is therefore requested to thank Onu for his intervention on this issue and to explain along above lines why we are not prepared to act on it at this time. Embassy should also tell Onu that USG values his views as acting Sec Gen and as veteran observer of African scene, and that we trust that our less than our disinclination to comply with his suggestion on this occasion will not inhibit his offering us his thoughts on this and other issues in the future.

Dam

1. Source: Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D830362–0425. Secret; Immediate. Drafted by Fairchild (AF/I); cleared in draft by Kenneth Scott (AF/W) and Sebastian; approved by Bishop. Sent for information Priority to Rabat, Algiers, and USUN.
2. In telegram 2137 from Addis Ababa, June 22, the Embassy reported: “OAU Interim Secretary General Peter Onu considers the Western Sahara the most urgent issue facing the OAU and is taking a serious and apparently constructive approach to it.” Onu also “asks that the USG encourage Morocco to agree to meet with the Polisario in the aim of preparing the ground for a cease-fire and referendum.” (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D830355–0599)
3. The text of the resolution, which called for “direct negotiations” between Morocco and the Polisario, is in telegram 2019 from Addis Ababa, June 11. (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D830333–0593)