Office of the Historian

447. Letter From Vice President Bush to Algerian President Bendjedid1

Washington, March 9, 1987
Dear Mr. President:

Ambassador Johnstone has reported to me his conversations with you, General Belkheir and Foreign Minister Ibrahimi on the difficult Western Sahara issue.2 I continue to take a personal interest in this issue3 and am hopeful that a way might be found to restore peace to the Western Sahara in a manner that advances the interests of Algeria and [Page 905] Morocco and which takes into account the legitimate interests of the people directly concerned.

I have asked Ambassador Johnstone to explore further with you and your government any ideas you may have on the possibilities of beginning a process which could lead toward peace in the Sahara. I look forward to hearing your views. For my part, I am prepared to continue to play a role in helping develop this process if, in my judgment, there would appear to be a reasonable prospect of success.

With best wishes,4

Sincerely,

George Bush
  1. Source: Reagan Library, Near East and South Asia Affairs Directorate, William J. Burns Files, Morocco (02/26/1987–04/08/1987). No classification marking.↩
  2. In telegram 1626 from Algiers, March 17, Johnstone reported that during a March 14 office call Belkheir provided the following update: “The Pérez de Cuellar initiative remains on track but major stumbling blocks remain. The UNSYG reports that Hassan has agreed to quote UN organization and supervision unquote of a referendum. Belkheir attaches some significance to this language in that previous Moroccan formulations, he says, have agreed to supervision but not a UN role in organization. The question of Moroccan troop and administrative presence in the Sahara remains a stumbling block. Certainly no fair referendum can be held as long as Moroccan troops are co-located with the Saharan population.” Belkheir also said “the question of what exactly the Saharans might be invited to vote on has not even been broached.” Johnstone indicated that Belkheir believed that “the Western Sahara problem would have to be dealt with before there could be any easing of Morocco-Algeria tensions.” Johnstone commented that Belkheir “appeared convinced that Hassan’s recent dealings with the UNSYG had turned up a new, albeit tenuous, element of flexibility.” (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D870561–0463, D870548–0821, D870206–0787)↩
  3. See footnote 2, Document 443.↩
  4. Bush also wrote: “& Respects!” after “With best wishes.”↩