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

56. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Morocco¹

212472.

Washington, July 12, 1985, 0316Z

SUBJECT

• Discussion With GOM on State of Libyan-Moroccan Relations.

1. (S) Entire text.

2. We wish to discuss with GOM officials recent developments which may present risks and opportunities for U.S. efforts to dissolve the Moroccan-Libyan relationship.
Reports that the recent Libyan-Iranian accords have resulted in strains in the Morocco-Libya relationship are intriguing;²

— Signs that Qadhafi is upset with Moroccan reluctance to pursue military cooperation are also encouraging. Whether or not reports of renewed Libyan support to the Polisario are credible is of interest;

— On the other hand, the report that a trip to Libya by Hassan might occur in the near future is worrisome;

— Was the reason behind Basri’s trip to Tripoli to take issue with Qadhafi on his Iranian ties, or was it to arrange for visit by the King?

— What are we to make of the just-concluded joint Moroccan-Libyan parliamentary sessions, in particular the establishment of a “defense affairs committee”?

3. Should Hassan carry through with his on-again, off-again plans to visit Qadhafi, this would cast a new pall over the U.S./GOM relationship—regardless of when such a visit took place. It would be particularly unfortunate if it occured immediately before or after JEC and JMC meetings or if a Hassan/Qadhafi meeting resulted in discussion or agreements on military cooperation. It is our hope that Hassan never make the trip to Tripoli. In theory, stiff-arming on this issue might so displease Qadhafi that it might lead to an explicit or implicit demise of the union.

4. To review the bidding and to alert the GOM to our concerns about and potential consequences of a possible Hassan trip to Libya, you should seek an early appointment with FonMin Filali to make the following points.

— The Iraqis and several other Arab governments have reacted sharply to Qadhafi’s policy of increased support for Iran. We understand the GOM might also have problems with this. We would be interested in the GOM assessment of Libyan-Iranian policies, especially in the area of weapons supplies. What, if anything, is the GOM doing vis a vis Qadhafi on this one?

— We likewise are concerned by the reported military agreement between Libya and Sudan. What are GOM views?

— The news that the joint Libyan-Moroccan parliamentary meetings established a “defense affairs committee” is troubling. Any discussion or agreements on Moroccan/Libyan military cooperation would present us with particular difficulties, given the nature of our bilateral relationship, we request information about the proposed powers and importance of that committee.

— There have been unconfirmed reports that Qadhafi may have recently renewed at least financial support to the Polisario. Is there any validity to these reports?

— As GOM is aware, we have serious reservations about any expansion of Qadhafi’s influence. This was the basis for our concern about the King’s intention to bring Chad into the Arab-African union. Has that issue been laid to rest? (FYI: We have one report that Hassan may still be pressing for a Habre-Qadhafi meeting. End FYI.)

— Renewed activity to implement the Oujda accords and official visits between the two capitals have led to speculation that King Hassan may soon visit Tripoli.

— It strikes us also that such a visit, coming in the wake of Libya’s accords with Iran and Sudan, could strain Morocco’s relations with its Arab friends.

— Such a visit would be most unfortunate, especially at a time in which we both are working for successful and productive meetings of the JEC and JMC.³

Whitehead

1. Source: Department of State, Executive Secretariat, S/S Records, 1985 Nodis Telegrams: Lot 95D025, Rabat 1985 Nodis. Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Drafted by Zweifel and Robert Barrett (NEA/AFN); cleared by Van Heuven, Sokolsky, Otto, Nassif, Johnson, and McKinley; approved by Raphel.
2. In telegram 6009 from Rabat, July 1, the Embassy reported: “A working level security official of the Sûreté Nationale told EmbOff on July 1 that ‘we are being careful because things between Morocco and Libya are heating up and are very tense.’ He said King Hassan had sent Royal Counsellor Ahmed Reda Guedira and Interior Minister Driss Basri to Libya on June 26 to convey displeasure over a Libyan-Iranian ‘strategic alliance’ announced by Libyan Press Agency (Jana) on June 24.” (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D850464–0055)
3. Kirby met with Filali on July 15 and relayed the Department’s instructions. In telegram 6576 from Rabat, July 16, Kirby commented: “Twice during the Libyan portion of our conversation I pointedly reminded Filali that Washington continues to be very concerned about Qadhafi’s terrorist efforts world-wide and that the Moroccans must understand that we are, therefore, concerned about any new or continuing initiatives with Qadhafi that friends of ours like Morocco might undertake.” (Department of State, Executive Secretariat, S/S Records, 1985 Nodis Telegrams: Lot 95D025, Rabat 1985 Nodis)