68. Intelligence Memorandum Prepared in the Central Intelligence Agency1
Outlook for a Maghreb Summit [portion marking not declassified]
Summary
A possible meeting in May between Algerian President Bendjedid and Moroccan King Hassan could be the forerunner of a greater Maghreb summit in the coming months. Since the beginning of the year, the five states of North Africa—Morocco, Mauritania, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya—have talked increasingly about a “Greater Arab Maghreb” and the necessity for a regional summit to discuss the concept. Leaders in these countries always have paid lip service to Maghreb unity, but meetings between them of late suggest that the prospects for such a forum are better than usual. The impetus appears to be coming primarily from President Bendjedid of Algeria who met with Qadhafi in late January2 and reportedly plans to meet soon with King Hassan. [portion marking not declassified]
Uncertainties about the stability of alliances in the region are the driving force behind these contacts, rather than pan-Arab or altruistic desires for cooperation. Private agendas would dominate any summit. The Western Sahara problem would be the principal focus of any meeting attended by both Algeria and Morocco. The animosities between the states preclude any comprehensive and lasting political settlement. [portion marking not declassified]
[Omitted here is the body of the memorandum.]
- Source: Reagan Library, Elaine L. Morton Files, North Africa. Secret; [handling restriction not declassified]. Prepared in the Maghreb Branch, Arab-Israeli Division, Office of Near Eastern and South Analysis, based on information received as of April 15.↩
- See Document 66.↩