Editorial Note
Despatch 333 from Rabat, April 7, 1953, transmitted to the Department of State copies of two notes signed by Abdelkadar Banjelloun, interim Secretary-General of the Moroccan Democratic Independence Party, to the French Government. The first, dated March 24, forwarded a copy of a note to the French President from the Moroccan National Front in Cairo. That 15-page note accused the French Government of denying to the Moroccans the ideals for which they had fought in the last war. The second, written by Banjelloun himself on behalf of the Democratic Independence Party, was addressed to the French Resident General in Morocco. It made five demands: 1) lifting of the state of siege; 2) liberty and amnesty for political prisoners; 3) an end to press censorship; 4) freedom of assembly, association, and movement; and 5) formation of a government of negotiation to enter into discussions [Page 611] with the French Government to conclude a treaty of friendship and alliance based on the principles of the United Nations, which would safeguard the legitimate rights of French citizens living in Morocco. The Consulate believed that, although both notes were extremely partisan, they presented the Moroccan nationalist argument in a forceful manner. (771.00/4–353)