129. Memorandum From Robert W. Komer of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)0
SUBJECT
- New Moroccan-Soviet Arms Deal
This apparent deal with the Sovs for small arms and some heavy equipment including artillery will force question of US policy to fore again. Balafrej said the Moroccans would try to avoid “as far as possible” presence of Soviet instructors and technicians. He flatly denied Moroccans accepting any air aid.1
Net effect will probably harden both State and Defense positions, and thus bring to WH the final decision on whether to go ahead with transport aid for the Moroccan air force. State has faithfully passed to Bonsal our desire for assurances from Hassan. But when chips are down, it will probably fall in behind Bonsal in arguing that we’ll have to count on US aid, not Moroccan assurances, to minimize Soviet presence. However, DOD will probably contend that the new arms deal proves clearly that nothing but iron-clad assurances will keep Hassan from dealing on both sides of the curtain.
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While I believe that Bonsal and State have not pushed Moroccans hard enough (they contend it counterproductive to risk getting Moroccan backs up), in the last analysis we’ll probably have to settle for less than absolute guarantees and rely on our aid itself to preclude Moroccans taking too much from Soviets. The fact is that we’re competing with the Sovs, and whether it’s pleasant or not, [less than 1 line of source text not declassified]. I feel Morocco is important enough to warrant our playing, though I haven’t admitted this to State lest they totally relax.
- Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Meetings and Memoranda Series, Staff Memoranda, Robert W. Komer. Secret.↩
- On January 27, Bonsal reported that he had discussed with Balafrej the military items being acquired by Morocco from the Soviets and had reiterated U.S. concern over the presence of Soviet pilots and technicians. Balafrej had promised to discuss the matter with King Hassan, but noted that it was well-known Moroccan policy to establish no exclusive relations with East or West, particularly in the matter of arms, and that Morocco reserved the right to acquire arms it needed from any available source. (Telegram 1268 from Rabat; Department of State, Central Files, 771.5622/1-2762)↩