Transcript of the Conversation Between N.S. Khrushchev and the Ambassador of Morocco to the USSR, Abdel’kebir El-Fassi

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TRANSCRIPT OF THE CONVERSATION BETWEEN N.S. KHRUSHCHEV AND THE AMBASSADOR OF MOROCCO TO THE USSR, ABDEL’KEBIR EL-FASSI 

26 July 1962[*]

Abdel’kebir El-Fassi says that he is happy and pleased to welcome the Great Fighter for Peace and Leader of the Nations Khrushchev on behalf of the people of Morocco and King Hassan II.

N.S. Khrushchev apologizes for not being able to receive the ambassador at the appointed time as he had a conversation with another ambassador, and, besides, he is leaving Moscow today.

Abdel’kebir El-Fassi requests that N.S. Khrushchev refrain from apologizing to him, understanding that Khrushchev has many concerns. The ambassador with whom N.S. Khrushchev recently met, and he recognized this ambassador by the flag on his car, is the ambassador of a fraternal country. The colors of the flag may change but the ideas will remain the same.

N.S. Khrushchev replies that he is glad to hear this from the ambassador.

Abdel’kebir El-Fassi expresses gratitude to N.S. Khrushchev for the efforts he made to liberate African peoples from colonialism. Morocco will not forget, the ambassador continued, the year 1956 when the Suez crisis broke out. Thanks to the energetic intervention of the Soviet government, Egypt was able to develop peacefully. The vigorous intervention of the Soviet Union also allowed the Algerian people to gain freedom. Without this, the British, French, and other colonialists would have remained in Africa for a more extended period, and Africa would not have achieved independence.

N.S. Khrushchev notes that he is glad to hear such a high evaluation of the Soviet government's activities from the ambassador. It is pleasing to hear such an assessment, given that the Soviet government's policy in combatting imperialism has always been unwavering.

Next, N.S. Khrushchev recalled the speech of the UAR President, Nasser, who publicly claimed that only Allah aided him in defeating the Anglo-French-Israeli aggression, ignoring the fact that the Soviet Union had also cast its vote in support of Egypt. We reminded Nasser that Allah helped him, but our missiles helped him even more.

Abdel’kebir El-Fassi says this is true.

N.S. Khrushchev says that the imperialists of England and France do not fear Allah. Allah existed even when Africa was conquered by the colonial powers. He apparently helped the British and French back then. And now, when the peoples are fighting against imperialism, Allah is helping this fight. But, N.S. Khrushchev notes that although I am an atheist, I do not want to hurt your religious feelings.

Abdel’kebir El-Fassi says that there is no need to apologize for these words because the Holy Scripture – the Koran – says that Allah will not help any people if the people themselves do not want it. Ultimately, the situation determines the actions of a particular people.

Next, the ambassador says that he would like to remind N.S. Khrushchev of his meeting with King Hassan II of Morocco in New York when he was still the crown prince. This meeting marked a historic date in relations between our countries. The King would be happy, the ambassador continues, to welcome you, Mr. Chairman, in Morocco to further strengthen the ties of friendship that unite our countries. Soviet-Moroccan friendship is already evident in economic, political, cultural, and even military domains.

However, we were somewhat disappointed when the Soviet Union permitted the U.N. to admit Mauritania as a member. But we have already discussed this matter with A.A. Gromyko and Ya.A. Malik. My government now regards this incident as closed.

We want, the ambassador continued, to open the doors wide for future cooperation. The current situation in North Africa makes it necessary for Morocco and the Soviet Union to expand their cooperation. We are saddened by the current situation in Algeria. The imperialist hand could lead this country into civil war, which Morocco wants to avoid at all costs. Therefore, it would be desirable for our governments to have regular consultations.

I am not implying, the ambassador emphasized, that the Moroccan government is completely at the disposal of the Soviet Union. My government strives to maintain neutrality and independence. However, this does not mean that my country is willing to submit to the demands of the imperialists. Therefore, we would greatly appreciate any assistance that the Soviet Union can offer to help us break free from the dominance of neo-colonialism.

It is well-known that France still has significant interests in Morocco. We are making every effort to break free from the economic domination of France. We have already removed foreign military bases in Morocco, including the US and French bases. But Spain continues to hold a protectorate over some of our territory. We are ready to discuss with the Soviet Union the assistance we can receive to free ourselves from this last bastion of colonialism.

We are also facing challenges on the Algerian-Moroccan border. It is known that France cut off part of Morocco's territory and added it to Algeria. The French committed this act with the hope that they would never have to leave Algeria. However, we believe, the ambassador noted, that this problem should be resolved with our Algerian brothers, and it could be within the framework of a united Maghreb.

The major issue we face is related to Mauritania, a large territory located south of Morocco. France separated this territory from Morocco and artificially elevated it to the status of a so-called independent state. France did this to cut off Northern Africa from Black Africa.

On the economic side, the Casablanca Group of African Countries is currently examining the possibility of creating a common market for African nations. During the colonial era, African trade was heavily focused on Western Europe. However, we currently want to change this situation, and we would welcome any assistance the Soviet Union can provide in this matter.

The ambassador further says that he does not wish to take up any more of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR’s time. However, he would like to add that the Moroccan Embassy in Moscow and himself are at N.S. Khrushchev’s complete disposal and are ready to provide him with information on issues of interest to him.

N.S. Khrushchev thanks the ambassador and says that he recalls with pleasure his meetings in New York with King Hassan II, who was the crown prince at the time. We, N.S. Khrushchev adds, have established good relations and had a productive conversation.

We are delighted with the reception given by King Hassan II to the Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, L.I. Brezhnev, and the First Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR, A.I. Mikoyan. They had friendly conversations with the king, and this gives us great satisfaction. They returned from Morocco feeling enchanted. As for Mauritania, we have already spoken out on this issue. We agree that Mauritanian independence and its admission to the U.N. are not genuine. However, at the time, there were certain circumstances that prevented us from taking a different stance, as some African countries supported Mauritania, and not everyone would have understood our position. Thus, we were forced to take this step, although we completely agree with you that this was a maneuver by the colonialists. The process is not yet completed, and we will have the opportunity to revisit the issue of Mauritania.

Next, N.S. Khrushchev touched upon the situation in Algeria and noted that it was a cause for concern. We regret the current state of affairs, as it could be used by colonialists to their advantage. However, justice will ultimately prevail, and a solution will be found to stabilize the situation. We try to adhere to such positions to avoid any accusations of interference in Algeria's internal affairs.

We are very pleased with the stance that the Moroccan government takes on significant international issues. We are glad that you are interested in strengthening relations between our countries and that you want us to help each other. Currently, we have a good relationship with Morocco, and there are all the necessary conditions to reinforce and develop this relationship further.

In the struggle for liberation from Spanish colonialism, Morocco can count on our support. We always stand with all peoples fighting for independence.

N.S. Khrushchev requests that the ambassador convey his gratitude to King Hassan II for his kindness and also convey his wishes for the king's happiness and success.

N.S. Khrushchev thanks for the invitation to visit Morocco and adds that at the first opportunity he would be glad to visit Morocco and continue conversations with the king that began in New York.

N.S. Khrushchev reiterates our invitation to King Hassan II to visit the Soviet Union. We would be delighted to welcome the king to our country and offer him the chance to see everything he desires in the Soviet Union.

If the ambassador has any questions that need to be discussed, the ambassador can always ask for assistance. We, N.S. Khrushchev continues, will be glad to take action so that the ambassador can better fulfill his functions as the ambassador of King Hassan II.

In regards to trade relations between our countries and the plan to create a common market for African countries, it is possible that this market could be seen as directed against the former colonized countries. N.S. Khrushchev apologizes that he is unable to discuss this further at the moment as he is departing Moscow for Ukraine today. However, Khrushchev suggests that he would be willing to meet with the ambassador at a later time to discuss the possibility of creating conditions for truly free trade.

Abdel’kebir El-Fassi expressed his gratitude to N.S. Khrushchev for his kindness and assured him that he would inform the king about their conversation. The ambassador conveyed his confidence that his mission in Moscow would be successful. In Morocco, he is regarded as a capable person who can fulfill significant missions, and serving as an ambassador in Moscow is deemed a great mission.

The reception was attended by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the USSR, Cde. Ya.A. Malik.

The conversation was written down by L.A. Samokhvalov.