NEW PROGRAM FOR MOROCCO

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01443R000200320001-5
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 7, 1998
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: June 17, 1954
• Content Type: BRIEF

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NEW PROGRAM FOR MOROCCO
I. Newly appointed Resident General--Francis
Lacoste=-ar' rived French Morocco 14 June.
A. Lacoste inherits bitter legacy hate,
distrust left by two military predecessors,
B. Appointment is Paris attempt re-establish
order, French-Moroccan co-operation after
9 months' anti-French terrorist.
C. Lacoste able career diplomat; long, wide
experience, including Morocco (number
two man French Residency 1947-1950,
under Marshal Juin).
D. Staunch advocate French position Morocco,
but personally favors moderate policy:
intends "iron hand in silken glove."
II. Lacoste program not yet clear. High
Foreign Ministry source states:
A. Near future announcement long-term
"evolutionary" program but neither
timing nor final felationship to be
specified.
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1. Program to plug Moroccan sovereignty;
fact that August 1953 reforms only
one step to final goal.
2. French role local government to
decrease as Moroccan capacity
increases.
B. Howevef, no change sultan anticipated
near future.
C. Lacoste first steps include:
1. Conference some elements Moroccan
nationalists he invited Paris.
2. Proposal granting clemency nationalist
political prisoners.
III.Prospects appear dim, since program fails
indicate new, bold policy needed promote
real settlement.
A. Too vague--no specific concessions yet
indicated.
B. Fails specify final relationship of time
factor--both which primary nationalist
objectives.
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C. Issue of French role in local government-
-enforced on 50-50 basis by August 1953
reforms and immediate cause ouster
former sultan--remains major stumbling
bloc for both nationalists and French
settlers.
D. Return former sultan remains major
nationalist objective.
E. Meanwhile, local reaction initial
Lacoste proposals bitter both sides.
1. French veterans organization
Casablanca condemn Lacoste's alleged
amnesty plan and intent negotiate
with nationalists as "criminal and
treasonable."
2. On 12 June, veterans' office wrecked
by bombs.
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3. Paramount Berber, El Glaoui, staunchly
anti-nationalist Pasha Marrakech and
principal native engineer sultan's
deposition hints that friends of
France in Morocco will not give
Lacoste confidence if he shows
clemency to nationalists.
4. Nationalists in turn now expanding
terrorism to include crop burning--
burned 115 acres grain in past week.
F. American observers Morocco convinced
drastic measures required to restore
co-operation; agree minimum necessary:
1. Replace sultan with someone acceptable
Moroccans.
2. Release nationalist prisoners, as
only ones who command respect
Moroccans.
3. French negotiation with established
nationalist leaders.
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