TRIPOLI ROLLS OUT THE RED CARPET FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 004059

SIPDIS


NEA/ENA PLEASE PASS TO TRIPOLI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/20/2009
TAGS: PREL PHUM KIRF IT LY
SUBJECT: TRIPOLI ROLLS OUT THE RED CARPET FOR
ITALIAN-LIBYAN JEWS

REF: ROME 3911

Classified By: POLITICAL MINISTER-COUNSELOR TOM COUNTRYMAN, 1.4 (b)(d)


1. (C) Summary: The delegation of Italian-Libyan Jews who
visited Tripoli October 10-14 described their trip as a
success and were jubilant at having seen and been welcomed in
their homeland. The trip provided the Libyans with an
opportunity to evaluate their visitors; the group did not
meet with Qadhafi or his sons but saw the Foreign Minister
and the Secretary General for Foreign Affairs of the General
People's Congress. They were offered promises of renewed
citizenship and encouraged to invest and visit, but actual
compensation was not discussed. The group expects to return
in late November after the end of Ramadan for more
discussions. End summary.


2. (C) The delegation of Italian-Libyan Jews who visited
Tripoli October 10-14 at the invitation of Qadhafi's son
Sa'adi provided the Embassy with a readout of what they
described as a very successful visit. The Libyans gave the
group the red carpet treatment, including lavish hotel suites
and meals.


3. (C) According to Shalom Tesciuba, the leader of the
delegation, they first paid a courtesy call on FM Abdelrahman
Shalgham, who stressed Libya's desire to return to the fold
of brotherly nations. He probed the group for their views on
Palestine, Afghanistan and Iraq but avoided polemics.


4. (C) During a meeting with Suleiman Shahoumi, Secretary
General for Foreign Affairs at the General People's Congress,
former Libyan Ambassador to Rome al-Obeidi (now in Qadhafi's
personal office),and Mohammad Zwayy, Libyan Ambasador to the
UK, discussions centered on offers of citizenship, tourism
and commerce. Shahoumi told the group they were welcome to
return and reclaim their citizenship without losing their
Italian citizenship. He indicated that wives and children
not born in Libya could also expect to receive citizenship.
Family members who did not want to claim citizenship would be
welcome to visit Libya's ruins, hotels and beaches. These
offers, Shahoumi said, also applied to Libyan Jews who had
fled to the U.S., UK, France, etc. When the group asked
about their actual certificates of citizenship, however,
Shahoumi indicated that it could be discussed further after
Ramadan. Shahoumi also urged the group to invest and
establish commercial enterprises and even offered some
financial assistance and privileges, although what kind of
privileges remained unclear.


5. (C) The group had hoped for a meeting with Qadhafi, but
at the last moment, al-Obeidi sent the Colonel's regrets
saying that he had too many prior appointments. They did not
see either Saif or Sa'adi Qadhafi.


6. (C) The group also visited the old city and the old
Jewish community, including a 14th Century synagogue now in
tatters without a ceiling. Sadly, the Jewish cemetery is
gone, and a luxury complex has been built on its former site.
They were told there are 44 synagogues throughout Libya and
there was some discussion of the need for renovations. In
visiting the old city, several of the group broke down in
tears upon seeing their former homes. Still, as a whole the
group was elated over their ability to return. They spoke
Arabic with people in the streets and the suqs and described
everyone as friendly and welcoming. At a restaurant where
the MFA had arranged a lavish meal, they said the owner
initially had been unsure of how to act because he had never
seen or spoken to a Jewish person, but he ended up calling
them brothers.


7. (C) There was no specific discussion of compensation for
seized monies or property. The next step will be a return
trip, probably around November 20-22 for the same delegation.
They may consider also bringing lawyers or specialists to
help evaluate property, but first they will discuss the trip
with their community. They thought there would be a
possibility for American-Libyans to visit as well. They
planned to brief the Israeli Ambassador to Rome this week and
have already briefed their sister community in New York. The
group will also meet with Congressman Tom Lantos November 6
when he visits Rome en route to Tripoli.


8. (C) Comment: Clearly, the Libyans saw the trip as a way
to evaluate the group before extending any commitments.
Tesciuba felt that the signals they received were excellent
and believed the Libyan offers were credible and fully worth
further exploration. Overall, the group was jubilant at
having seen and been welcomed in their homeland. Both sides
understand that any offers of compensation will require
extensive negotiations, and the group continued to believe
that U.S. recognition of the Libyan initiative would be


important to its eventual success.


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2004ROME04059 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL