Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TRIPOLI374
2006-07-30 11:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tripoli
Cable title:
EUCOM J5 MG GRATION BEGINS MIL-MIL DIALOGUE WITH LIBYA
how-tonull Brooke F Adams 08/07/2006 02:31:33 PM From DB/Inbox: Brooke F Adams Cable Text: C O N F I D E N T I A L TRIPOLI 00374 SIPDIS CXCAIRO: ACTION: POL INFO: RSO PA ORA OMC LEGAT IPS ECON DEA DCM DAO CONS AMB AID DISSEMINATION: POL CHARGE: PROG VZCZCCRO314 OO RUEHEG DE RUEHTRO #0374 2111125 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 301125Z JUL 06 FM AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1047 INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC//USDP/ISA/NESA// RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO IMMEDIATE 0382 RUEHTU/AMEMBASSY TUNIS IMMEDIATE 0499 RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS IMMEDIATE 0296 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON IMMEDIATE 0406 RUFGAID/USEUCOM INTEL VAIHINGEN GE RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI 1176
C O N F I D E N T I A L TRIPOLI 000374
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/MAG
EUCOM FOR J5
SECDEF FOR 0SD/ISA/NESA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 7/17/2016
TAGS: MARR PREL MASS LY
SUBJECT: EUCOM J5 MG GRATION BEGINS MIL-MIL DIALOGUE WITH LIBYA
CLASSIFIED BY: GREG BERRY, CDA, Embassy Tripoli, State.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)
CLASSIFIED BY: GREG BERRY, CDA, Embassy Tripoli, State.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L TRIPOLI 000374
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/MAG
EUCOM FOR J5
SECDEF FOR 0SD/ISA/NESA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 7/17/2016
TAGS: MARR PREL MASS LY
SUBJECT: EUCOM J5 MG GRATION BEGINS MIL-MIL DIALOGUE WITH LIBYA
CLASSIFIED BY: GREG BERRY, CDA, Embassy Tripoli, State.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)
CLASSIFIED BY: GREG BERRY, CDA, Embassy Tripoli, State.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)
1. (C) EUCOM J-5 MG Scott Gration became the first American
general officer to visit Libya in over a quarter of a century
during a low key July 8-12 visit. His visit was hosted by MG
Ahmed Mahmoud Az-Zway, the nominal head of the Staff College and
Bureau of Technical Coordination, and de facto Libyan military
point man for
dealing with the USA (including on the WMD issues). He also met
with MG Riffi Sharifi, the head of the Air Force, Dr. Ahmed
Fituri, the MFA U/S for American Affairs, and paid a site visit
to the Libyan Naval Academy, the American cemetery, and the
ruins of Leptis Magna.
2. (C) Uppermost on the Libyan agenda were the eight C-130's in
Georgia and the C-130's in Libya. The Libyans want both sets
assessed and if possible refurbished for
Libya's use. The Libyans are also interested in refurbishing
CH-47 helicopters, which they bought from the Italian company
Augusta. Az-Zway also asked about help
from the U.S. in setting up English language labs, a battle
simulation center and
improving Libya's coastal, border and air defense systems.
3. (C) MG Gration stressed a "crawl, walk, run" approach in
which we should first
develop a common understanding and vision, then start exchanges
and non-lethal
cooperation and then joint inter-operability. He explained
where things stood on licensing an assessment of the C-130's in
Georgia and thought a U.S. military team might be able to do an
assessment of the planes in Libya. He also thought an
assessment of the CH-47's might be possible, but pointed out
logistical difficulties in getting spare parts to repair these
older aircraft. He suggested we start with some professional
training at NDU, and then technical training. He also invited
Az-Zwayy to visit EUCOM. Az-Zwayy responded that he was more
interested in visiting the U.S. Gration told post these early
stages of the relationship should be handled through field grade
mil-mil contacts. He would not recommend additional general
officer visits until before the end of the year.
4. (C) In the closing meeting, Az-Zwayy provided the text of a
draft MOU to
formalize the defense relationship. Gration thought formalized
annual
or biannual meetings might be in order. They did not discuss
the actual
MOU text. They did sign a set of minutes summarizing what was
discussed. (Both texts faxed to State NEA/MAG.)
5. (C) This message was cleared with EUCOM J5.
BERRY
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/MAG
EUCOM FOR J5
SECDEF FOR 0SD/ISA/NESA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 7/17/2016
TAGS: MARR PREL MASS LY
SUBJECT: EUCOM J5 MG GRATION BEGINS MIL-MIL DIALOGUE WITH LIBYA
CLASSIFIED BY: GREG BERRY, CDA, Embassy Tripoli, State.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)
CLASSIFIED BY: GREG BERRY, CDA, Embassy Tripoli, State.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)
1. (C) EUCOM J-5 MG Scott Gration became the first American
general officer to visit Libya in over a quarter of a century
during a low key July 8-12 visit. His visit was hosted by MG
Ahmed Mahmoud Az-Zway, the nominal head of the Staff College and
Bureau of Technical Coordination, and de facto Libyan military
point man for
dealing with the USA (including on the WMD issues). He also met
with MG Riffi Sharifi, the head of the Air Force, Dr. Ahmed
Fituri, the MFA U/S for American Affairs, and paid a site visit
to the Libyan Naval Academy, the American cemetery, and the
ruins of Leptis Magna.
2. (C) Uppermost on the Libyan agenda were the eight C-130's in
Georgia and the C-130's in Libya. The Libyans want both sets
assessed and if possible refurbished for
Libya's use. The Libyans are also interested in refurbishing
CH-47 helicopters, which they bought from the Italian company
Augusta. Az-Zway also asked about help
from the U.S. in setting up English language labs, a battle
simulation center and
improving Libya's coastal, border and air defense systems.
3. (C) MG Gration stressed a "crawl, walk, run" approach in
which we should first
develop a common understanding and vision, then start exchanges
and non-lethal
cooperation and then joint inter-operability. He explained
where things stood on licensing an assessment of the C-130's in
Georgia and thought a U.S. military team might be able to do an
assessment of the planes in Libya. He also thought an
assessment of the CH-47's might be possible, but pointed out
logistical difficulties in getting spare parts to repair these
older aircraft. He suggested we start with some professional
training at NDU, and then technical training. He also invited
Az-Zwayy to visit EUCOM. Az-Zwayy responded that he was more
interested in visiting the U.S. Gration told post these early
stages of the relationship should be handled through field grade
mil-mil contacts. He would not recommend additional general
officer visits until before the end of the year.
4. (C) In the closing meeting, Az-Zwayy provided the text of a
draft MOU to
formalize the defense relationship. Gration thought formalized
annual
or biannual meetings might be in order. They did not discuss
the actual
MOU text. They did sign a set of minutes summarizing what was
discussed. (Both texts faxed to State NEA/MAG.)
5. (C) This message was cleared with EUCOM J5.
BERRY