RESPONSE TO NORTH KOREA TEST ANNOUNCEMENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L TRIPOLI 000586 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/MAG, ISN,EAP,IO E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/12/2016 TAGS: PREL PARM KNNP KN LY SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO NORTH KOREA TEST ANNOUNCEMENT REF: STATE 169418 CLASSIFIED BY: Elizabeth Fritschle, Pol/Econ Chief, United States Embassy, DOS. REASON: 1.4 (b),(d) ¶1. (C) Charge met with Ahmed Fitouri, Secretary of American Affairs at the General People's Committee for Foreign Liaison and International Cooperation (MFA equivalent) on October 12 and conveyed reftel talking points, stressing the need for swift and stern measures in response to the North Korean announcement. Fitouri questioned whether or not the nuclear test had actually taken place and asked if the U.S. had independently confirmed the North Korean's announcement. ¶2. (C) In response to the request for support of an UNSC Chapter VII resolution , Fitouri said, "Libya acknowledged how dangerous nuclear weapons can be; the Leader's initiative set a positive example for the entire world." He added that, while it was unclear what repercussions would be appropriate if the testing took place, "Libya will work to prevent any dangers to the world." He did not offer any response to the request that countries take firm actions, including financial measures, to freeze assets and transactions related to proliferation activities. GOLDRICH