Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ALGIERS252
2008-03-03 13:23:00
SECRET
Embassy Algiers
Cable title:
BOUTEFLIKA: LIBYA LOOKING TOWARDS U.S.
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S E C R E T ALGIERS 000252
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/02/2023
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER KDEM AG
SUBJECT: BOUTEFLIKA: LIBYA LOOKING TOWARDS U.S.
Classified By: Ambassador Robert S. Ford; reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
S E C R E T ALGIERS 000252
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/02/2023
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER KDEM AG
SUBJECT: BOUTEFLIKA: LIBYA LOOKING TOWARDS U.S.
Classified By: Ambassador Robert S. Ford; reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (S) In a February 26 meeting with NEA Assistant
Secretary C. David Welch, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika
SIPDIS
stated emphatically that while Libyan Leader Muammar
al-Qadhafi needs to protect his image with a sometimes
defiant public discourse, his mindset is now firmly
pro-U.S. Furthermore, according to Bouteflika, the members
of Qadhafi's inner circle are all pro-American,
open-minded, and in many cases U.S.-educated. Although the
current unresolved claims against Libya by families of
terror victims have prevented the U.S.-Libyan relationship
from progressing more rapidly, Bouteflika told A/S Welch to
"count on Libya wanting good relations with the U.S."
2. (S) A/S Welch said Bouteflika could tell Qadhafi that
the U.S. intends to work through these problems and does
not want to go back to the past. Bouteflika responded
without hesitation that Qadhafi wants the same thing, and
nobody in the region wants to go back to the way things
were. Qadhafi's only concern now, according to Bouteflika,
is terrorism. He said Algeria enjoys good counterterrorism
cooperation with Libya and was optimistic it would get even
better.
3. (U) This cable has not been cleared by A/S Welch.
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/02/2023
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER KDEM AG
SUBJECT: BOUTEFLIKA: LIBYA LOOKING TOWARDS U.S.
Classified By: Ambassador Robert S. Ford; reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (S) In a February 26 meeting with NEA Assistant
Secretary C. David Welch, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika
SIPDIS
stated emphatically that while Libyan Leader Muammar
al-Qadhafi needs to protect his image with a sometimes
defiant public discourse, his mindset is now firmly
pro-U.S. Furthermore, according to Bouteflika, the members
of Qadhafi's inner circle are all pro-American,
open-minded, and in many cases U.S.-educated. Although the
current unresolved claims against Libya by families of
terror victims have prevented the U.S.-Libyan relationship
from progressing more rapidly, Bouteflika told A/S Welch to
"count on Libya wanting good relations with the U.S."
2. (S) A/S Welch said Bouteflika could tell Qadhafi that
the U.S. intends to work through these problems and does
not want to go back to the past. Bouteflika responded
without hesitation that Qadhafi wants the same thing, and
nobody in the region wants to go back to the way things
were. Qadhafi's only concern now, according to Bouteflika,
is terrorism. He said Algeria enjoys good counterterrorism
cooperation with Libya and was optimistic it would get even
better.
3. (U) This cable has not been cleared by A/S Welch.