Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ALGIERS259
2008-03-03 15:52:00
SECRET
Embassy Algiers
Cable title:
BOUTEFLIKA: LIBYA LOOKING TOWARDS U.S.
how-toVZCZCXRO3497 PP RUEHTRO DE RUEHAS #0259 0631552 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 031552Z MAR 08 FM AMEMBASSY ALGIERS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5391 INFO RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID 8849 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 2602 RUEHRB/AMEMBASSY RABAT 2224 RUEHTU/AMEMBASSY TUNIS 7077 RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI RUEHNK/AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT 6273 RUEHNM/AMEMBASSY NIAMEY 1512 RUEHBP/AMEMBASSY BAMAKO 0461 RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 0454 RUEHCL/AMCONSUL CASABLANCA 3307 RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
S E C R E T ALGIERS 000259
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 000259
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 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.
FORD
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 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.
FORD