ESTABLISHING A U.S.-LIBYA POLITICAL-MILITARY

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 STATE 119290 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/04/2118 TAGS: LY MOPS PARM PREL SUBJECT: ESTABLISHING A U.S.-LIBYA POLITICAL-MILITARY DIALOGUE Classified By: PM A/S Mark T. Kimmitt E.O. 12958 Reasons 1.4 (b),(d) ¶1. (U) This is an action request for Embassy Tripoli. Please see paragraph 2. -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶2. (U) The Department requests that Post engage appropriate host country officials at the earliest opportunity (November 9 if possible) to seek host country views on establishing and hosting a political-military dialogue in December 2008. Additionally, the Department seeks host country comment on the proposed agenda provided in paragraph 9, which may be left as a non-paper. -------------- OBJECTIVES -------------- ¶3. (U) Department instructs Embassy to pursue the following objectives: -- Impress upon the Libyan government that establishing a regular political-military dialogue will represent another important step in strengthening our bilateral relationship, particularly after decades of inactivity vis-a-vis military cooperation, and offers a regular forum for discussing security issues of mutual and regional interest. -- Note that focused security and defense cooperation provide areas where we believe the U.S. and Libya can increase bilateral ties on issues of mutual strategic importance. -- Provide the Libyan government with a preliminary agenda for its review, and welcome any suggestions or comments. We envision the dialogue to be comprised of sessions that would focus on issues falling under the broad themes of regional security, defense trade, and security cooperation. -- Note that we look forward to hearing the Libyan government's thoughts on the agenda and proposed dates that would accommodate such a dialogue. -------------- REPORTING DEADLINE -------------- ¶4. (U) Post should report findings by cable to PM/RSAT Chris Danielewski before November 14. -------------- BACKGROUND -------------- ¶5. (S) The Department proposes holding the inaugural round of the political-military talks in December 2008 in Tripoli. The dialogue should be led by the U.S. Department of State (PM) and Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the Assistant Secretary-level and, on the U.S. side, include senior participants from State PM and NEA and representatives from the Department of Defense and Africa Command. Based on Libya's national security policy-making structure, a similar composition of Libyan representatives would be expected. The dialogue would be held on an annual basis, with the option of more frequent lower level meetings if necessary, in alternating capitals. We envision the agenda encompassing regional security, defense trade, and security cooperation issues. The Department would welcome Libya's thoughts on these proposed topics, as well as those issues that the Libyan government believes important for discussion. We note, however, that all/all end-use and other requirements will need to be met before we could realize serious progress towards approval of lethal defense articles. ¶6. (S) REGIONAL SECURITY: North Africa is an area of great strategic importance, requiring a cooperative effort to address such regional security challenges as combating terrorism (i.e., AQIM) and resolving the conflict in Darfur. We would welcome a discussion on what the U.S. and Libya see as the primary security challenges in the region, what we each see as our strategic priorities, and how we might effectively cooperate to address them. ¶7. (S) DEFENSE TRADE: Should the USG anticipate undertaking a STATE 00119290 002 OF 003 decision to begin lethal defense trade with Libya, amendment of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) for Libya would be necessary before any sales of lethal defense articles could proceed. A review of Libya's military capabilities and requirements, via a modernization assessment, could assist in determining actual defense needs and system priorities. We will also need to set the conditions for end-use and retransfer assurances to be addressed sufficiently to ensure proper protection of U.S. technologies and information. ¶8. (S) SECURITY COOPERATION: There are several areas where we can increase cooperation to further enhance the bilateral relationship, such as training and counterproliferation (i.e. Man-Portable Air Defense Systems - MANPADS and Small Arms and Light Weapons - SA/LW). U.S. security assistance through the Department's International Military Education and Training (IMET) Program aims to professionalize Libya's military and security services, fostering closer ties between the U.S. and Libyan armed forces. Through the Department's Program for Nonproliferation, Antiterrorism, Demining and Related Programs (NADR),we seek to assist the Libyan government in its ability to interdict illicit transfers of strategic items, such as MANPADS and SA/LW, at Libya's borders and ports. In addition, expected Libyan participation in the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership (TSCTP) could further facilitate future training and exchange opportunities. ¶9. (S/REL LIBYA) Text of Proposed Agenda: U.S.-Libya Political-Military Dialogue Agenda The United States views the establishment of a regular political-military dialogue with Libya as an important step in strengthening our bilateral relationship. North Africa is an area of great strategic importance, requiring a cooperative effort to address such challenges as combating terrorism (i.e., AQIM) and resolving the conflict in Darfur. This dialogue offers a forum for discussing security issues of mutual and regional interest, as well as Libya's military needs and areas of potential future political-military cooperation. The United States proposes the dialogue be comprised of sessions that would address: (1) Regional Security * Regional Security overview and strategic priorities - (led by U.S. and Libya) 0 Identifying common goals 0 Identifying common threats (including regional counterterrorism threats) 0 Country/region-specific discussions could include: Sudan, Chad, the Maghreb and possibly the Sahel, Iraq, and Iran. * Next steps on increasing cooperation in areas of mutual strategic concern - (U.S. and Libya) 0 Future efforts on TSCTP (2) Defensive Capabilities and Cooperation * Current military capabilities overview - (Libya) * Resource/security requirements overview - (Libya) * Strengthening defense trade via Foreign Military Sales (briefing) - (U.S.) * Libya's defense procurement status - (U.S.) (3) Security Cooperation * Expanding training opportunities via the IMET Program - (U.S.) * Expanding counterproliferation cooperation in combating MANPADS and SA/LW - (U.S.) The United States looks forward to discussing these issues, as well as to designing the future goals and objectives for future rounds of this dialogue. -------------- POINT OF CONTACT -------------- ¶10. (U) Department points of contact for this issue are Chris Danielewski (PM/RSAT),danielewskica@state.sgov.gov, (202) STATE 00119290 003 OF 003 647-0389 and Amanda Johnson (NEA/MAG), johnsonal2@state.sgov.gov, (202) 647-4674. ¶11. (U) Tripoli minimize considered. RICE