Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TRIPOLI14
2009-01-11 15:27:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tripoli
Cable title:  

AMBASSADOR PRESENTS CREDENTIALS

Tags:  PREL PGOV PHUM ODIP OPDC LY 
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TelegramUNCLASSIFIED TRIPOLI 00000014 
VZCZCXRO4145
PP RUEHTRO
DE RUEHTRO #0014 0111527
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P R 111527Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4306
INFO RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 1373
RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 0052
RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS 0078
RUEHTU/AMEMBASSY TUNIS 0730
RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS 0862
RUEHRB/AMEMBASSY RABAT 0805
RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI 4829
UNCLAS TRIPOLI 000014 

DEPT FOR NEA/MAG AND NEA/FO (HUDSON)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM ODIP OPDC LY
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR PRESENTS CREDENTIALS

UNCLAS TRIPOLI 000014

DEPT FOR NEA/MAG AND NEA/FO (HUDSON)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM ODIP OPDC LY
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR PRESENTS CREDENTIALS


1. (U)The Ambassador presented his credentials on January 11 to
the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, becoming
the first U.S. ambassador to Tripoli since 1972. In a brief,
simple ceremony at the offices of the General People's Congress,
Secretary of the General People's Congress Muftah Kaybah
received the Ambassador's credentials. He was accompanied by:
Secretary of the General People's Congress for Foreign Liaison
and International Cooperation Suleiman Shahumi (SFRC
Chair-equivalent); MFA Secretary for Arab Affairs Muhammad Taher
Siala (A/S-equivalent),MFA Protocol Head of Privileges and
Immunities al-Mahdi al-Ouwdi; and MFA Director of the Americas
Department Muhammad Matari (DAS-equivalent).


2. (U) In brief remarks, the Ambassador underscored how far
relations had evolved in the past five years, stressing that
implementation of the U.S.-Libya claims compensation agreement
and the recent exchange of ambassadors (Libyan Ambassador Ali
Aujali presented his credentials at the White House on January
8) marked a turning of the page on the contretemps of the past.
The U.S. was keen to deepen the range of bilateral engagement,
to include building a new embassy compound, providing full visa
services to Libyan applicants, expanding commercial ties,
increasing the number of Libyan students studying in the U.S.,
re-establishing people-to-people ties that had lapsed since the
1970's, and exploring more robust military-to-military
engagement. The U.S. would also engage the Libyan government on
key issues of principle, such as human rights, as it does with
all nations with whom it enjoys diplomatic relations.


3. (U) Secretary Kaybah offered remarks welcoming the
Ambassador's arrival and attendant elevation of bilateral
diplomatic representation, and stressing Libya's desire to work
cooperatively with the U.S. The strategic and historic decision
of Leader Muammar al-Qadhafi to renounce terrorism and abandon
WMD programs had facilitated the historic process of U.S.-Libya
re-engagement, he said. He emphasized that Libya's record of
participation in various international bodies focused on human
rights was long and distinguished, and cautioned the U.S. and
others to remain mindful of the fact that human rights should be
interpreted in each country's "unique historical and cultural
context".

CRETZ