QADHAFI DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION LAYS OUT GOALS, BUT SAIF TO REMAIN OFFICIALLY OUTSIDE OF POLITICS

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 TRIPOLI 000678



NOFORN

SIPDIS



STATE FOR NEA/MAG, DRL/NESCA (KARI JOHNSTONE),PM/RSAT (MIKE MILLER),L (ROBERT HARRIS),AND INR



E.O. 12958: DECL: 8/20/2019

TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PHUM, PINR, PTER, LY

SUBJECT: QADHAFI DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION LAYS OUT GOALS, BUT SAIF TO

REMAIN OFFICIALLY OUTSIDE OF POLITICS



REF: A. Tripoli 487; B. State 129000; C. 08 Tripoli 679



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CLASSIFIED BY: Joan Polaschik, Charge d'Affaires, U.S. Embassy

Tripoli, Department of State.

REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)

1. (S/NF) Summary. Qadhafi International Charity and Development

Foundation Executive Director Yusuf Sawani discussed with the

Charge and Pol/Econ Chief the foundation's human rights work,

its overall workplan, and preparations for its annual youth

rally August 20. He stated unequivocally that Saif would not

attend the youth rally, but noted that he may broadcast remarks

via satellite from Europe. [Note: Other reporting indicates

that Saif does/does plan to return to Tripoli around August 20.]

He confirmed that Saif al-Islam's new satellite TV station, "Al

Mutawasat/The Mediterranean," would begin broadcasting from the

UK on August 20. Sawani claimed not to know whether Saif

planned to return to Tripoli for the 40th anniversary of his

father's coup and insisted that that although Saif was involved

in the government's "rehabilitation" efforts of Libyan Islamic

Fighting Group members, he would continue to operate outside of

the official political sphere. Sawani did not comment on Saif's

recent 1.5 million pound sterling donation to the Center for the

Study of Global Governance at the London School of Economics.

Sawani's comments on Saif's interest in repatriating Abdel

Basset al-Megrahi were reported in ref A. End Summary.



2. (C) In an August 16 meeting with Charge and Pol/Econ Chief,

Yusuf Sawani, the Executive Director of Saif al-Islam's Qadhafi

International Charity and Development Foundation (QDF),

commended the U.S. initiative to launch a bilateral Human Rights

Dialogue, noting that Saif had recommended during his November

2008 visit to Washington the establishment of a joint commission

to investigate and report on bilateral human rights issues (ref

B). Sawani said that Saif thought it was necessary to orient

the Libyan Government toward areas where it should focus its

attention, including human rights, via direct discussions

between the nations. Sawani thought the bilateral Human Rights

Dialogue would be a valuable mechanism for minimizing areas of

disagreement and encouraging transparency within the

relationship.



3. (C) Regarding the recent statement of objectives that QDF

distributed the week of August 10, Sawani noted that the three

issue areas highlighted in the statement were ongoing projects

for the Foundation that it intended to bring to completion in

the short-term. Those areas include: work to complete

compensation payments to families of those killed in the Abu

Salim prison riots; assistance to families affected by Libya's

participation in Chad's civil war and demining efforts in Chad;

and work on the release and repatriation of convicted Pan Am 103

bomber Abdel Basset al-Megrahi (ref A). Sawani set a deadline

of June 2010 for completion of compensation payments to families

of those killed at Abu Salim prison. Noting that demonstrations

still take place at the prison site, he explained that QDF was

working to obtain government permission to demolish the prison

in order for resolution to be achieved. Similarly, he said that

QDF wanted the government to be involved and do more to push

forward QDF's efforts in Chad. QDF will establish a new

charitable organization to lead its efforts to provide social

services -- basic health services, education, clean water -- to

the hundreds of Libyan families affected by Libya's involvement

in the Chadian civil war (i.e., the families of Libyan soldiers

who died for the cause). He stated that the GOL had designated

an office within the Ministry of Defense to address the needs of

the Libyan families, which he called corrupt and incompetent.

Through the QDF affiliate "Demining Society," the Foundation

also plans to continue to support demining efforts in Chad.

Sawani noted that work had already been done in the valley of

Ojanga and will continue in the Wadi Edoom valley.



4. (S/NF) Sawani was notably reticent in response to our

inquiries about plans for QDF's annual youth rally. He said

that Saif would not return to Libya to speak at the August 20

rally, as he was busy vacationing in London or Vienna (Sawani

claimed not to know) and also was preoccupied with his new

(undefined) role at the Center for Global Governance at the

London School of Economics. [Note: Other reporting and Embassy

political and economic contacts with independent relations to

QDF have indicated that Saif will return to Libya on/around

August 20. End Note.] Sawani agreed with local reports

estimating that 100,000 youth are expected to attend the QDF

youth rally. He confirmed that the rally will take place in

Tripoli. The opening of youth day will also coincide with the

launching of Saif's latest media channel - "Al Mutawasat/The

Mediterranean," which will begin broadcasting from London August

20. Sawani mentioned that Saif may broadcast remarks via

satellite, perhaps using his new television channel -- or



TRIPOLI 00000678 002.2 OF 002





perhaps not -- to deliver his annual message to Libya's youth.

He said the youth rally program would include distribution of

gifts, such as computers, to attendees. When asked whether Saif

would return for the 40th anniversary of his father's

revolution, Sawani claimed not to know. He took the opportunity

to emphasize that Saif had no intention of returning to

political life.



5. (C) Sawani willingly commented on recent press reports that

Saif was working to reform the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group

(LIFG) and had succeeded in urging them to adopt a more moderate

doctrine. Sawani said that QDF had provided reading and

reference material to LIFG members being held in Libyan

detention facilities, in order to teach them more moderate views

of Islam. He said that Saif's work with the LIFG, coupled with

the Leader's political backing, had succeeded in reforming the

LIFG platform. The group produced a 400-page doctrine stating

its revised goals and outlining a more moderate Islamic

philosophy. Sawani noted that QDF had facilitated meetings

between LIFG members and well-respected Islamic scholars such as

Yusuf al-Qardawi and Sheikh Ali Asalabi. Sawani noted that the

LIFG in Libya claimed never to have had ties to Al Qaeda

networks. He affirmed that he had read press reports from UK

and Switzerland-based LIFG networks announcing a severance of

ties to Al Qaeda, although he claimed not to have further

insight into those decisions.



6. (C) Comment: Although Saif al-Islam has claimed time and

again that he is a non-political figure and will remain outside

of politics, his recent moves to reform the LIFG, secure

Megrahi's release, and work to compensate victims of the Abu

Salim prison riots all appear to be political overtures. His

status as a non-governmental entity may benefit his chances for

succession, as he would take after his father's role as

extra-governmental "Leader" of the people's Jamahiriya, and may

therefore be in his best interest. His humanitarian agenda also

lends him a good platform for dealing with the West and building

relations with reform-minded individuals within Libya. While

Saif has been steadily withdrawing from the public scene since

last year's youth rally (ref C),a confluence of high-profile

events - including the Megrahi release, the August 20 youth

rally and launch of his new satellite television station, and

the September 1 anniversary of the revolution - could throw him

back into the spotlight. End Comment.

POLASCHIK