Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TRIPOLI678
2009-08-20 10:22:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Tripoli
Cable title:  

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

Tags:  PREL PGOV PHUM PINR PTER LY 
pdf how-to read a cable
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ZNY SSSSS ZZH
P R 201022Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5175
INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1127
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0800
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 0569
RUEHNJ/AMEMBASSY NDJAMENA 0177
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI 5719
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

TRIPOLI 00000678 001.2 OF 002


CLASSIFIED BY: Joan Polaschik, Charge d'Affaires, U.S. Embassy
Tripoli, Department of State.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)
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

TRIPOLI 00000678 001.2 OF 002


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 d
irect 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