LIBYAN MFA SEEKS PROGRESS ON POLITICAL-MILITARY ISSUES

S E C R E T TRIPOLI 000817



SIPDIS



DEPT FOR PM/WRA - STEPHANIE PICO AND KATHERINE BAKER



E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/12/2019

TAGS: PREL, PARM, PHUM, LY

SUBJECT: LIBYAN MFA SEEKS PROGRESS ON POLITICAL-MILITARY ISSUES



REF: A. A) Knoch-McManus email of 10/7/09

B. B) State 102509



CLASSIFIED BY: Joan Polaschik, DCM, U.S. Embassy Tripoli,

Department of State.

REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)

1. (C) DCM and DATT met with MFA A/S-equivalent Ahmed Fituri on

October 8, at his request, to discuss pending security

assistance and mil-mil cooperation issues. Fituri said that he

had arranged the meeting at the behest of Libyan National

Security Advisor Dr. Muatassim al-Qadhafi, who was eager to move

cooperation forward following Muammar al-Qadhafi's visit to the

New York for the UN General Assembly. Fituri added that he

hoped progress on these pending issues -- including possible

Libyan participation in Bright Star exercises -- would lay the

groundwork for successful political-military talks later this

year.



2. (C) Noting that the National Security Advisor had asked for

clarification of certain language in the Section 505 Agreement

governing end-use of bilateral military assistance, Fituri asked

whether the U.S. had any further information. Drawing on ref a,

DATT briefed Fituri on Article E of the standard Section 505

language, explaining that the clause was included to cover any

possible future bilateral military assistance that could be

provided under other legal authorities. DATT emphasized that

this language did not in any way convey that the U.S. was

promising additional new military assistance. Fituri said that

he understood, and would brief the National Security Advisor on

the issue.



3. (C) Fituri also asked for an update on the list of military

equipment requested by Muatassim al-Qadhafi during his April

visit to the United States. DATT explained that the United

States had briefed the National Security Advisor's officer

repeatedly on the regulations governing Foreign Military Sales

and the appropriate way forward. Noting that the U.S. was

limited to non-lethal sales, the DATT suggested that the Libyan

Government sign the pending Letters of Offer and Acceptance

before initiating any new requests. Fituri agreed that this

approach made sense, and said he hoped this topic could be

included in any future political-military dialogue.



4. (S) DCM noted that the U.S. also had been looking at topics

to include in a future political-military dialogue, and had

identified man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) and

humanitarian demining as potential areas of cooperation (ref b).

A new partnership on eliminating the threat of MANPADS and

eliminating Libya's landmine and UXO problem would advance our

shared security goals and complement our existing security

cooperation. Fituri said he was not familiar with either of

these issues, but would brief Foreign Minister Musa Kusa. He

asked that we convey ref b points in a diplomatic note,

highlighting the possibility of expert-level discussions. DCM

agreed to do so.



CRETZ