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