FOREIGN MINISTER REQUESTS INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGED U.S.

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NOFORN
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/MAG

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV LY UN
SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER REQUESTS INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGED U.S.
MISTREATMENT OF SENIOR LIBYAN OFFICIAL

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1. (S/NF) Summary: Foreign Minister Musa Kusa summoned the
Ambassador to his office October 26 to convey very strong Libyan
anger and disappointment in the treatment of Libyan UN Permanent
Representative Abdulrahman Shalgam and his wife by John F.
Kennedy Airport security officials upon their recent departure
from New York. Kusa emphasized that the Libyan Government
considered the situation very serious and that Libyan Leader
Muammar al-Qadhafi was personally angered. Kusa demanded that
the USG investigate the incident and respond with a report as
soon as practical so that the Libyan side could determine what
"measures" it would take in response. Kusa assured the
Ambassador that the GOL would not treat AmCit travelers or
diplomats in a reciprocal manner at Libyan airports. Libya is
considering lodging a formal complaint at the United Nations,
during which Shalgam may provide an account of his experience.
The Department's guidance and assistance in investigating the
situation is requested. End Summary.


2. (S/NF) A visibly angry Musa Kusa summoned the Ambassador
(accompanied by P/E Chief) on October 26 to express very strong
Libyan anger, including that of the Libyan Leader, regarding the
reported treatment UN Permanent Representative Abdulrahman
Shalgam had received recently during security processing at John

F. Kennedy Airport in New York. Kusa said Shalgam and his wife
were put in a room and subjected to "strip searches and rude
behavior as if they were criminals." The trauma had affected
Shalgam's wife so deeply that, according to Kusa, she is
currently under hospital care.


3. (S/NF) Kusa called the incident unjustified and immoral:
"Morally speaking, Shalgam is a guest in your country. If he
had done something wrong or was a security threat, then that
would have been a different story. How would you like it if
your diplomats were treated by us in such a manner?" He argued
that if a high level diplomat such as Shalgam -- a former
foreign minister -- could experience such treatment by U.S.
officials, then other Libyan diplomats or average Libyan
travelers were probably facing even worse treatment. Kusa
stated that the GOL was considering withdrawing Shalgam from his
post as a result of the incident.


4. (S/NF) The Ambassador informed Kusa that the Embassy first
heard of the incident via MFA diplomatic note four days prior to
the meeting and was working with the Departments of State and
Homeland Security to investigate the situation. Kusa believed
the State Department should have "known" about the incident
immediately. He asserted that news of the incident had spread
throughout the leadership and had resurrected intensive
questioning as to how Libya could justify this new relationship
with the United States, saying "if you do not desire to continue
the relationship, then tell us. There is no need to treat
Libyan nationals in such a manner."


5. (S/NF) The Ambassador told Kusa that Libya should not
interpret the reported actions of a few individuals as
reflective of an official, anti-Libya position within the USG.
He added that both sides understand that, from time to time,
problems will occur in the relationship, and that we should find
a way to work through them. Kusa said the Libyan Government --
including Muammar al-Qadhafi himself -- wanted a full report
from the U.S. explaining why a senior Libyan official had been
subject to the alleged mistreatment. He was baffled by the
circumstances that could have prompted such action. The
Ambassador reiterated his assurances that the USG would review
the circumstances surrounding the incident.


6. (S/NF) Kusa stated that Libya would not retaliate against
U.S. travelers in response to the incident. He insisted on a
speedy reply to the GOL's request for a full investigation. "We
will consider the case open until we reach an acceptable
conclusion. In light of what happens, we will carry out
appropriate measures," he warned. Kusa threatened that Libya
might be forced to take the issue to the UN General Assembly and
that Shalgam may personally relate the events in that forum.


7. (S/NF) Comment: The incident involving Abdulrahman Shalgam,
compounded by Libyan reports of previous incidents involving its
diplomats and officials, has elicited attention and anger at the
highest levels of the Libyan regime. Embassy requests
expeditious Department assistance in investigating the

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circumstances surrounding the incident. As recent Swiss and
Canadian encounters have shown, Libya takes these issues
seriously and we need to provide a reply and find a solution
quickly if the matter is not to escalate. End comment.
CRETZ