ESTABLISHING A DATE FOR THE INAUGURAL POLITICAL MILITARY DIALOGUE WITH LIBYA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 000284



SIPDIS



E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/04/2020

TAGS: MASS, MARR, MCAP, MOPS, PARM, PGOV

SUBJECT: ESTABLISHING A DATE FOR THE INAUGURAL POLITICAL

MILITARY DIALOGUE WITH LIBYA



REF: A. TRIPOLI 899

B. TRIPOLI 893



Classified By: PM PDAS Tom Countryman, E.O. 12958, 1.4(b)(d)



1. (U) This is an action request; see para 5.



2. (C) The United States and Libya have an opportunity to

strengthen the bilateral relationship by establishing a

regular political-military dialogue, especially in light of

their recent signing of a 505 agreement (ref a). Furthermore,

the Department concurs with Post's suggestion to establish an

inaugural pol-mil dialogue in early 2010 (ref b),and

supports doing so as early as the January-February 2010

timeframe. These discussions should focus on building trust

on issues such as regional security, defense capabilities and

needs, end use monitoring, and broader security cooperation

issues (proposed agenda themes in para 5). It should be made

clear that Libyan participation in this dialogue is not

transactional in nature, but the goal is to establish a more

effective channel for an effective security-related dialogue

between the USG and GOL.



3. (C) Given the sensitivity of the bilateral relationship at

this time (stemming in particular from the Libyan welcome to

Pan Am 103 bomber Abdelbaset al-Megrahi,the human rights case

of Fathi al-Jahmi, balking on WMD commitments) and GOL

unfamiliarity with the mechanics and intent of pol-mil talks

with the USG, the Department proposes that Post engage with

the GOL to establish a date for the inaugural pol-mil talks.



4. (C) The Department envisions that the Principal Deputy

Assistant Secretary for Political-Military Affairs lead the

pol-mil talks with appropriate participation by NEA, DOD/OSD,

DOD/Joint Staff, AFRICOM, the NSC, and other interagency

partners. The timing of inaugural talks will be the subject

of close cooperation with Post, NEA, DOD and the NSC. These

talks are separate from, and broader in scope than, the

military to military "Council of Colonels" discussion (to be

held January 11-13).



5. (C/REL LIBYA) Action Request: Post is requested to draw

upon the U.S.-proposed agenda items below, and elicit GOL

proposals to develop the timing and substance of the pol-mil

dialogue. Post is also requested to begin discussions on the

desired composition of delegations, timing, location, and

other related matters. Regarding post's input for agenda

items in reftel B, the Department views discussion of Libya's

fulfillment of its Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)

(SCUD-B destruction) commitments as better suited for

established channels with officials from the Bureau of

International Security and Nonproliferation. We also

consider discussion of the disposition of Libya's efforts to

take delivery of the C-130s located in Marietta, Georgia as

an "if raised" topic only for this forum, as the USG has told

the GOL repeatedly to address any concerns about these

aircraft directly with Lockheed Martin.



SECURITY COOPERATION

- USG pol-mil talks globally: history, models and outcomes

(U.S.)

- Expanding cooperation in demining and combating MANPADS -

(U.S.)

- Requirements for the protection of U.S. military technology

- (e.g., the 505 Agreement, a budget transparency waiver, and

opportunities available to Libya now that they have signed

the 505 Agreement) (U.S.)



DEFENSE CAPABILITIES AND COOPERATION

- Resource/security requirements overview - (Libya)

- Strengthening defense trade via Foreign Military Sales -

(U.S.)

- Libya's defense procurement status - (U.S.)



REGIONAL SECURITY

- Regional security overview and strategic priorities - (U.S.

and Libya)

a. Identify common goals

b. Identify common threats (including regional

counterterrorism threats)



- Discuss specific regional security issues and Libya's role

and contributions thereto, including: (U.S. and Libya)

a. The AU North Africa Regional Capability;

b. Counterterrorism and associated issues (AQIM, LIFG,



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foreign fighters);

c. Trans Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership (TSCTP),

and how it can help Libya achieve its regional objectives;

d. Humanitarian demining, and MANPADS removal (Post can

note to the GOL that the delegation will come prepared to

discuss specific programs, and to offer funds toward a

jointly financed pilot program on demining).

e. Migration and illicit networks;

f. Chad

g. Sudan



- Discuss other security issues of mutual interest

a. Update on U.S./Coalition counter-piracy efforts

(U.S.)

b. Libyan participation in U.N. peacekeeping missions

within Africa. (U.S.)

c. Afghanistan, Iran, and Yemen (U.S. and Libya)



- Opportunities for AFRICOM and Libya to work together on

regional and continental security -(U.S.)



- Next steps on increasing cooperation in areas of mutual

strategic concern - (U.S. and Libya)



6. Request feedback by January 8. PM Bureau Point of contact

is Tom Mancinelli, 202 647 9531 or

mancinellitj@state.sgov.gov.

CLINTON