95. Letter From Secretary of Defense McNamara to the Libyan Minister of Defense (Belkhair)0
Excellency: I wish to express my appreciation for having had the opportunity last Thursday1 to receive you at my office and to discuss Libyan military problems in the full and frank manner appropriate between representatives of two such friendly nations as ours.
Let me say at the outset that I, like you, consider the principle of close collaboration between our two countries in the strengthening of the Libyan forces to be a matter beyond question. I know you will agree that the U.S. through past assistance has already demonstrated the sincerity of its dedication to this principle. Together with the United Kingdom and in full consultation with your government, we undertook to provide assistance in developing a Libyan army of 5,000 men and my Government has considered this program, which was based on a detailed military [Page 141] survey, as appropriate to meet Libya’s minimum internal security requirements. Your Excellency has recognized that the U.S. Government has responsibilities extending around the world.
In light of your exposition of the need to further strengthen and modernize the Libyan army, however, I am prepared to review the situation for the purpose of determining the extent to which further U.S. military assistance may be justified. Some additional equipment is no doubt desirable. Meanwhile, to reflect my Government’s intent to be responsive, I have issued instructions that the delivery of certain items of already-programmed equipment be expedited in order to be on hand for your December 24 ceremonies this year.
As regards your desire to develop a Libyan Air Force, let me assure you that the U.S. Government views this matter with sympathy. To provide the nucleus for this force, we have already undertaken to train two pilots, and I take this opportunity to inform you that we plan to deliver two T-33 jet aircraft in 1963 when your pilots will have completed their training. In addition, we plan to provide training for Libyan technical personnel to maintain these aircraft. Finally, we are prepared to send to Libya a team of selected personnel from the Department of Defense to assist you in planning for the future development of the Libyan Air Force.
I am, however, obliged to state frankly that your request for more equipment for the Libyan Army appears to me, in a number of respects, to be excessive to your present military needs and capabilities, particularly in view of the 5,000-man ceiling, including both combat and support troops, which you stated to me that you have placed on the size of your army. Past experience makes clear, for example, that the U.S. Congress would be unlikely to provide funds for far more vehicles per soldier in the Libyan army than we supply to our own forces.
Accordingly, I feel that such portion of your request as might be provided by the U.S. Government on a grant basis must be determined on the basis of a detailed re-examination of your requirements at the military level in Libya by the MAAG in consultation with Libyan military officials.
As I stated to you, the Department of Defense is prepared to send additional qualified personnel to Libya to assist in this re-examination. Furthermore, in view of the role of Great Britain in the training of the Libyan army, I feel that this study should be coordinated not only between representatives of our two governments but also with appropriate British officials. I can assure you that I will give my closest personal attention to the recommendations which result from this reassessment. Should your government feel that additional materiel is still required beyond that which the U.S. agrees to provide as a grant following this study, the [Page 142] Department of Defense would be willing to help the Libyan Government to arrange the purchase of such additional equipment.
I trust, Excellency, that this plan of procedure meets with your approval, as I believe it provides the best means of ensuring that the continued cooperation we both desire will proceed on a mutually satisfactory basis.2
Sincerely,
- Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OASD/ISA Files: FRC 65 A 3501, Libya 000.1-121, 1962. Secret. No drafting information appears on the source text. The text of this letter was sent to McNamara under cover of a memorandum from Nitze indicating that the letter had been prepared in response to McNamara’s instructions. McNamara personally delivered the letter to Belkhair on June 25.↩
- Secretary McNamara met with Belkhair, who was on an unofficial visit to Washington en route to Libya from Taiwan, on June 21. The conversation was recorded in a memorandum for the record. (Ibid.)↩
- Belkhair thanked the Secretary for his attention to and appreciation of Libya’s military problems and called the letter “encouraging and a source of great satisfaction.” (Telegram 209 to Benghazi, June 25; Department of State, Central Files, 773.56/6-2362)↩
- Printed from a copy that indicates McNamara signed the original.↩