Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–5, Part 2, Documents on North Africa, 1969–1972

49. Information Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (Newsom) to the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Johnson)¹ ²

Washington, December 23, 1969

SUBJECT:

• Conclusion of Agreement Regarding Wheelus

Our Embassy in Tripoli reports that agreement has been reached with the Libyans on a US withdrawal date from Wheelus (June 30, 1970) and on the arrangements designed to assure that the American withdrawal is dignified. Although the Libyans have proved to be hard bargainers, the atmosphere of the talks has remained cordial. An agreed minute is expected to be signed at 8:00 p.m., Tripoli time (1:00 p.m., our time) December 23.

Signing of the minute may coincide with the arrival of Nasser in Tripoli as a guest of the LARG. The Nasser visit, which is expected to last for two days, may also result in an announcement of closer Libyan-Egyptian political or military cooperation, perhaps extending to Sudan. Nasser’s presence may also surface the fact that Egyptian troops, approximately 1,000, have been in Libya for about a week.

This combination of events may provoke domestic criticism of the Department for having agreed to negotiate for a US withdrawal from Wheelus at this particular time. If such criticism arises, the following replies may reasonably be made:

(1) The continued US presence at Wheelus, long after the conclusion of World War II, has been an increasing source of irritation in US-Libyan relations for several years. The new regime’s request for a US withdrawal undoubtedly reflects significant Libyan popular feeling.

(2) The US wishes to establish with the new Libyan regime a basis for longer-term friendly relationships. A refusal to negotiate on the LARG’s request that we withdraw would frustrate attainment of that objective.

(3) We saw no political advantage in delaying a negotiation on this problem; so far as we can determine, the present regime is the one with which we will have to deal over the foreseeable future. The British, who also agreed to negotiate on their Base, and to withdraw by March 31, 1970, are of the same opinion.

(4) The British decision to withdraw by March 31, 1970, obviously made more difficult any US “hold-out” on Wheelus.

Because we recognize the legitimate concerns regarding the use to which the Base might be put once we withdraw, we are asking Ambassador Palmer to express these concerns to Captain Jaluud, the RCC member who leads the Libyan negotiating team. Hopefully, Jaluud will indicate to the Ambassador that the Base will not be transferred to the control of any third country after the US forces leave.

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, DEF 15 LIBYA–US. Secret. Drafted by Blake. Sent for information. The text of the agreed minute, not printed, was sent to the Department in Airgram A–278, December 29. Intelligence Note 869, December 19, advised Rogers that, at Qadhaafi’s invitation, two Egyptian army units had been deployed to Libya’s two major cities. (Ibid., POL 23–9 LIBYA)
2. Newsom advised Johnson to prepare to deflect domestic criticism for the U.S. agreement to withdraw from Wheelus on June 30 at a time when ties were growing between Libya and Egypt.