8. Telegram 51869 From the Department of State to the Mission to the United Nations

Summary: The U.S. Mission to the UN was sent a copy of telegram to Tripoli in which the Embassy was instructed to deliver a note to the Libyan Foreign Ministry protesting the March 21 attack of an unarmed U.S. military transport by the Libyan Air Force. The Department requested an immediate investigation into the incident.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Secret. Drafted by Warren Clark, Jr. in AF/N; cleared by Ernest Thomas Greene in IO/UNP; and approved by Clark. Sent for action to Tripoli, and repeated to USCINCEUR and CINCUSAFE.

9. Letter From the Deputy Secretary of Defense (Clements) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)

Summary: Clements provided Kissinger with four options in response to the March 21 Libyan attack on a U.S. C–130 aircraft.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 739, Country Files, Africa, Libya. Top Secret; Sensitive. The letter was sent to Scowcroft, April 6, under a covering memorandum from Dick Kennedy. Scowcroft wrote on the memorandum: “Action taken.”

10. Telegram 62911 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Libya

Summary: The Embassy was instructed to deliver a note to Minister of Foreign Affairs Mansur Kikhyan, explaining the U.S. position regarding the distinction between “restricted area” and “danger area” in international law. The Embassy was also instructed to share the results of the U.S. investigation into the March 21 incident.

Source: Washington National Records Center, OSD Files: FRC 330–780002, Box 6, Libya 452. Secret; Priority; Exdis. Drafted by James J. Blake in AF/N on April 3; cleared by Miller in S/S, Assistant Secretary for African Affairs David D. Newsom, in substance by Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs Joseph Sisco, and in substance by the Director of the Bureau of Intelligence and Research Ray S. Cline; and approved by the Under Secretary for Political Affairs William J. Porter. A notation on the document reads: “Deputy Secretary has seen.” In telegram 449 from Tripoli, April 10, the Embassy informed the Department that the note was delivered that morning. (Ibid.)

11. Telegram 460 From the Embassy in Libya to the Department of State

Summary: Chargé Harold G. Josif questioned the wisdom and timing of the resumption of reconnaissance flights over Libya. Josif expressed concern about the impact of the flights on tensions in the Middle East, and dismay that more time for diplomatic action in Tripoli was not allowed.

Source: Washington National Records Center, OSD Files: FRC 330–780002, Box 6, Libya 452. Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Repeated to Rabat.

12. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon

Summary: Kissinger proposed the resumption of reconnaissance flights off the Libyan coast.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 739, Country Files, Africa, Libya. Top Secret; Outside the System. Sent for action. Nixon initialed his approval of the recommendation. Tab A was not attached. A memorandum from Kissinger to Nixon, April 17, informed the President of the successful completion of an escorted reconnaissance mission off the Libyan coast. (Ibid.)

13. Minutes of a Washington Special Actions Group Meeting

Summary: The Washington Special Actions Group met to discuss hostile Libyan actions against U.S. reconnaissance flights over international waters.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–91, WSAG Meeting Minutes, 1973. Top Secret; Sensitive. The meeting took place in the Situation Room at the White House. At the April 17 WSAG meeting, it was decided that reconnaissance missions would resume over international waters off the coast of Libya “in the normal manner”. (Ibid.)

14. Memorandum From Harold Saunders and Richard Kennedy of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)

Summary: Saunders and Kennedy gave Kissinger the options paper on the Libyan situation requested by the Washington Special Actions Group on April 16.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 739, Country Files, Africa, Libya. Top Secret; Sensitive. An unknown hand underlined everything after the word “however” in the last sentence of the covering memorandum, and drew two parallel lines in the margin beside it.

15. Memorandum From Director of Central Intelligence Schlesinger to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)

Summary: Schlesinger summarized an Agency report of Qadhafi’s impact on U.S. interests, the Arab world and Africa. [text not declassified]

Source: Central Intelligence Agency, Office of the Director of Central Intelligence, Job 80M01066A, OPI 10, Box 13, Folder 8. Secret, [text not declassified].

16. Memorandum From the Executive Secretary of the 40 Committee (Ratliff) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)

[Source: National Security Council, Nixon Administration Intelligence Files, Subject Files, Libya, Box 9, February 10, 1970–June 26, 1973. Secret. 2 pages not declassified.]

17. Memorandum From the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Porter) to Secretary of State Rogers

Summary: Porter presented Rogers with recommendations for specific actions to address various policy problems and avoid a break in diplomatic relations with Libya.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL Libya-U.S. Secret; Exdis. Drafted by Director of North African Affairs James J. Blake on May 10. Rogers approved the recommendations May 11. The recommendations were sent from Eliot to Kissinger under a May 17 covering memorandum.

18. Memorandum From the Executive Secretary of the 40 Committee (Ratliff) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)

Summary: Ratliff asked Kissinger to approve a request from the Central Intelligence Agency to enlist President Mobutu’s support to curb Libyan influence in Africa.

Source: National Security Council, Nixon Administration Intelligence Files, Subject Files, Libya, Box 9, February 10, 1970–June 26, 1973. Secret; Eyes Only; Outside the System. Sent for action. Concurred in by Saunders and Kennedy (NSC Staff), Director of Central African Affairs Herman J. Cohen, Alfred E. Wellons in INR/OPS, and CIA. Scowcroft approved the recommendation May 22. A handwritten notation on the document reads: “not to be noted in minutes per RRR.” The attachment is Secret.

19. National Security Study Memorandum 185

Summary: Kissinger tasked the Departments of State and Defense and the Central Intelligence Agency to prepare a study of U.S. policy toward Libya in response to Libyan involvement in international terrorism, the Arab-Israeli dispute, subversion, international airspace, and the petroleum industry.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–200, NSSM 185. Secret. A copy was sent to the Chairman of the JCS.

20. Information Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (Newsom) to Acting Secretary of State Rush

Summary: Newsom informed Rush about problems encountered by the Embassy and business community as a result of Libyan demands to print pertinent information in U.S. passports in both English and Arabic. Newsom advised against acceding to these demands and suggested the proposed merger with Egypt in September might resolve the issue.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 23–10 Libya. Confidential. Drafted by Warren Clark, Jr., in AF/N; and concurred in by Blake and Deputy Administrator of the Bureau of Security and Consular Affairs Elizabeth J. Harper. In telegram 976 from Tripoli, July 26, the Embassy provided an assessment of the problems associated with the anticipated September 1 unification of the Governments of Egypt and Libya. (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 739, Country Files, Africa, Libya II)

21. Study Prepared by the Ad Hoc Interdepartmental Group for Africa

Summary: This study was prepared in response to NSSM 185, which ordered a review of U.S. policy toward Libya.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–200, NSSM 185. Secret. Appendices A through G are attached but not published. All brackets were printed as footnotes in the original.

22. Minutes of a Senior Review Group Meeting

Summary: The Senior Review Group discussed U.S. policy towards Libya.

Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box TS 71, National Security Council, Committees and Panels, Senior Review Group, August 1973–October 1975. Top Secret. The meeting took place in the Situation Room at the White House. Colby’s briefing is attached but is not published. In telegram 1044 from Tripoli, August 13, Josif argued against the approval of new military equipment to Libya without the United States receiving something other than money in return. (Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, CL 306, NSC Committees and Panels, Senior Review Group, August 1973–April 1975)

23. Telegram 168661 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Libya

Summary: The Embassy was instructed to deliver a note to the Libyan Foreign Ministry concerning the nationalization of U.S. oil companies.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Confidential; Niact Immediate. Drafted by George M. Bennsky in EB/ORF/FSE, and Counselor on International Law Stephen M. Schwebel; cleared by Deputy Legal Adviser Mark B. Feldman, Ross, Saunders, Executive Director Council on International Economic Policy Peter Flanigan, Barnes, and Armstrong; and approved by Porter. In telegram 1091 from Tripoli, August 26, the Embassy informed the Department that the note was delivered to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs duty officer on August 24. (Ibid.)

24. Telegram 1117 From the Embassy in Libya to the Department of State

Summary: The Embassy informed the Department of the Libyan Government’s decision to print passports in both English and Arabic.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Confidential; Priority. Repeated to Cairo.

25. Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (Newsom) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)

Summary: Newsom, the Chairman of the NSC Interdepartmental Group, forwarded a follow-on options paper to NSSM 185 requested by the Senior Review Group on August 14.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–200, NSSM 185. Secret.

26. Telegram 187972 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Libya

Summary: The Embassy was informed of the decision to place a bilingual rubber stamp in passports for U.S. Government officials traveling to Libya on official business.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Confidential; Limdis. Drafted by George M. Lane in AF/N; cleared by Blake, Bradford (info), Newsom, Watson, and Pickering; and approved by Porter.

27. Telegram 1231 From the Embassy in Libya to the Department of State

Summary: The Embassy questioned the continuation of the U.S. Mission in Libya in light of the increasing hostility of the host government.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 739, Country Files, Africa, Libya, Volume II. Confidential; Exdis.

28. Telegram 1257 From the Embassy in Libya to the Department of State

Summary: The Embassy responded to a request from the Department for information on the future of the Embassy in Tripoli.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 739, Country Files, Africa, Libya, Volume II. Secret; Priority; Exdis. The Department asked for the Embassy’s opinion on the future of the diplomatic mission in Libya in telegram 194228 to Tripoli, September 28. (Ibid.)

29. Briefing Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (Newsom) to Secretary of State Kissinger

Summary: Newsom provided Kissinger with possible options for dealing with the Government of Libya.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL Libya-U.S. Secret; Exdis. Drafted by Blake and Lane.

30. Telegram 133328 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Egypt

Summary: The Embassy in Cairo was instructed to ask Sadat and Foreign Minister Fahmy for their views concerning the pending sale of an air defense system to Libya.

Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL 177, Geopolitical File, Libya 1973–76. Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Drafted by Sisco on June 19; cleared by Gammon and Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs Sidney Sober; and approved by Kissinger. In telegram 4502 from Cairo, June 22, the Embassy reported that Sadat had no objections to the sale, but requested notification when the transaction was finalized and details about the items sold. (Ibid.)

31. Telegram 811 From the Embassy in Libya to the Department of State

Summary: The Embassy transmitted a note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs seeking the release of C–130 cargo planes purchased from Lockheed and impounded by U.S. authorities.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 739, Country Files, Africa, Libya, Volume II. Confidential; Exdis.

32. Intelligence Memorandum, OCI No. 1487/74

Summary: The memorandum contained an examination of deteriorating relations between Qadhafi and Sadat, its potential impact on the Middle East, and the potential for Soviet exploitation of the situation.

Source: Central Intelligence Agency, DI/OCI Files, Job 79B01737A, OPI 16, Box 21. Secret; Sensitive. Prepared in the Directorate of Intelligence, CIA.

33. Memorandum From the Deputy Director for Operations, Central Intelligence Agency (Nelson) to the Executive Secretary of the 40 Committee (Ratliff)

Summary: The Central Intelligence Agency notified the 40 Committee that [text not declassified] Covert Action in Libya, was rescinded.

Source: National Security Council, Nixon Administration Intelligence Files, Subject Files, Libya, Box 12, September 11, 1974–July 16, 1976. Secret; Eyes Only.

34. Telegram 221657 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Libya

Summary: The Department reported on a meeting between Sisco and Libyan Treasury Minister Rajab. Kissinger requested the Embassy’s views on Rajab’s standing with Libya’s Revolutionary Command Counsel, and suggestions on improving U.S.-Libyan relations.

Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL 177, Geopolitical Files, Libya 1973–76. Secret; Priority; Nodis. Drafted by David L. Mack in NEA/AFN; cleared by Atherton, Moffat, and Wiley; and approved by Sisco.

35. Telegram 1115 From the Embassy in Libya to the Department of State

Summary: Stein gave his assessment of Libyan Government attempts to improve diplomatic relations with the United States and suggested ways to facilitate that process.

Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL 177, Geopolitical Files, Libya 1973–76. Secret; Nodis.

36. Telegram 38 From the Embassy in Libya to the Department of State

Summary: The Embassy informed the Department of a note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, protesting an alleged violation of Libyan airspace by U.S. aircraft.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, D 750010–1075. Secret; Niact Immediate; Exdis.

37. Telegram 8469 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Libya

Summary: The Embassy was instructed to deliver a note from Kissinger to the Foreign Ministry responding to Libya’s protest over a U.S. violation of civilian airspace. Kissinger asserted that the aircraft was on a routine mission, remained in international waters at all times, and neither pursued nor endangered Libyan civilian aircraft.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for Africa, Box 3, Libya, State Department Telegrams. Secret; Niact Immediate; Exdis. Drafted by Donald L. Jameson in NEA/AFN; cleared by Arnold L. Raphel in P, Colonel Mahlberg in OSD/ISA, Gammon in S/S, and Colonel Frederic J. Flemings in PM/ISO; and approved by Atherton. In telegram 60 from Tripoli, January 15, the Embassy informed the Department that the note was delivered to the Foreign Ministry that morning. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files)