Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume XVII, Part 3, North Africa

107. Diplomatic Note From the United States to the Government of Libya¹

Washington, October 10, 1979

The United States Government acknowledges receipt of the Libyan Foreign Secretariat Note (Reference 9/41/79) of September 19² and wishes to inform the Government of the Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya that as from the date of that note the Libyan diplomatic office in Washington will be designated and regarded by the United States Government as the People’s Bureau of the Diplomatic Mission of the Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.

This action is taken in accordance with the Vienna Convention’s definition of a diplomatic mission and takes account of the Secretariat’s reference to the People’s Bureau being specifically “at the Diplomatic Mission of the Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.” Further, the Government of the United States notes that “The People’s Bureau of the Diplomatic Mission will exercise its responsibilities in the customary manner in the relations between the two countries” and wish to emphasize that the “customary manner” of such relations is codified in the Vienna Convention.³

The Government of the United States still awaits clarification of the status to be accorded the members of the People’s Committee of that People’s Bureau of the Diplomatic Mission. In order to deal formally with members of the People’s Committee it is necessary that they be accorded official status and the United States Government would welcome a request from the Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamarihiya for diplomatic status for those Committee members. It would also be necessary that one member of the People’s Bureau of the Diplomatic Mission be formally designated the official spokesman for the People’s Bureau of the Diplomatic Mission and be recognized as its Chairman, Coordinator, or other appropriate title. In this regard diplomatic titles per se present no particular problem and title and position of such an individual within the People’s Bureau of the Diplomatic Mission itself is purely a matter to be left to the discretion of the Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.

In addition, while in no way affecting the name or designation of the People’s Bureau of the Diplomatic Mission, for protocol purposes it would be helpful to know at what level the People’s Bureau of the Diplomatic Mission should be regarded, i.e., at the level of an Embassy, Legation, etc. Upon the clarification of these points the United States Government will be in a better position to determine the wishes of the Government of the Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya in this regard and how best to respond to those wishes.

1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Brzezinski Office File, Country Chron File, Box 29, Libya. No classification marking.
2. In telegram 1484 from Tripoli, September 19, the Embassy transmitted a translation of the “substantive part” of the note: “The Secretariat has the pleasure to inform the Embassy that a People’s Bureau (or office) has been formed at the diplomatic mission of the Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya in the United States. This action has been taken in accordance with the application of People’s Democracy in the SPLAJ and the implementation of decisions of the People’s Congresses.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790428–0745)
3. The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, signed on April 18, 1961, and entered into force on April 24, 1964, provides a framework for the establishment, maintenance, and termination of diplomatic relations between sovereign states. (23 UST 3227; 500 UNTS 95)