109. Telegram From the Department of State to the British Embassy in Washington1
310814. Subject: Message for American Charge William L. Eagleton. Please pass British Embassy Tripoli.
1. This is message no. 1.
2. Please convey following personal message to Foreign Secretary Turayki from the Secretary:
Begin message: I am deeply shocked at the attack on the U.S. Embassy in Tripoli.2 All information we have suggests that protection at our diplomatic premises was clearly inadequate and that the authorities did not respond during the attack. I expect your government to undertake immediately exceptional measures to protect the official American community in Tripoli and also the unofficial American community in Libya. The situation calls for the designation of special units explicitly assigned to this task, with which the Embassy and other resident Americans can communicate directly as assistance is required and in order to assure an immediate response.
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, Middle East, Subject File, Box 61, Libya: Carter (Billy): 10–12/79. Confidential; Immediate. Printed from a copy that was received in the White House Situation Room. Drafted by Coon; approved by Saunders. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790555–0907)↩
- See Document 108.↩