Office of the Historian

127. Memorandum From Secretary of State Vance to President Carter1

Washington, April 3, 1980

[Omitted here is material unrelated to Libya.]

4. Expulsion of Two Libyan Diplomats: In light of intelligence suggesting intimidation and possible violence against Libyan students in the US as early as April 7,2 we have decided to notify the Libyans on Friday3 of the expulsion within forty-eight hours of two members of the Peoples’ Bureau whom we believe to be directly involved. We are also examining on an urgent basis the status of a number of other Libyans working at the Peoples’ Bureau who have not properly registered as diplomats. As a precautionary measure, we are temporarily withdrawing our two officers in Tripoli over this weekend while these actions are in progress.

[Omitted here is material unrelated to Libya.]

  1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Subject File, Box 23, Evening Reports (State): 4/80. Secret.↩
  2. Not further identified.↩
  3. April 4.↩