Office of the Historian

130. Memorandum From Robert Hunter of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski)1

Washington, May 8, 1980

SUBJECT

  • Libyan Mission (U)

Newsom would like to take the following steps this afternoon (and is now consulting with Justice):

—to call in the head of the Libyan mission and make these points:

—in addition to the need for the 4 PNG’d officers to leave;

—the Mission must complete the process of regularizing its status as a diplomatic mission under the Vienna Convention;

—it must complete the relevant forms, and submit them to Protocol;

—any official relations must be conducted in accordance with U.S. law and international practice and convention;

—failing this, the mission must be closed, effective within 24 hours of delivery of the note; and

—for all persons whose status has not been regularized, visas will be revoked, and they will be expected to leave the country;

—in implementing the above, State would (probably) prevent the entry to the mission by anyone, and escort anyone leaving to the airport. (S)

State wanted this brought to your attention, in particular because of two possible retaliatory actions by Libya:

—harassment (or worse) of the U.S. community in Libya (which State judges to be a moderate risk, since Libya needs these people); and

—a possible reduction or cut-off of oil supplies to the U.S., which are 9% of our imports. (S)

At the same time, at the noon briefing, State will say:

—we continue to require the 4 officers to leave; and

—we will be in further touch with the Libyan mission in the near future with regard to the overall status of the mission, to make our views known. (C)

[Page 307]

RECOMMENDATION:

That you approve this course of action (subject to Justice’s concurrence):2

  1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Country File, Box 48, Libya: 1/77–1/81. Secret. Sent for urgent action. A stamped notation on the memorandum, dated 5/8/80, reads: “ZB has seen.”↩
  2. Dodson checked the Approve option and wrote: “per Robert Hunter who discussed this with ZB.”↩