143. Telegram From the Department of State to Multiple Diplomatic Posts1
326043. Subject: Libyan Protest Over U.S. Military Maneuvers in Egypt.
1. On November 26 Department received the following note from the Libyan People’s Bureau:
Begin text: Quote: The People’s Bureau of the Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya presents its compliments to the Department of State and wishes to submit the following cable addressed to the American Government, outlining the Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya’s position vis-a-vis the military maneuvers being conducted in Egypt by United States’ forces. The text of the cable:
1. The Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya strongly protests the military maneuvers being conducted by the U.S. forces on the Egyptian soil, as well as the presence of these forces therein, for the fact that, such military maneuvers and presence are taking place along the eastern borders of the Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, and as such have a dangerous impact, and direct results on the safety and security of the Libyan Arab people, and the territorial waters thereof.
2. The Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya views the violations of Libya’s air space and territorial waters by U.S. military airplanes taking part in the said maneuvers as provocations which we vehemently reject, and which will be met by force if necessary. We interpret this behavior of the American Government to be an escalation of the hostile actions which the U.S. Government is conducting against the Libyan Arab people.
3. The Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya further views these military maneuvers, and the resultant violations of our air space and territorial waters as a serious threat not only to the safety and security of the Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya alone, but to the safety, and the security of the areas as a whole.
4. The Office of Foreign Liaison draws the attention of the U.S. Government to the dangerous and negative consequences resulting from the escalation of these provocative, and hostile actions, and [Page 344] charges the U.S. Government with all the responsibilities resulting from such actions.
5. In light of the above, the Office of Foreign Liaison demands that the U.S. Government immediately work to stop these provocations, and reiterates its position that the U.S. Government will be held solely responsible for the deterioration of the area’s security, as a result of these provocations. Unquote. End text.
2. In response on December 2 DAS Draper called Libyan People’s Bureau Head Ali el-Houderi to the Department and handed back the note as unacceptable. In doing so he made the following points:
—We have investigated the allegations made in that note and find they are false. The note is irrelevant and tendentious and is therefore returned.
—We wish, however, to emphasize just how thoroughly these charges were investigated—right down to the local unit commander level. No violation of Libyan territory or entry into areas claimed by Libya occurred during the deployment of the U.S. forces to Egypt, during maneuvers in Egypt, or during withdrawal from Egypt. The Rapid Deployment Force maneuver was strictly a training exercise and the force was in Egypt with the full concurrence of the Egyptian Govt.
—The tone of this note is also disturbing. When you returned from Tripoli you indicated a desire on the part of the Jamahiriya to work for improved relations. The tone of this note does not bear out this desire.
—In the interest of frankness and understanding we want to make clear our position on Libyan territory and on U.S. military maneuvers in the region.
—The United States—and for that matter most other governments—does not recognize Libya’s claim to a 32 degree 30 minute bay closing line for the Gulf of Sidra.
—United States Air and Naval units carry out periodic training exercises in the section of the Mediterranean north of the Libyan coast. From time to time these units cross the 32 degree 30 minute line. Libya must understand that the United States and the majority of the nations of the world regard this area as “high seas”.
—From time to time Libyan units have intercepted U.S. aircraft over the Mediterranean. Occasionally these aircraft were south of Libya’s unrecognized 32 degree 30 minute line. On most occasions, however, the aircraft were well out beyond such a line. In all cases the aircraft were operating in what is regarded as international airspace. During these intercepts, Libyan aircraft have from time to time given some indications of hostile intent. We in no way seek confrontation with Libya over this but we will of course protect our aircraft.
—The United States has fully participated in the Law of the Seas negotiations and subject to Senate confirmation (just as Libya’s agree [Page 345] ment would be subject to General People’s Congress confirmation) we are prepared to join with the rest of the world in setting agreed upon standards for the recognition of territorial waters. The Libyan UN Mission will confirm, however, that Libya’s claims to rights over the Gulf of Sidra as a historic bay and of the bay closing line at 32 degrees 30 minutes are not reflected in the draft convention.
—Finally, Libya should understand that these exercises and maneuvers in no way represent a hostile intent toward Libya nor are they meant to be provocative in any way. We understand, for example, Libya’s concern over the area near the Egyptian border. We have told you privately and have stated publicly that the United States Government urges both Egypt and Libya to exercise maximum restraint along that border. Our policy in this regard has not changed.
—Our naval exercises, our flights in this region, will continue. At no point will they violate territory which the rest of the world recognizes as forming a part of the Jamahiriya. From time to time such units will cross the 32 degree 30 minute line—but not with hostile intent.
3. In reply el-Houderi indicated that the violations of territory referred to in the note may not necessarily have occurred during the maneuvering in Egypt but that “some violations have occurred”. He defended the reference to the use of force as “a matter of principle” to which every country had a right in defense of its territory. He emphasized that the note, while reflecting the views of Libya’s leaders, was not meant to “search for trouble” and that Libya also wished to avoid incidents. As often before, he expressed the hope that the U.S. and Libya could get beyond such problems and establish more cordial relations.
4. On another subject Draper raised the status of the Libyan students asked by the Department to leave the United States. (FYI: In response to increased activity of Libyan revolutionary committees in the Libyan student community in the United States the Department has asked the People’s Bureau to arrange for the voluntary departure of 19 Libyan students from the United States. These students are among those most active in such committees. The People’s Bureau has told the Department that some of those students are already in the process of departing, but evidence available to us does not bear this out. End FYI). El-Houderi agreed to furnish the Department with a report on the current plans of each student.
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D800587–0654. Limited Official Use; Priority. Sent to Algiers, Cairo, London, Athens, Rabat, USUN, Niamey, Tunis, and Valletta. Drafted by Roy; cleared in NEA/AFN; approved by Draper.↩