Office of the Historian

98. Memorandum From William Odom of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski) and the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Aaron)1

Washington, March 3, 1979

SUBJECT

  • Plane Sales to Libya

Commerce opened the issue of selling Boeing 727s to Libya in May 1978. In August 1978 Vance agreed that serious consideration go forward. The NEA Bureau sent Stanley Marcuss, Commerce, a memorandum on November 2 which approved the sale because Libya had provided assurances that the 727s would only be used for civil aviation.2 In the event of a violation of this restriction, Libya was warned, all spare parts for 727s would be cut off. Although I cannot get to complete State files this morning, all the information available indicates that Vance approved this final action. (C)

The considerations behind the approval were twofold. On the one hand, Boeing and Commerce made a strong case that the effect on our foreign trade deficit would be significant, not small change. On the other hand, State came to the view that we might turn Libya around on its terrorism policy. Recently, after Libya agreed to support certain international anti-hijacking agreements, Ambassador Quainton visited Tripoli for discussions with the Libyan Foreign Minister.3 The discussions were not as productive as expected, but Libya did not draw back in its softer rhetoric. (S)

During all this diplomatic effort, of course, Libya has been quite busy in training terrorists and acting as a supply and transit depot for covert activities throughout the region. (S)

If you desire a fuller rundown, I will follow up on Monday. At present I suggest that we leave the ball in State’s court.4 (C)

  1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Country File, Box 48, Libya: 1/77–1/81. Secret. Sent for information. Aaron initialed the memorandum in the upper right-hand corner.↩
  2. Not found. See footnote 4, Document 96.↩
  3. In telegram 33222 to Tunis, February 8, the Department reported on the January 31 meeting between Quainton and Turayki to discuss terrorism. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy, D790062–0021)↩
  4. An unknown hand wrote “OBE” and “3/14/79” beneath this sentence. Aaron wrote: “Bill—get on top of reports that the Libyans are using 727s to ferry troops to Uganda. DA.”↩