Foreign Relations of the United States, 1981–1988, Volume XXIV, North Africa

95. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Tunisia¹

401233.

Washington, December 13, 1988, 0025Z

SUBJECT

• Qadhafi Speech to Tunisian Chamber of Deputies: Demarche Instructions.

Ref:

• Tunis 12622.²

1. Confidential—Entire text.

2. Using talking points in para 3 below, Embassy is requested to lodge a protest with GOT over Qadhafi’s December 9 anti-U.S. speech in Tunisian Chamber of Deputies (reftel). Department will make parallel demarche Dec. 13 to the Tunisian Ambassador.³

3. Begin talking points:

— The United States Government has noted the anti-U.S. speech Qadhafi made to the Tunisian Chamber of Deputies December 9, as well as the fact that it was broadcast live to the Tunisian people.

— When Qadhafi made a similar attack on the U.S. at Sakiet Sidi Youssef last year, we were inclined to view it as an isolated incident which had arisen in circumstances over which GOT had little or no control.

— Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of this occasion. Moreover, the fact that Qadhafi has been publicly able to attack the U.S. twice on Tunisia soil suggests an unfavorable pattern which does not serve to strengthen our bilateral relations.

— His speech violated the third country rule; we trust the GOT has lodged a vigorous protest with the Libyan Government.

— Qadhafi’s abuse of Tunisia’s hospitality in such a fashion reaffirms our view that he has not reformed. His insistence on making such a presentation directly to the Tunisian people confirms our view that he has not in the least abandoned his intention of influencing and intervening in Tunisia’s internal affairs.⁴

Shultz

1. Source: Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D881086–0609. Confidential; Immediate. Drafted by John Kunstadter (NEA/AFN); cleared by Casey (NEA/AFN) and Wiener; approved by Burleigh. Sent for information to Algiers, Ankara, Cairo, Paris, Rabat, Rome, and Brussels.
2. In telegram 12622 from Tunis, December 9, the Embassy reported: “GOT’s worst fears came to pass when Qadhafi delivered a virulent anti-Western diatribe before the Chamber of Deputies December 9. Qadhafi blamed America, ‘the master of lies,’ for blocking Algerian/Libyan unity and seeking to destroy the Arabs.” The Embassy continued: “The Deputies were often ill at ease with the Colonel’s rhetoric, and GOT censored TV and radio coverage. Recommend USG lodge official protest.” (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D881079–0084)
3. In telegram 402431 to Tunis, December 14, the Department indicated that Burleigh had delivered a démarche to Hamzaoui during which Burleigh noted that “we had carefully studied Qadhafi’s remarks, which had drawn considerable attention in Washington. The speech would have been unremarkable had Qadhafi not abused Tunisian hospitality by attacking the U.S. and U.S. relations with the Maghreb.” (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D881090–0110)
4. In telegram 12935 from Tunis, December 20, the Embassy reported that Pelletreau “vigorously protested Qadhafi’s anti-American speech” in Tunisia’s Chamber of Deputies. Ben Yahia “responded defensively that Tunisian society is now immune to Qadhafi’s rhetoric. Ambassador also advised Tunisians to inform themselves carefully on Libya’s CW capability. Ben Yahia pleaded for U.S. patience and hinted that Tunisia would be conveying specific proposals from Libya in the interest of detente with the new U.S. administration.” (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D881108–0586)