U.S. Department of State

DEPARTMENT OF STATE
WASHINGTON, DC 20520

September 4, 1969

TO: The Acting Secretary
THROUGH: S/S
FROM: AF - David D. Newsom [DN initialed]
SUBJECT: U. S. Policy in the Wake of the Libyan Coup

ACTION MEMORANDUM

I attach a working paper on our options in Libya (Tab B) and a brief discussion of possible future problems in the country (Tab C). The paper was prepared for the meeting of the African Inter-Departmental Group on September 2. While it has not been formally cleared with the members present, the paper met with general initial approval and has benefited from subsequent detailed suggestions from participating agencies, including ISA, JCS and CIA.

Events are now moving rapidly in Libya. Former centers of royalist influence in eastern Cyrenaica have fallen to the new regime, and there is little likelihood of any further resistance.

Accordingly, with regard to the options that appear open to us, I have two recommendations on which we would welcome your decision:

1. That we decide to maintain diplomatic relations with the new Libyan regime as soon as it becomes clear to us that it is, in fact, in unchallenged control of the country. The scenario I propose would consist of three steps:

a. We issue a statement (Tab A) responding affirmatively to the statement of the Revolutionary Command Council (RCC) that all nations maintaining diplomatic relations with Libya be considered to have recognized the new government;

b. we instruct our Charge in Tripoli, or alternatively our officer-in-charge in Benghazi, to present himself officially to the RCC, bearing a copy of our statement;

c. when we perceive the moment opportune we ask for confirmation of the agreement for our Ambassador.

Approve [Richardson approved] SEP 5 1969

Disapprove

2. That we coordinate the timing of the issuance of our statement with the British. They appear to be moving very rapidly towards recognition and could well announce it within the next few days.

Approve [Richardson approved] SEP 5 1969

Disapprove