235. Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern, South Asian, and African Affairs (Rountree) to the Acting Secretary of State1
SUBJECT
- Richards Mission—Libya, May 42
Discussion
It will be recalled that the Richards Mission first visited Libya March 17–20 as a result of which commitments in the amount of $4.52 million were made. However, the Libyan Government was disappointed with this magnitude and Ambassador Richards agreed to later reconsideration. As a result, the initial joint communiqué was vague as to the exact commitments made. Arrangements were completed and project agreements were signed on the initial commitments.
[Page 531]On May 4 the Mission again visited Libya during the course of which Ambassador Richards made additional commitments in the amount of $2.5 million for economic activities. He had previously indicated to the Department that he felt very strongly the necessity for providing an additional increment in the magnitude of $2.5 million.
The Mission’s return visit was extremely well received. He met with Prime Minister Ben Halim and members of the Cabinet. The Government of Libya seemed particularly impressed at the implementation of Ambassador Richards’ previous promise to review availabilities, and the Ambassador states that he believes this concrete demonstration of United States support for a Government which is courageously standing up in support of the West at a difficult time will not be lost on other Arab states. As far as Libya is concerned, it represents tangible proof of the value of cooperating with the United States.
Commitments
The result of the second visit was to increase the total commitment to $7.02 million all on a grant basis except for the amount allocated to the Tripoli power plant. The aide-mémoire did not distinguish between the first and second visit. The total commitments therefore are:
| 1. General survey of Libyan development needs | $.3 million |
| 2. Development of broadcasting facilities | 2.5 million2 |
| 3. Assistance in educational system | 1.5 million2 |
| 4. Survey of Libyan police force and provision of equipment ($20,000 committed in first visit) | .37 million |
| 5. Low cost radio receivers | .15 million |
| 6. Domestic water supply | .2 million2 |
| 7. Telecommunications | 1.0 million |
| 8. Additional financing Tripoli power plant | 1.0 million |
| 9. A study of military requirements by a MAAG after a military assistance agreement is signed3 |
Communiqué
A joint communiqué was issued on May 4 stating that in the first visit of the Mission it was announced that Libya and the United States would work together for the successful application of the proposals in recognition of the dangers of international communism and that as a result of the second visit studies have been completed of assistance which would contribute to Libya’s needs. The communiqué further [Page 532] stated that the United States Government will undertake necessary steps to provide assistance in the fields of development, broadcasting, education, electric power development, telecommunications, and domestic water supply.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 120.1580/5–1057. Secret. Drafted by Lathram.↩
- For text of the joint communiqué issued at Tripoli on May 4, see Department of State Bulletin, May 27, 1957, p. 845.↩
- For text of the joint communiqué issued at Tripoli on May 4, see Department of State Bulletin, May 27, 1957, p. 845.↩
- For text of the joint communiqué issued at Tripoli on May 4, see Department of State Bulletin, May 27, 1957, p. 845.↩
- For text of the joint communiqué issued at Tripoli on May 4, see Department of State Bulletin, May 27, 1957, p. 845.↩
- Represents commitments made in first visit. [Footnote in the source text.]↩