Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XXIV, Africa

57. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy Office in Baida, Libya¹

Washington, May 21, 1964, 7:55 p.m.

79. Baida’s 141.² During private conversation with King on May 23 you should convey to His Majesty following points:

1. We are studying results of opening session US-Libyan talks.

2. Insistence by Libyan side at that time on abrogation as basis for discussions naturally creates great difficulties for us because of the great importance of our Wheelus Base facilities to us and prevents useful discussion of other mutually advantageous possibilities.

3. We are sure that this matter can be worked out by means which will be satisfactory to both Libyans and ourselves although inevitably matters of this kind require time. We are certain that a full examination of the possibilities of cooperation at the base will reveal areas of activity which can be developed to the mutual advantage of both nations.

4. We have been approached by Libyan military concerning military assistance and possible purchases and are responding sympathetically in this field.

FYI. We are not suggesting by foregoing initiation of substantive discussion or negotiation with King on base issue but propose language as talking points through which you and Col. Dregne may be able evoke some indication King’s current thinking this problem. End FYI.

We believe would also be useful to underline to King frequent Khrushchev references bases during Egyptian visit as indicative of common UAR and Soviet interest this matter and Khrushchev remarks concerning Arab unity which cannot but run counter general Arab sentiment.³

Rusk

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 15–1 LIBYA. Secret; Immediate. Drafted by McClanahan; cleared by Bronez, Hancock of USAF, Sol Polansky of SOV, and Tasca; and approved by Harriman. Repeated to London, Tripoli, Benghazi, USCINCEUR, and CINCUSAFE.
2. Dated May 21. (Ibid., DEF 15 LIBYA–US)
3. After having lunch with the King and Queen on May 23, Lightner reported that he was barely able to get in the main points in the Department’s telegram and that the King obviously did not wish to discuss the negotiations. The main subject had been the many services provided by Wheelus to Libya, and the King had remarked that the public and government officials ought to know more about this. He also hinted strongly that the United States might be dealing with another more tractable government before long. (Telegram 570 from Tripoli, May 25; ibid.)