Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XXXIV, Energy Diplomacy and Global Issues

239. Telegram From the Embassy in Libya to the Department of State¹

Tripoli, June 11, 1967, 1200Z.

21. Libyan Oil Sitrep—June 10 and 11.

1. Petroleum Minister Khaliifah Muusa departed morning June 11 for Baida, where he hopes to convince Prime Minister Hussain Maaziq to allow resumption of production and export to countries other than U.S. and U.K. According to Esso Libya President Hugh Wynne (protect source) Muusa was surprised on his return from Baghdad to learn GOL had banned totally all production and exports, thus going beyond scope of Baghdad resolution which banned exports only to countries aiding Israel.²

2. To best Embassy’s knowledge, there has been no destruction yet of oil installations, and expatriate staff at least are standing by. Operations apparently could be resumed within hours of GOL approval.

3. Morning June 10 bomb thrown into Tripoli warehouse of Geophysical Service International (GSI). There were no personal injuries, but valuable seismic records were destroyed.

4. Saturday (June 10) most oil company offices in Tripoli reopened for business. Libyan absenteeism higher than previous, but union has ordered Libyans return to work on Monday.

Newsom

1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Records of the Department of State, Central Files, 1967–69, PET 17–1 LIBYA. Confidential; Priority. Repeated to London, Paris for OECD, Dhahran, Jidda, and Kuwait City. Passed to the White House, DOD, CIA, USIA, NSA, COMAC, CINCSTRIKE, and USUN.
2. See Document 232.