Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–5, Part 2, Documents on North Africa, 1969–1972

54. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon¹ ²

Washington, March 20, 1970

SUBJECT:

• Options for Possible [text not declassified] Action in Libya

[text not declassified] I requested [text not declassified] consideration of the [text not declassified] actions which might be undertaken in support of U.S. policies and interests in Libya.

[text not declassified] presented several options for consideration noting that an essential prerequisite to undertaking any of them is a reliable [text not declassified]picture of the policies and intentions of the Libyan government. [text not declassified]

[text not declassified]

[text not declassified] unanimously favored [text not declassified] option labeled 1-A which is: Intensify efforts to influence the Libyan government to adopt policies consistent with U.S. objectives. Oppose Libyan leaders and policies inimical to U.S. interests.

The U.S. objectives to be furthered by these efforts would be as follows:

1. To maintain normal diplomatic and commercial relations with Libya. (Including U.S. oil interests.)

2. To influence Libya to maintain its independence, to develop its own resources primarily as a member of the Mediterranean region with strong ties to Western Europe and a balanced rapport with both the Maghreb and Libya’s eastern Arab neighbors, including Egypt.

3. To deny the development of an intolerable level of Soviet or other communist presence and influence in Libya—including that exerted indirectly through radical Arab states.

4. To use the U.S. position in Libya to support the development of regional stability in the Mediterranean and the Middle East.

[1 page not declassified]

RECOMMENDATION:

That you approve the [text not declassified] option to intensify efforts to influence the Libyan government to adopt policies consistent with the U.S. objectives listed above and oppose Libyan leaders and policies inimical to U.S. interests as outlined in the plan of action at Tab A.

1. Source: National Security Council Files, Nixon Intelligence Files, Libya. Secret; Eyes Only. Sent for action. Tab A is not printed. Nixon approved the recommendation on March 23.
2. Kissinger presented the President with the proposal for action to influence the Libyan Government to adopt policies consistent with U.S. objectives and minimize those policies inimical to them.