68. Memorandum From Samuel Hoskinson of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)1 2

SUBJECT:

  • Plot against Libyan Government

State has sent over for your attention a file of cables (Tab A) which raise the possibility of some form of armed intervention in Libya by a combined group of Libyan exiles and mercenaries. The consensus of State and CIA is that this activity, if it takes place, is designed essentially to free certain figures prominent under the old regime from prison. The plotters are billing it as a coup attempt but from their description it is most likely a foray to release political prisoners or a crude provocation.

The conspirators have sought our help but we have made it clear that we have no desire to become involved in this operation. Their plot, according to our embassy in Tripoli, seems doomed to political self-defeat and even if successful would only result in the release of detention of a group of undesirables anyway. More importantly if we were suspected of involvement by the Government we could expect a “violent reaction” and strong reaction against our interests in Libya. The embassy concludes that “the operation only makes sense for the instigator and possibly one of his jailed friends, certainly not for the U.S. or West generally.”

All contacts with the plotters have been broken off and precautions are being taken to insure that no U.S. military activity could inadvertently be connected with the operation should it take place. CIA, however, is attempting to run down further information through its channels [text not declassified]

  1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 739, Country Files, Africa, Libya, Vol. II. Top Secret. Sent for information. The attached list of cables is not printed.
  2. Hoskinson alerted Kissinger to a plot by Libyan exiles to release Idriss loyalists from prison.