VZCZCXRO1153
OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHKUK RUEHROV
DE RUEHTRO #0868/01 3001218
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 271218Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5416
INFO RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI 5965
RUEFHLC/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME PRIORITY 0635
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1177
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0848
RUEHSW/AMEMBASSY BERN 0045
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0241

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TRIPOLI 000868 
 
NOFORN 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR NEA/MAG 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV LY UN
SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER REQUESTS INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGED U.S. 
MISTREATMENT OF SENIOR LIBYAN OFFICIAL 
 
TRIPOLI 00000868  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1. (S/NF) Summary:  Foreign Minister Musa Kusa summoned the 
Ambassador to his office October 26 to convey very strong Libyan 
anger and disappointment in the treatment of Libyan UN Permanent 
Representative Abdulrahman Shalgam and his wife by John F. 
Kennedy Airport security officials upon their recent departure 
from New York.  Kusa emphasized that the Libyan Government 
considered the situation very serious and that Libyan Leader 
Muammar al-Qadhafi was personally angered.  Kusa demanded that 
the USG investigate the incident and respond with a report as 
soon as practical so that the Libyan side could determine what 
"measures" it would take in response.  Kusa assured the 
Ambassador that the GOL would not treat AmCit travelers or 
diplomats in a reciprocal manner at Libyan airports.  Libya is 
considering lodging a formal complaint at the United Nations, 
during which Shalgam may provide an account of his experience. 
The Department's guidance and assistance in investigating the 
situation is requested.  End Summary. 
 
¶2. (S/NF) A visibly angry Musa Kusa summoned the Ambassador 
(accompanied by P/E Chief) on October 26 to express very strong 
Libyan anger, including that of the Libyan Leader, regarding the 
reported treatment UN Permanent Representative Abdulrahman 
Shalgam had received recently during security processing at John 
¶F. Kennedy Airport in New York.  Kusa said Shalgam and his wife 
were put in a room and subjected to "strip searches and rude 
behavior as if they were criminals."  The trauma had affected 
Shalgam's wife so deeply that, according to Kusa, she is 
currently under hospital care. 
 
¶3. (S/NF) Kusa called the incident unjustified and immoral: 
"Morally speaking, Shalgam is a guest in your country.  If he 
had done something wrong or was a security threat, then that 
would have been a different story.  How would you like it if 
your diplomats were treated by us in such a manner?"  He argued 
that if a high level diplomat such as Shalgam -- a former 
foreign minister -- could experience such treatment by U.S. 
officials, then other Libyan diplomats or average Libyan 
travelers were probably facing even worse treatment.  Kusa 
stated that the GOL was considering withdrawing Shalgam from his 
post as a result of the incident. 
 
¶4. (S/NF) The Ambassador informed Kusa that the Embassy first 
heard of the incident via MFA diplomatic note four days prior to 
the meeting and was working with the Departments of State and 
Homeland Security to investigate the situation.  Kusa believed 
the State Department should have "known" about the incident 
immediately.  He asserted that news of the incident had spread 
throughout the leadership and had resurrected intensive 
questioning as to how Libya could justify this new relationship 
with the United States, saying "if you do not desire to continue 
the relationship, then tell us.  There is no need to treat 
Libyan nationals in such a manner." 
 
¶5. (S/NF) The Ambassador told Kusa that Libya should not 
interpret the reported actions of a few individuals as 
reflective of an official, anti-Libya position within the USG. 
He added that both sides understand that, from time to time, 
problems will occur in the relationship, and that we should find 
a way to work through them.  Kusa said the Libyan Government -- 
including Muammar al-Qadhafi himself -- wanted a full report 
from the U.S. explaining why a senior Libyan official had been 
subject to the alleged mistreatment.  He was baffled by the 
circumstances that could have prompted such action.  The 
Ambassador reiterated his assurances that the USG would review 
the circumstances surrounding the incident. 
 
¶6. (S/NF) Kusa stated that Libya would not retaliate against 
U.S. travelers in response to the incident.  He insisted on a 
speedy reply to the GOL's request for a full investigation.  "We 
will consider the case open until we reach an acceptable 
conclusion.  In light of what happens, we will carry out 
appropriate measures," he warned.  Kusa threatened that Libya 
might be forced to take the issue to the UN General Assembly and 
that Shalgam may personally relate the events in that forum. 
 
¶7. (S/NF) Comment:  The incident involving Abdulrahman Shalgam, 
compounded by Libyan reports of previous incidents involving its 
diplomats and officials, has elicited attention and anger at the 
highest levels of the Libyan regime.  Embassy requests 
expeditious Department assistance in investigating the 
 
TRIPOLI 00000868  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
circumstances surrounding the incident.  As recent Swiss and 
Canadian encounters have shown, Libya takes these issues 
seriously and we need to provide a reply and find a solution 
quickly if the matter is not to escalate.  End comment. 
CRETZ