First meeting of its kind since 35 years; Powell asks Shalqam of explanation over assassination attempt of crown prince Abdullah
Libya-USA, Politics, 9/25/2004

In the first meeting between the two countries at this level since 35 years, the Libyan foreign minister Muhammad Abdul Rahman Shalqam in New York on Thursday met with his American counterpart Colin Powell who asked for "more efforts in the terrorism file." He, in particular indicated the need of giving convincing explanations on the allegations that Tripoli did not conspire to assassinate the Saudi crown prince Abdullah.

The two ministers shook hands before the cameras of photographers in the beginning of the meeting in the hotel where Powell is residing to take part in the meetings of the UN General Assembly. The two ministers did not make statements on the content of their meeting. This meeting. however, constitute a landmark on the improving relations between the two countries since Libya in 2003 decided to give up nuclear, biological and chemical weapons and to shoulder responsibility over blowing up the Lockerbie plane in 1988.

One official at the US Department Of State said that Libya's decision to give up mass destruction weapons and the recognition made by the Libyan leadership that this weapons is a source of instability, are all positive indicators. Powell told his Libyan peer "we want to achieve progress on this ground." He added "we welcome Libya's open renunciation of terrorism and its collaboration in sharing information on international terrorism."

He stressed that Libya has to give convincing explanations addressed by a Muslim American detained in the US at the beginning of the year stating that the Libyan regime is involved in an assassination attempt on the Saudi crown prince Abdullah.

Commenting on the alleged Libyan plot to assassinate Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, Powell said at a September 24 press conference that he conveyed to Shalghem that the issue "required continued inquiry and investigation and that it would be a problem in our relationship . . . as we go forward until the matter is cleared up."

"He [Foreign Minister Shalghem] did not have any information for me that advanced my knowledge of the subject or removed the problem," said Powell.

In the State Department's annual report on terrorism "we documented what has been a clear, positive trend in Libyan behavior on these issues in recent years. But before the president, the Bush administration goes to Congress on the terrorism list, we want to make sure we work through all those issues," said the U.S. official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

There also have to be assurances that no residual links to terrorist groups remain before the United States can be reasonably assured about Libyan behavior in the future, the official said.

Previous Stories:
  A historical meeting between the Libyan foreign minister and his American peer   (9/24/2004)
  American energy secretary considers visiting Tripoli   (9/22/2004)
  Libya welcomes lifting the American sanctions imposed on it   (9/21/2004)

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