Assistant Secretary of State William Burns met today in Tripoli with Libyan officials, continuing a dialogue regarding the future of U.S.-Libyan relations begun in London on February 6. The discussions were very constructive, reflecting the gradual, step-by-step normalization in our bilateral relationship that has been made possible by Libya's historic steps to eliminate its weapons of mass destruction and MTCR-class missiles, and to adhere to its renunciation of terrorism.
In meetings with Colonel Qadhafi and the Libyan leadership, Assistant Secretary Burns reiterated that President Bush welcomes Libyan actions to repudiate weapons of mass destruction as a source of insecurity, not security. The steps Libya has taken to voluntarily dismantle its weapons of mass destruction and missile programs are significant and irreversible. Libya has demonstrated that it is intent on opening a new chapter in relations with the United States and the rest of the world. Libya's chemical weapons declaration, signature of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Additional Protocol, and acknowledgment of its past program to the IAEA Board of Governors set a standard that the United States hopes other nations will take note of and emulate. He reiterated the United States' willingness to continue to assist Libya and relevant international institutions, as requested, in completing the remaining steps for Libya to implement its weapons of mass destruction and missile commitments.
Assistant Secretary Burns confirmed that the excellent progress that Libya has made in implementing its weapons of mass destruction and missile commitments allows us to look forward to continued improvements in our bilateral relations. The U.S. and Libyan delegations reviewed measures already taken by the United States, including steps to facilitate the travel of Americans to Libya, to allow American companies with pre-sanctions interests in Libya to negotiate reentry agreements, to agree to a Libyan Interests Section in Washington D.C., to welcome a Libyan educational delegation, and to send a medical assessment team to Tripoli. Assistant Secretary Burns underscored U.S. interest in exploring areas for humanitarian cooperation identified by the U.S. medical delegation during their February visit to Tripoli. Looking to the future, Assistant Secretary Burns also discussed potential measures to normalize trade and investment under discussion, and plans to establish a US Liaison Office, reflecting the growing depth and breadth of our bilateral engagement. Libyan officials highlighted their interest in further integrating with the world economy and the two sides agreed on the need to conduct further discussions on those important issues.
Assistant Secretary Burns noted the value of recent congressional visits to Libya, and explored other mechanisms for increasing the people-to-people contact between American and Libyan society. He noted that we look forward to visits by Libyan educational and medical delegations to the United States, and have begun to encourage U.S. non-governmental organizations to take the lead in promoting cultural and sports exchanges.
Assistant Secretary Burns emphasized the importance of Libya's decision to address the UN resolutions on Pan Am 103 and welcomed the Libyan government's assurances that it stands by these commitments. Both sides acknowledged that other issues, including potential cooperation in Africa, political and economic modernization, must be addressed for fully normal relations to be re-established. In this regard, he welcomed Libya's decision to invite Amnesty International to visit, as well as the recent release of Fathi El-Jahmi.
The two delegations agreed to continue these discussions regularly in the future, and to pursue further steps in the mutual interest of the United States and Libya.
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