Libya-United States Relations, 1969-1986
This thesis examines Libya-United States Relations from 1969 until 1986. The period between the September 1969 Revolution and 1986 saw an important development in the relationship between the two countries. The September Revolution marked a shift in the pattern of Libya-United States relations as...
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English English |
| Published: |
1999
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/8219/1/FEM_1999_2_A.pdf |
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| Summary: | This thesis examines Libya-United States Relations from 1969 until 1986. The
period between the September 1969 Revolution and 1986 saw an important
development in the relationship between the two countries. The September
Revolution marked a shift in the pattern of Libya-United States relations as Libya
took a more independent approach to conducting its domestic affairs and
establishing foreign relations not only with the United States, but with other
countries as well. It was this shift in Libyan domestic and foreign policies that set a
new trend in its relations with the United States.
This study was based on a historical approach and the re-examination of secondary
documents such as books, newspaper clippings, official publications and my own
experience as a foreign affairs officer. The study discovered several important
developments and factors that shaped Libya-United States Relation between
1969-1986.
Firstly, relations between Libya and the United States deteriorated especially after
the September 1969 Revolution when the leadership of the former passed over to
Colonel Muammar Qadhafi, a military personnel, who brought in his personal style
of leadership that was backed by popular Libyan support. Qadhafi's attempt to
construct a new and truly independent Libya and make the country a key
international player in the region were strongly met with resistance, especially from the United States which had grown use to its increasingly dominant role in
the region and which had also gone unchallenged.
Secondly, Libya' s firm stand on its national independence and its actions to
remove foreign influences and domination triggered the start of a sour relation with
the United States. This turn of relation was not augmented by the fact that Libya
was also a strong proponent of the Arab nationalism and its undivided support for
pan-African nationalism. As Libya's began to take a more dominant role in the
region, the country was becoming increasingly viewed in negative light. United
States' perception of Libya was beginning to be couched in terms such as
"terrorists" or "sponsors" of terrorism on the international scale.
Thirdly, the deterioration in the bilateral relations between the two countries was
manifested by the trade volumes that plummeted especially in the post- 1 969
period. Before this period, relations between the two had been marked by friendly
relations and was demonstrated by the presence of not only the American military
personnel but also of a sizeable American business community, especially in
Tripoli.
Fourthly, the deteriorating relations between the two countries were attributed to
several factors such as the American perception of Libya as a state that supported
terrorists and terrorist acts and Libya's negative image that was being perpetrated
by the western media and prominent personalities that were close to the American
leadership.
Lastly, this study ended in 1986 because this period represented the lowest ebb in
Libya-United States relations. By this period, there was no formal relation as both
countries withdrew diplomatic representations in each other's capital. Signs of
better relations only seem to have resurfaced in the late 1990s. However, the extent
to which this might develop further to benefit the peoples of the two countries
remains to be seen. But this contemporary development in the Libya-United States
relations is not within the scope of this study. |
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