Note on Qaddafi's reaction to socialist support for Arab countries in the war in Lebanon

[Handwritten by Erich Honecker:]

[To] Pb, 28 June 1982

Libya - Socialist States

Gaddafi stated the following on 26 June 1982 to the heads of the Embassies of the USSR, Bulgaria, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, and the GDR in Tripoli:

He is regretting that he is just now meeting for the first time during the current serious situation with the Chiefs of Mission from the socialist community of states. The Libyan leadership “has no answers to the questions of simple people referring to the friendship with the socialist states”. This friendship is “in serious danger”, as the Palestinian people are in danger of liquidation. This friendship “is burning like Beirut”.

“We have finally recognized that our relations are just of a commercial and not of a friendly nature. Your arms you are selling to us are looking to us like children’s toys. Last night 19 Syrian aircraft were shot down. Syria does actually not have a working air defense any more.

We have stopped all arms deals with you, since we do not have confidence any more in your missiles, tanks, and aircraft. The friendship and the relations between you and us are in serious danger. Israel is fighting against us together with America. However, we are facing Israel alone.

The siege of an Arab capital without serious action by the superpowers is a dangerous precedent in international relations. The United States are using their veto power [in the United Nations Security Council] to further the liquidation of the Palestinian people. Israel is issuing an ultimatum to Syria to withdraw its forces from Beirut.

We do regret the situation that has emerged and are asking for urgent transmission of this position to your governments. There is nothing else left to say.”

The Ambassador of the USSR stated the Soviet people cannot accept such a judgment, because the USSR is always supporting the just Arab cause and will also support it in the future.

Gaddafi responded to this: it is not about the bilateral but about international relations.

According to the opinion of our [GDR] Embassy, this statement is fitting within the approach of Libyan organs towards the representatives from socialist states in recent days.