Libya hires influential firm to lobby Obama

On Wednesday 21 December 1988, a Boeing 747-121 named Clipper Maid of the Seas-was destroyed by a Libyan bomb, killing all 243 passengers and 16 crew members. Eleven people in Lockerbie, south Scotland, were killed as large sections of the plane fell in and around the town, bringing total fatalities to 270.

A report by a key consultant for the Libyan regime outlined plans to press the White House for a military and security relationship between Tripoli and Washington.

The Washington DC Livingston Group, envisions U.S. arms sales, military assistance, training and joint exercises to and with Libya.

“The U.S.-Libyan security and defense relationship will be an important part of the overall bilateral relationship, and now that the settlement of outstanding claims (Libya’s payment for its role in the murders o Flight 103) is resolved, this will open the path for a way forward in the defense relationship,” the 42-page report, titled “2008-2009 Full Normalization Action Program: Moving the New Libya-U.S. Bilateral Relationship Forward,” said.

In December 2008, Tripoli and Washington signed an agreement meant to pave the way for defense and security cooperation. Officials said the agreement envisioned the U.S. export of non-lethal systems, including aircraft, to Libya.

The Livingston Group, which employs former senior U.S. officials and members of Congress, plans to lay the groundwork for a robust U.S.-Libyan military relationship. The confidential report, which contained recommendations for the Tripoli regime, envisions Libya as upgrading its military to reach interoperability with NATO and the United States.

“The first step in moving the defense and security relationship forward is to establish regular and direct contact between the U.S. and Libyan militaries,” the report, dated March 11 and obtained by the Libyan opposition, said. “While there have been some contacts already, this should be strengthened and encouraged to build a more institutionalized and scheduled set of meetings. This will take a period of time to establish contacts with the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Defense Security Assistance Agency and State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs.”

Livingston reported a U.S. increase in military training assistance for Libya. The report said the United States has already been training Libyan officers in English, counter-insurgency and other security skills.

The lobbying group, which did not specify weapons sought by Tripoli, said it plans to win White House approval for a U.S. effort to transform Libya from a Soviet-equipped to Western-equipped military. The report said this would include U.S. exports of surplus weapons and systems to Tripoli as well as military aid by Washington.

The White House would also be pressed to invite Libya to U.S.-led exercises in North Africa. Livingston envisioned that Washington would approve the inclusion of Libya in the biannual Bright Star exercise, sponsored by U.S. Central Command and scheduled to be held in Egypt in November 2009.

“Goal: Secure support from Defense Department and Centcom for Libya to be invited as an observer to the 2009 Bright Star exercise,” the report said.

Livingston said it would arrange for Libyan contacts with U.S. defense majors. The report said the arms export initiative, coordinated with American business groups, would be marketed as an impetus for U.S. industry.

“Now that the ban on U.S. exports of defense articles ended in 2006, it will be important to establish a network of contacts with U.S. defense industries,” the report said. “This can also be considered as part of the overall objective of attracting U.S. businesses to Libya.”

“U.S. defense industries will be interested in promoting either direct commercial sales or, when FMF [U.S. military aid] might be offered, through the government program,” the report said. “U.S. defense industries can be a very powerful tool within Congress since they have a great deal of influence on behalf of U.S. businesses.”

The report also envisioned Libya becoming a major partner of the United States in any war against Al Qaida. Livingston said this would involve additional U.S. aid to Tripoli as well as its inclusion in regional exercises.

“U.S. officials are hopeful that Libya will be included in the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Initiative which currently includes Algeria, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Senegal, Nigeria and Tunisia,” the report said. “This would enable Libya to receive U.S. funding for anti-terrorism assistance as part of the Foreign Operations budget.”

Exactly how this might impact Russia’s plans for a base on the Libyan coast is unclear. But, what is certainly clear is that money will start flowing into Washington DC’s collective pockets to buy influence and concessions from the Obama White House. While it is unlawful for foreign governments to contribute to American political campaigns it is no unusual for lobbying firms to encourage such contributons using client cash.