GOL RELEASES SWISS - BUT ONLY AS FAR AS THE SWISS EMBASSY

Ref ID: 09TRIPOLI900

Date: 11/9/2009 16:39

Origin: Embassy Tripoli

Classification: CONFIDENTIAL

Destination: 09TRIPOLI763|09TRIPOLI832|09TRIPOLI882

Header: VZCZCXRO3559OO RUEHBC RUEHDBU RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHFL RUEHKUK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNPRUEHROV RUEHSL RUEHSRDE RUEHTRO #0900 3131639ZNY CCCCC ZZHO 091639Z NOV 09FM AMEMBASSY TRIPOLITO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5459INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVERUEHSW/AMEMBASSY BERN IMMEDIATE 0050RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVERUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 1189RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 0859RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME PRIORITY 0653RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DCRUEAIIA/CIA WASHDCRUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI 6008

Tags: PREL,PHUM,CASC,LY,SZ

C O N F I D E N T I A L TRIPOLI 000900 SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA/MAG, EUR/CE E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/9/2019 TAGS: PREL, PHUM, CASC, LY, SZ SUBJECT: GOL RELEASES SWISS - BUT ONLY AS FAR AS THE SWISS EMBASSY REF: A) Tripoli 832, B) Tripoli 763, C) Tripoli 882 (NOTAL) CLASSIFIED BY: Gene A. Cretz, Ambassador, U.S. Embassy Tripoli, Department of State. REASON: 1.4 (b), (d)

1.(C) The two Swiss who were taken into Libyan custody in late September were released to the Swiss Embassy on November 9, without explanation. Swiss Charge Stefano Lazzarotto told Pol/Econ Chief that whether the Swiss will be allowed to depart the country is still an open question. They are in good health, "as good as can be expected under the circumstances," according to a Swiss Government press statement. Lazzarotto thanked the USG and the Ambassador for urging the GOL to release the individuals.

2.(C) Comment: In recent weeks, the Swiss have requested the assistance of a number of third countries, including the USG, the French, and the European Union, to urge the GOL to release the individuals. EU and USG intervention with GOL officials likely contributed to the release. While the news is positive, the situation will not be resolved until the GOL agrees to allow the Swiss to depart. The countries also face the broader question of normalization of relations in the wake of this high-profile and highly sensitive conflict. Post will report further details via septel. CRETZ