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Bush Administration Considering Libyan Dismantlement Rewards
The Bush administration is considering quickly implementing several measures to reward Libya for dismantling its WMD programs, including an end to a ban on U.S. oil investment, the Wall Street Journal reported today (see GSN, Jan. 29). If Libya’s WMD dismantlement continues to make progress, the Bush administration is expected to ease, or even lift, restrictions on U.S. travel to Libya by the end of the month, according to the Journal. In addition, Bush administration officials said that the White House could also ease the ban on U.S. oil investment in Libya by spring. One way the restrictions could be eased is by allowing U.S. companies to bid on new oil contracts without immediate payment, the officials said. U.S. companies that still held stakes in Libyan oil fields could also be allowed to begin restoring equipment and to begin test pumping. While Bush administration officials have been pleased with Libya’s progress, one official said yesterday that negotiations stalled last week when Libya failed to agree on a schedule for future dismantlement efforts. Another administration official said, though, that the stall was a normal part of discussions. A source close to Tripoli said that problem had been caused by a lack of Libyan personnel, but would be resolved soon (Robbins/Warren, Wall Street Journal, Feb. 2).
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