Cable Viewer

Currently released so far... 3803 / 251,287

### Articles

Brazil Sri Lanka United Kingdom Sweden Editorial United States Latin America Egypt Yemen Jordan

### Browse latest releases

2010/11 2010/12 2011/01 2011/02
2010/11/28 2010/11/29 2010/11/30
2010/12/01 2010/12/02 2010/12/03 2010/12/04 2010/12/05 2010/12/06 2010/12/07 2010/12/08 2010/12/09 2010/12/10 2010/12/11 2010/12/12 2010/12/13 2010/12/14 2010/12/15 2010/12/16 2010/12/17 2010/12/18 2010/12/19 2010/12/20 2010/12/21 2010/12/22 2010/12/23 2010/12/24 2010/12/25 2010/12/26 2010/12/27 2010/12/28 2010/12/29 2010/12/30
2011/01/01 2011/01/02 2011/01/04 2011/01/05 2011/01/07 2011/01/09 2011/01/10 2011/01/11 2011/01/12 2011/01/13 2011/01/14 2011/01/15 2011/01/16 2011/01/17 2011/01/18 2011/01/19 2011/01/20 2011/01/21 2011/01/22 2011/01/23 2011/01/24 2011/01/25 2011/01/26 2011/01/27 2011/01/28 2011/01/29 2011/01/30 2011/01/31
2011/02/01 2011/02/02 2011/02/03 2011/02/04

### Browse by creation date

66 72 73 75 79 86 88 89 90 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10
1966/12
1972/02 1972/08
1973/04
1975/03
1979/08
1986/05
1988/01
1989/12
1990/01 1990/07 1990/08
2000/06 2000/09 2000/11
2001/02 2001/03 2001/07 2001/10
2002/02 2002/03 2002/11
2003/03 2003/04 2003/05 2003/06 2003/07 2003/08 2003/09 2003/10 2003/11 2003/12
2004/01 2004/02 2004/03 2004/04 2004/05 2004/06 2004/07 2004/08 2004/09 2004/10 2004/11 2004/12
2005/01 2005/02 2005/03 2005/04 2005/05 2005/06 2005/07 2005/08 2005/09 2005/10 2005/11 2005/12
2006/01 2006/02 2006/03 2006/04 2006/05 2006/06 2006/07 2006/08 2006/09 2006/10 2006/11 2006/12
2007/01 2007/02 2007/03 2007/04 2007/05 2007/06 2007/07 2007/08 2007/09 2007/10 2007/11 2007/12
2008/01 2008/02 2008/03 2008/04 2008/05 2008/06 2008/07 2008/08 2008/09 2008/10 2008/11 2008/12
2009/01 2009/02 2009/03 2009/04 2009/05 2009/06 2009/07 2009/08 2009/09 2009/10 2009/11 2009/12
2010/01 2010/02

### Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Embassy Athens Embassy Asuncion Embassy Astana Embassy Asmara Embassy Ashgabat Embassy Ankara Embassy Amman Embassy Algiers Embassy Addis Ababa Embassy Accra Embassy Abuja Embassy Abu Dhabi Embassy Abidjan Consulate Amsterdam American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura Embassy Buenos Aires Embassy Budapest Embassy Bucharest Embassy Brussels Embassy Bridgetown Embassy Bratislava Embassy Brasilia Embassy Bogota Embassy Bishkek Embassy Bern Embassy Berlin Embassy Belgrade Embassy Beirut Embassy Beijing Embassy Bangkok Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan Embassy Bamako Embassy Baku Embassy Baghdad Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen Embassy Conakry Embassy Colombo Embassy Chisinau Embassy Caracas Embassy Canberra Embassy Cairo Consulate Curacao Consulate Casablanca Consulate Cape Town
Embassy Dushanbe Embassy Dublin Embassy Doha Embassy Djibouti Embassy Dhaka Embassy Dar Es Salaam Embassy Damascus Embassy Dakar Consulate Dubai
Embassy Freetown
Embassy Guatemala Embassy Gaborone
Embassy Harare Embassy Hanoi Consulate Hamburg
Iran RPO Dubai Embassy Islamabad Consulate Istanbul
Embassy Jakarta Consulate Jerusalem Consulate Jeddah
Embassy Kyiv Embassy Kuwait Embassy Kuala Lumpur Embassy Kinshasa Embassy Kigali Embassy Khartoum Embassy Kampala Embassy Kabul
Embassy Luxembourg Embassy Luanda Embassy London Embassy Lisbon Embassy Lima Embassy La Paz Consulate Lagos
Mission USNATO Embassy Muscat Embassy Moscow Embassy Montevideo Embassy Monrovia Embassy Minsk Embassy Mexico Embassy Maputo Embassy Manama Embassy Managua Embassy Madrid Consulate Munich Consulate Montreal Consulate Monterrey
Embassy New Delhi Embassy Nassau Embassy Nairobi Consulate Naples
Embassy Ouagadougou Embassy Ottawa Embassy Oslo
Embassy Pristina Embassy Pretoria Embassy Prague Embassy Port Au Prince Embassy Phnom Penh Embassy Paris Embassy Paramaribo Embassy Panama Consulate Peshawar
Embassy Quito
REO Basrah Embassy Rome Embassy Riyadh Embassy Riga Embassy Reykjavik Embassy Rangoon Embassy Rabat Consulate Rio De Janeiro Consulate Recife
Secretary of State Embassy Stockholm Embassy Sofia Embassy Skopje Embassy Singapore Embassy Seoul Embassy Sarajevo Embassy Santo Domingo Embassy Santiago Embassy Sanaa Embassy San Salvador Embassy San Jose Consulate Strasbourg Consulate Shenyang Consulate Shanghai Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis Embassy Tripoli Embassy Tokyo Embassy The Hague Embassy Tel Aviv Embassy Tehran Embassy Tegucigalpa Embassy Tbilisi Embassy Tashkent Embassy Tallinn
USUN New York USEU Brussels US Mission Geneva US Interests Section Havana US Delegation, Secretary UNVIE Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius Embassy Vienna Embassy Vatican Consulate Vladivostok
Embassy Windhoek Embassy Wellington Embassy Warsaw
Embassy Yerevan Embassy Yaounde
Embassy Zagreb

### Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
AJ ASEC AF AR AMGT ACOA AEC AO AE AU AFIN AORC AX AMED ADCO AG AODE APER AFFAIRS AC AS AM AL ASIG ABLD ABUD AA AEMR AFU ASUP AROC ATFN AGMT ATRN
BL BR BO BH BTIO BEXP BU BIDEN BM BK BY BA BG BE BF BB BC BBSR BRUSSELS BILAT BX
CI CO CH CU CVIS CIS CA CBW CF CLINTON CM CASC CMGT CN CE CJAN CONDOLEEZZA COE CR CY CG CS CD CTM COUNTRY CLEARANCE CPAS CWC CT CKGR CB CACS COM COUNTER CDG CJUS CARSON COUNTERTERRORISM CIA CACM CDB CV CAN
DR DA DHS DOE DEA DK DJ DISENGAGEMENT DS DOD DEAX
ECON EINV EAIR EAID EFIN EWWT EPET ENRG ETRD ECPS EUN ER EINT EIND EAGR EMIN ETTC ELTN ELAB EU EFIS EG EI EN ES EC EXTERNAL ECIN EINVETC ENVR ENIV EZ EINN ENGR EUR ECA ET ESA ELECTIONS ECUN EINVEFIN ECIP EINDETRD EUC EREL
FR FAO FTAA FREEDOM FI FARC FBI FJ FMLN FINR
GG GM GH GE GR GTIP GV GT GOI GCC GAZA GZ GA GTMO
HUMAN HILLARY HO HA HYMPSK HR HU HURI HK
IC IZ IT ITPHUM IR IV IPR IWC IS IQ IN IO IAEA ID ICTY ISRAELI IRAQI IIP ICRC ICAO IMO IF ILC IEFIN INRB INTELSAT IL IA IBRD IMF ITALY ITALIAN INTERPOL IRAJ INRA INRO
JOSEPH JA JO JP JOHNNIE JUS JAMES
KHLS KNNP KGHG KSCA KIRF KGIC KRAD KDEM KCRM KIPR KJUS KCOR KE KWMN KSPR KG KZ KN KTFN KISL KTIA KPAL KHIV KWBG KS KACT KPRP KU KAWC KOLY KCIP KCFE KOCI KV KMDR KPKO KPAO KTDB KMRS KFRD KTIP KLIG KBCT KICC KMCA KGIT KSTC KUNR KPAK KNEI KSEP KPOA KFLU KNUP KNNPMNUC KVPR KOMC KAWK KO KTER KSUM KHUM KRFD KBIO KBTR KDDG KWWMN KFLO KSAF KBTS KDRG KPRV KMPI KHDP KNPP KNAR KWMM KERG KFIN KTBT KCRS KRVC KR KPWR KWAC KMIG KSEC KIFR KDEMAF KGCC KPIN KNUC KPLS KIRC KCOM KDEV
LY LG LE LH LI LU LO LOG LT
MARR MK MNUC MTRE MOPS MX MASS MU MTCRE MCAP ML MO MP MA MY MIL MDC MTCR MAR MEPI MRCRE MI MT MR MQADHAFI MD MAPS MUCN MPOS MZ MEPP MOPPS MAPP MG MASC MCC
NE NS NAR NATO NL NPT NO NI NIPP NZ NU NPG NK NSG NA NT NASA NG NGO NATIONAL
OTRA OSCE OPRC OVIP OAS OFDP OREP OIIP OPIC OPDC OEXC OECD ODIP OPCW OSCI OTR OVP OFFICIALS OSAC
PARM PREL PINS PTER PGOV PBTS PHUM PINR PK PREF PHSA PROP PE PO PA PM PMIL PL PTERE POL PF PALESTINIAN PY PGGV PNR POV PAK PAO PFOR PHALANAGE PARTY PNAT PARMS PROV PEL POLITICS PEPR PSI PINT PSOE PU POLITICAL PARTIES PBIO PECON POGOV PINL PKFK PGOF
QA
RU RS RIGHTS RW RICE RO ROBERT RF RFE REGION RP
SP SW SOCI SHUM SR SENV SO SNAR SCUL SY SA SMIG SF SZ SU SL SYR ST SANC SC SAN SIPRS SK SI STEINBERG SN SG
TU TO TBIO TW TX TFIN TD TRGY TH TSPL TSPA TZ TIP TPHY TS TK TNGD TERRORISM TI TC TR TT
UK UNGA UZ UNSC UN UY UP UE UNESCO UAE UNO UNEP UG US USTR UNHCR UNMIK UNDP UNHRC USAID UNCHS UNAUS USUN USEU UV
VE VT VM VZ VTPREL VN
WMO WI WTRO WTRQ WHO WWARD WB WBG WTO WA
XM XA XL XF XZ XW XR XH XG XT XC XY XD XS XK
YI YM YE
ZI ZP ZK ZF ZB ZANU ZOELLICK ZR ZU ZA

### Browse by classification

CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN SECRET SECRET//NOFORN UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

### Community resources

Follow us on Twitter Check our Reddit Twitter this Digg this page

courage is contagious

### Browse by ETRD

<< 1 .. 1 2 .. 7 >>

Reference ID | Subject | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
08LONDON1917 | SQUEEZED IN THE JAWS OF THE CREDIT CRUNCH -- UK ECONOMY | 2008-07-23 | 2011-02-04 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy London
08LONDON1921 | SQUEEZED IN THE JAWS OF THE CREDIT CRUNCH -- UK ECONOMY | 2008-07-23 | 2011-02-04 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy London
08LONDON2055 | UK PLEASED WITH FIRST MONTH OF FRENCH PRESIDENCY; | 2008-08-06 | 2011-02-04 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy London
08LONDON2070 | UK DOESN'T EXPECT STRONG NEW BURMA SANCTIONS FROM | 2008-08-08 | 2011-02-04 | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | Embassy London
08LONDON2217 | UK SLIDING TOWARDS RECESSION LONDON 00002217 001.2 OF 004 | 2008-08-29 | 2011-02-04 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy London
08LONDON2460 | London Financial Experts Anxious for Conclusion of U.S. Support Package, Pessimistic on UK Outlook LONDON 00002460 001.2 OF 002 | 2008-09-26 | 2011-02-04 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy London
08LONDON2494 | New Chief Regulator Faces Baptism by Fire in Month of Crashes, Bounces and Bailouts LONDON 00002494 001.2 OF 002 | 2008-10-01 | 2011-02-04 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy London
08LONDON2683 | HMG ACKNOWLEDGES UK ECONOMY ENTERING RECESSION LONDON 00002683 001.2 OF 002 | 2008-10-24 | 2011-02-04 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy London
08LONDON2688 | Lord Kerr on the U.S. - EU Transatlantic Dialogue | 2008-10-24 | 2011-02-04 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy London
08LONDON2785 | BOSNIA, EU-RUSSIAN RELATIONS, AND DRC ARE ON THE UK'S AGENDA AT NOVEMBER GYMNICH AND GAERC MEETINGS | 2008-11-03 | 2011-02-04 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy London
08LONDON2802 | HMG SEES OPPORTUNITY IN BURMA'S GLOBAL FUND APPLICATION REF: STATE 115494 Classified By: Economic Counselor Kathleen Doherty for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) | 2008-11-04 | 2011-02-04 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy London
08LONDON2829 | HMG ACCUSED OF SEEING NO BLAME, HEARING NO BLAME, AND | 2008-11-10 | 2011-02-04 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy London
08LONDON2909 | APOLOGIES, EXCUSES, AND GLOOM - TESTIMONY OF EXECUTIVES OF | 2008-11-20 | 2011-02-04 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy London
08LONDON2970 | Spending Sprees And Tax Hikes: The Highs And Lows Of The | 2008-11-28 | 2011-02-04 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy London
08LONDON3001 | EU/PAKISTAN: HMG REQUESTS USG INFLUENCE THE SWEDES | 2008-12-02 | 2011-02-04 | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | Embassy London
08LONDON3097 | Government's Pre-Budget Report: Too Bullish, Too Risky, | 2008-12-11 | 2011-02-04 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy London
08LONDON3196 | TRADE AND FINANCE EXPERTS SOUND THE ALARM | 2008-12-22 | 2011-02-04 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy London
08LONDON3197 | LIBERTAD ACT: IPNUT FOR UK | 2008-12-22 | 2011-02-04 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy London
09LONDON23 | PM Brown Calls for International Cooperation To Weather | 2009-01-05 | 2011-02-04 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy London
09LONDON38 | CONSERVATIVES ANNOUCE THEIR PLAN FOR RECOVERY | 2009-01-06 | 2011-02-04 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy London
09LONDON1911 | EFFECT OF THE RECESSION ON UK REMITTANCES TO | 2009-08-19 | 2011-02-04 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy London
09LONDON2131 | DEMARCHE RESPONSE FOR UNGA FOOD SECURITY EVENT | 2009-09-14 | 2011-02-04 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy London
09LONDON2237 | Economists Warn UK's Economic Recovery Is Fragile | 2009-09-29 | 2011-02-04 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy London
09LONDON2307 | LABOUR PARTY OUTLINES ECONOMIC STRATEGY IN RUN-UP TO NEXT | 2009-10-07 | 2011-02-04 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy London
09LONDON2478 | UK GOVERNMENT GETS TOUGH ON BANK BONUSES; DEBATES CURBS ON | 2009-11-03 | 2011-02-04 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy London
09LONDON2499 | MILIBAND'S RUSSIA TRIP AIMS TO MOVE BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP FORWARD REF: LONDON DAILY 11/3/09 Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Richard LeBaron, reasons 1.4 (b,d). | 2009-11-05 | 2011-02-04 | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | Embassy London
09LONDON2516 | UK REACTION: FDA REPORTABLE FOOD REGISTRY | 2009-11-06 | 2011-02-04 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy London
09LONDON2582 |  | 2009-11-18 | 2011-02-04 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy London
09LONDON2592 | UK INPUT: CUBA, LIBERTAD ACT | 2009-11-19 | 2011-02-04 | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | Embassy London
09LONDON2623 | BARONESS CATHERINE ASHTON UNEXPECTED CHOICE FOR EU | 2009-11-20 | 2011-02-04 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy London
09LONDON2705 | UK BANKS: LARGE EXPOSURE TO THE UAE, BUT STILL SMALL TO | 2009-12-03 | 2011-02-04 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy London
09LONDON2710 | UK BANKS: LARGE EXPOSURE TO THE UAE, BUT STILL SMALL TO | 2009-12-04 | 2011-02-04 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy London
09LONDON2857 | UK HOSTS OVERSEAS TERRITORIES LEADERS AT ANNUAL CONFERENCE | 2009-12-18 | 2011-02-04 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy London
10LONDON92 | United Kingdom: Investment Climate Statement 2010 | 2010-01-15 | 2011-02-04 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy London
08STATE18255 | REQUEST FOR KOREA TO HOLD CIVILIAN U.S.-ORIGIN | 2008-02-23 | 2011-02-03 | SECRET//NOFORN | Secretary of State
06TOKYO3567 | Japan Backs Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement Proposal TOKYO 00003567 001.2 OF 002 | 2006-06-28 | 2011-02-03 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Tokyo
06TOKYO5805 | JAPANESE IPR OFFICIALS POSITIVE ON ""GOLD STANDARD"" AGREEMENT; STILL NOT SUPPORTING WTO CASE AGAINST CHINA REF: A) TOKYO 3873 B) TOKYO 4025 TOKYO 00005805 001.2 OF 004 Classified By: CLASSIFIED BY CDA JOSEPH DONOVAN FOR REASONS: 1.4 b, d | 2006-10-05 | 2011-02-03 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Tokyo
06ROME3205 | ANTI-COUNTERFEITING TRADE AGREEMENT (ACTA): ITALY | 2006-12-01 | 2011-02-03 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy Rome
07ROME290 | ANTI-COUNTERFEITING TREATY AGREEMENT (ACTA) - ITALY'S CONCERNS REF: A. 06 ROME 3243 B. 06 ROME 3205 C. 06 STATE 182554 | 2007-02-12 | 2011-02-03 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy Rome
07LISBON2288 | AUSTR DONNELLY DISCUSSES TRADE ISSUES WITH PORTUGUESE EU PRESIDENCY | 2007-09-06 | 2011-02-03 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy Lisbon
07MEXICO6229 | MEXICO IPR: 301 UPDATE; INTERNATIONAL POSTURE; USG PROGRAMS REF: (A) SECSTATE 158938 (B) SECSTATE 107629 (C) MEXICO 4467 (D) MEXICO 6196 | 2007-12-19 | 2011-02-03 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy Mexico
08ROME1337 | BERLUSCONI GOVERNMENT AND IPR -- FIRST SIGNS OF LIFE | 2008-11-05 | 2011-02-03 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Rome
09STOCKHOLM736 | CONCERNS ABOUT ACTA NEGOTIATIONS AND IPR UPDATE: IPRED, PIRATE BAY, AND VODDLER Ref: A) STOCKHOLM 733, B) STOCKHOLM 676 STOCKHOLM 00000736 001.2 OF 002 | 2009-11-24 | 2011-02-03 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Stockholm
05SANAA1589 | GOOD NEWS FOR YEMEN'S INVESTMENT CLIMATE: DUBAI | 2005-06-14 | 2011-02-03 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Sanaa
05VILNIUS781 |  | 2005-07-28 | 2011-02-03 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Vilnius
08ANKARA1417 | GOT STATUS UPDATE ON TRANSFER OF BOEING 747 TO IRAN BY ANKAIR: THE PLOT THICKENS REF: SECSTATE 84112 | 2008-08-08 | 2011-02-02 | SECRET | Embassy Ankara
08ANKARA1476 | SECOND UPDATE ON TRANSFER OF BOEING 747 TO IRAN BY ANKAIR REF: A. SECSTATE 84112 B. ANKARA 1417 | 2008-08-15 | 2011-02-02 | SECRET | Embassy Ankara
08TRIPOLI402 | POLITICAL-ECONOMIC REFORM, JAMAHIRIYA-STYLE | 2008-05-16 | 2011-02-01 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Tripoli
08TRIPOLI554 | LIBYAN MEASURES TO CHECK RISING FOOD COSTS AND ACQUIRE | 2008-07-09 | 2011-02-01 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Tripoli
08TRIPOLI584 | LIBYAN FOREIGN BANK - PRIMED FOR EXPANSION REF: A) GODFREY-MCKEEHAN EMAIL 7/15/2008, B) TRIPOLI 214, C) TRIPOLI 230, D) TRIPOLI 126, E) TRIPOLI 199, F) TRIPOLI 227 CLASSIFIED BY: John T. Godfrey, CDA, U.S. Embassy - Tripoli, Dept of State. REASON: 1.4 (b), (d) 1. (C) Summary: The Libyan Foreign Bank (LFB), Libya's longtime conduit for international trade, is pursuing a substantial program of expansion involving a ten-fold increase in its capitalization and creation of an onshore bank. Its chairman is aggressively seeking new investment opportunities in Africa and beyond, and is contemplating whether and how to get into the U.S. market. The LFB recently doubled its capitalization of Bahrain-based Alubaf Bank, of which it has a 95 percent share. Regarding much-anticipated GOL reform initiatives, the LFB's Chairman expects a reprise of past efforts that featured form over substance. End Summary. 2. (SBU) CDA and Econoff met with Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Bayt Almal, Chairman of the Libyan Foreign Bank (formerly known as the Libyan Arab Foreign Bank) on July 16 to discuss recent changes at the LFB and its plans for the future. Established in 1972 as an offshore bank, the LFG has been Libya's leading institution for transactions essential to the conduct of international trade (issuing letters of credit, providing currency exchange services, etc.). The LFB has historically been the only Libyan bank that handled foreign currency accounts; Bayt Almal confirmed that it still does not possess any Libyan dinar-denominated accounts. ALUBAF BANK 3. (C) CDA asked about press reports detailing recent initiatives made by Bahrain-based Alubaf Arab International Bank. Bayt Almal confirmed that a proposal to double Alubaf's capital to $100 million and to appoint Bayt Almal to the Board of Directors were approved by shareholders in a meeting on July 9. He offered that Alubaf Bank nearly collapsed after a significant number of Iraqi-owned accounts were closed in 2003, but said the bank had since rebounded. He confirmed that the LFB owns a 95% share of Alubaf's Bahrain branch and 100% of its branch in Tunisia (ref A). Libya's Central Bank owns 100% of LFB, and is therefore the ultimate owner of Alubaf. DIVERSIFIED & SEEKING A PRESENCE IN THE U.S. 4. (SBU) The LFB's foreign interests are diverse and growing. It currently has "participation" (i.e., interests) in thirty-seven foreign entities located in twenty countries, from Mexico to China. Most of its interests are focused in sub-Saharan Africa, including every country in the Maghreb except Morocco. Bayt Almal estimated the LFB's current capital at $1 billion, with assets in excess of $21 billion worldwide. We had heard and reported previously that all Libyan government and financial institutions had divested themselves of holdings and accounts in the U.S. in response to potential seizure of assets under Section 1083 of the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act (the so-called Lautenberg Amendment. According to Bayt Almal, the LFB continues to hold U.S. dollar accounts and - despite efforts by the Libyan Investment Authority and other Libyan government entities to limit their exposure in the U.S. (ref B) - is actively exploring the possibility of establishing a "strategic partnership" with a major U.S. bank and investing in a U.S.-based bank. LAND HO: MOVING ONSHORE 5. (SBU) Bayt Almal said that the LFB planned to open an onshore bank in Libya soon, contingent on approval by its parent institution, the Central Bank (CB). A plan currently before CB Governor Farhat Ben Gdara calls for a ten-fold expansion of the LFB's capital, from $1 billion to $10 billion. Conceding that LFB had aimed high, Bayt Almal said he would be happy with $6-7 billion, and expected to get it. Part of the justification for expanded capitalization involves establishing an onshore entity, which would allow LFB to diversify the range of products it offers in the Libyan market. With the continuing reform of the Libyan banking system, to include the purchase of stakes in Libyan banks by foreign entities (refs C, D), the LFB wants to ensure that it will remain competitive. It intends to inaugurate risk management and asset management services, which would both be entirely new service lines for the bank. (Note: Risk management and asset management are areas CB Governor Ben Gdara told us are most in need of help. End note.) In anticipation of this step, the LFB has expanded its training TRIPOLI 00000584 002 OF 002 efforts, sending employees abroad for hands-on training at partner institutions in Europe (Britain, France, Belgium, and Germany) and the Middle East (Jordan and the UAE). Bayt Almal cited a dearth of trained employees as one of the biggest stumbling blocks to banking reform in Libya. AL-QADHAFI'S PROPOSED GOVERNMENT REFORMS - "FORM OVER SUBSTANCE" 6. (C) Responding to a question about expected privatization and government restructuring stemming from Muammar al-Qadhafi's dramatic speech to the General People's Congress on March 2 (refs E, F), Bayt Almal wearily noted that Libya had "been through this before". He referred to his own experience in 2000, when the Libyan Cabinet underwent wholesale changes, leaving only Bayt Almal (then the Finance Minister) and the Foreign Minister in a "Prime Minister-plus two" formulation. During that round of reform, other ministries were re-labeled as "Haya" (translated as "institution" or "entity"). Despite the semantics, the old structures were essentially left in place. Bayt Almal expected a similar outcome at the end of the current reform exercise. He predicted that foreign affairs, defense, finance and the security services would be left intact in their current guises as "sovereign ministries" that would report directly to the Prime Minister-equivalent, a formulation al-Qadhafi himself hinted at in his March 2 address. 7. (C) Biographical Note: Bayt Almal was born in Egypt in 1948 and spent his childhood in Benghazi, despite the fact that his family originally hails from Misurata. He spent 1970-1978 in U.S., where he obtained an MA in accounting (in Muncie, Indiana) and PhD (at the University of Kentucky in Lexington) in finance. He then returned to Libya, where taught accounting at Garyounis University in Benghazi before serving as Secretary of Finance (1992-2000) and Auditor General (2003-2005). Various sources report that he served a three-year prison sentence in 2000-2003 in connection with an embezzlement case in Benghazi (Emboffs were not able to corroborate this story during their office call). Bayt Almal was married in 1970 while in the U.S., and he has seven daughters (two of them AmCits by birth), all of whom currently reside in/around Misurata. End biographical note. GODFREY | 2008-07-21 | 2011-02-01 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Tripoli

<< 1 .. 1 2 .. 7 >>