EXCERPTS OF INTERVIEW: 'WE REFUSE TO ASSASSINATE'

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90-00552R000505410099-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 16, 2010
• Sequence Number: 99
• Publication Date: December 7, 1981
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/09/16: CIA-RDP90-00552R000505410099-0
ARTICLE APPEARED
ON P AGE A2
Excerpts of the interview with
Col. Muammar Qaddafi yesterday:
Q. The [U.S.] government says it
has evidence that you've sent assas-
sination squads ... for the purpose
of:- killing President Reagan and
other top American officials. Would
you comment?
A. We have no patience. to hear
this again. If they have evidence, .we
are ready to see this evidence, to see
who these people are who are acting
behind us and behind the -Libyan
people to commit this crime.
'We refuse to assassinate any per-
son. On the other side, we are ready
to `fight against American militaryreceived on our borders, because
America is taking us, taking our
Arab- country, Arab land .... it is
not our character, not our behavior,
to'assassinate any person.-
It is the behavior of America, pre=
paring to assassinate me, to poison
my food. They tried many things to
do this:
Q:. Are you saying..'. that the
Americans actually tried to kill you?
A.. Yes, I am sure. The world is
sure also. It is true
Q. If the reports about the Libyan i
plot against the president are note
true, why do you think the United
States is making these accusations
against you?
A...:. because we are refusing to
bow our head in front of America.
and we refused to be under the dom-
ination of America and we refused to
be- slaves of America America
wants to dominate all the world and
divide the world into enemies or
refuse to
and we
to America
la
.
,
ves
s
be slaves.
I think the Zionist propaganda is
behind the many accusations and
allegations against us in America.
Q. Do you still want good, normal
relations with the United States?
_A.-Yes, we still want good,rela-
tions with the United. States, like
any other countries in the world. But
America refuses to normalize '.the.:
THE WASHINGTON POST
7 December 1981
ls,'ot In,
r I
defuse to Assassbate'
Q. Are you ready to normalize
diplomatic relations? '
A.Yes......
Q; Have you hired former Amer-
ican CIA agents and Green Bereta to
train your troops and to bring in.
weapons?
A.... we didn't hire them, but
they escaped. from America
... came here asking freedom, ask-
ing peaceful life because, they said,
we are living in a hell of CIA, in the
fire of America ....
Q. Did they ever provide you with
American weapons?
A. Not at all, because we have
.. our friends to buy weapons and
... we don't depend on ? these
sources for buying weapons.
Q. . . . there are reports that the
worldwide terrorist called Carlos
lives here in Libya,'you're giving hiXn
protection.r
A.... it is silly question, anyhow.
We don't know this person, and he is
not here; absolutely : .'. America
the superpower is afraid of Qaddafi,
Carlos.
Always Reagan and his adminis-
tration, saying to their people
.through their TV and every broad-
casting stations: Qaddafi, Qaddafi,
Qaddafi, Carlos, Carlos, Libya, Lib-
ya.
How you are silly people .
Libya is only 2 million, and -you are
200 million. You are a superpower.i
How you are afraid?
it. is silly, this administration
and this president. America must get
rid of this administration and fell it.
down, as they did with Nixon, andl
elect another respectful president tol
get respect for America. %
Q..:. those reports: of a .Libyan
plot, the president, of the: United
States himself seemed to take them
.-seriously. Why? ....:..:._,_ ...
A.... because he's silly, he'& ig-
norant. Who gave him this informa
tion? [Sudanese President Jaafarj
Nimeiri? He is Ear...... How you
believe him?
We ready to make' large investi=-
gations in all these reports and to
see who is liar.: And:you will see,
Reagan is liar..
Q.... the antagonism between
your country and the United States
actually did result iri violence.,
two of your planes were shot down
by planes of the American 6th Fleet.
.... Did you plan .anything, any
revenge against the U.S.?
A, It is not a matter of revenge, it
is a matter of defense for our co un] try, for our dignity.; .,
Q.....How do you make relations
between your country and the U.S.
better? .
A. I don't think you can change
this until the American people itself
changes Reagan itself and this bad
administration ...'. I am saying to
the ... American people to - fell
down Reagan as they did with
Nixon, and to get rid of his admin-
istration, to establish good relations
.. i
Reagan is silly, and he is not qual-L
ified to lead America as a superpow-
er. He is [behaving] like a child.
Q.... You're not saying that . he
should be killed.
A. No. I don't speak for killing. It
is not my matter. I speak politically.'-
Q.... there are hundreds of Lib-
yan students in the -United Statesj
studying., Are . you going to bring j
them home? . _ _ .._ ....... _ _.V .. 1
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/09/16: CIA-RDP90-00552R000505410099-0