US-President George W. Bush on Wednesday, 28th September 2005 waived some defense export restrictions on Libya to allow U.S. companies to participate in destroying Tripoli's chemical weapons and to refurbish eight transport planes.
It was another step in improving ties after Libya decided in December 2003 to abandon its nuclear, chemical and biological weapons programs. In a memorandum to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Bush said he was waiving some restrictions under the U.S. Arms Export Control Act because it was in the national security interest of the United States. The law restricts defense exports to Libya because the State Department has designated it a state sponsor of terrorism.
Bush waived defense export restrictions "to permit U.S. companies to possibly participate in Libya's program to destroy its chemical weapons stockpile," a White House national security council spokesman said.
It also would allow for the refurbishment of eight C-130H Hercules transport planes purchased by Libya in the 1970s that never ended up in Tripoli's possession, but have been held in storage in the United States, the spokesman said.
"No decision on the disposition of the aircraft, when refurbished, has been made," he said.
It was the latest move in improving ties between the United States and Libya. Earlier this year, the United States ended a restriction barring Libyan diplomats in the United States from traveling more than 25 miles from Washington and New York.
2004, the United States of America ended its trade embargo against Libya as a reward for giving up weapons of mass destruction.
