This annotated chronology is based on the data sources that follow each entry. Public sources often provide conflicting information on classified military programs. In some cases we are unable to resolve these discrepancies, in others we have deliberately refrained from doing so to highlight the potential influence of false or misleading information as it appeared over time. In many cases, we are unable to independently verify claims. Hence in reviewing this chronology, readers should take into account the credibility of the sources employed here.
Inclusion in this chronology does not necessarily indicate that a particular development is of direct or indirect proliferation significance. Some entries provide international or domestic context for technological development and national policymaking. Moreover, some entries may refer to developments with positive consequences for nonproliferation.
1995
US firm Halliburton agrees to pay $2.61 million in civil penalties and $1.2 million to the US government for violating a US trade embargo by shipping oilfield equipment to Libya. Federal officials were concerned that some of the well servicing equipment sent to Libya between late 1987 and early 1990 could have been used to help develop nuclear weapons. It is unclear whether this equipment would have been used in missile development or strictly nuclear development.
— Bill Miller, "McDonnell Douglas to Pay $2.1 Million Fine in Export Case," Washington Post, 15 November 2001; Jason Leopold, "Halliburton Won't Back Off Doing Biz in Iran, Despite NTC Pension Funds Concerns of Terrorism," Centre for Research on Globalisation, 5 November 2003, <http://www.globalresearch.ca/articles/LEO311A.html>.
8 March 1995
US Defense Secretary William Perry downplays the ballistic missile threat from Libya, saying that the threat from Libyan missiles capable of reaching the continental United States is more than 10 years away.
— AAP, Hobart Mercury, 16 February 1995.
13 March 1995
A daily newspaper in Jerusalem quotes a high-ranking Israeli defense official as saying that Libya has long- and medium-range missiles ready to launch at Israel.
— "Arabs Target Israel," Times-Picayune, 13 March 1995.
1 April 1995
Western intelligence agencies believe Libya and Iran are cooperating to develop a 600-mile-range surface-to-surface missile called al-Fatah. Libya is in the early stages of development of this missile and has sought a partner for the project willing to provide missile technology. After negotiations with Iran, it is believed that Libya will pay Iran more than $31 million in return for material and technological know-how, which could include equipment for a liquid fuel plant. In addition to developing the al-Fatah, it is believed that the two countries will collaborate to increase the range of the old Soviet-made Scud-B missile.
— Michael Evans, "Libya and Iran 'Plan Joint Missile Project'," Times, 1 April 1995.
21 January 1996
US intelligence reports that Libya has expressed interest in acquiring North Korea's Taepodong missile, which is in the development stage and will reportedly have a range of 2,000-3,500km.
— Andrew Gillian, "Rogue States: The New Threat," Sunday Mail, 21 January 1996.
12 February 1996
In his testimony before the US Senate Select Committee, CIA Director John Deutsch says that North Korea has sold Scud-B and Scud-C missile to Libya, Syria, Iran, and others. The missiles have a range of 300 and 500km, respectively.
— John M. Deutch, "Worldwide Threat Assessment Brief to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence by the Director of Central Intelligence, John M. Deutch," 22 February 1996, <http://www.odci.gov/>.
11 April 1996
A report by the US Defense Department warns that Libya is spending several hundred million dollars a year to develop chemical and biological weapons and the missiles to deliver them.
— R. Jeffrey Smith, "Germ, Nuclear Arms Top Pentagon's List of Threats," Washington Post, 12 April 1996.
July 1996
The US Arms Control and Disarmament Agency tells Congress that Libya is suspected of chemical and biological warhead development and possible possession.
— Associated Press, "Israel Links up to US Missile Warning Satellite," Jerusalem Post, 5 January 1997.
10 October 1996
In its assessment of ballistic missile capabilities, the International Institute for Strategic Studies stresses the concern Western powers have over Libya's potential chemical and biological weapons-capable missiles.
— Michael Evans, "'Growing Missile Threat' to Europe," The Times, 10 October 1996.
26 November 1996
A leaked NATO classified document forecasts that, by 2006, Libya's missiles will have a range of 1,864 miles (3,000km) and will be capable of being fitted with nuclear, chemical, or biological warheads. Intelligence experts also warn that Libya could proliferate to other countries or terrorist organizations.
— "Libya Feared Capable of Mass Destruction Within 10 Years," Herald (Glasgow), 26 November 1996.
9 December 1996
The Washington Times, citing a top-secret CIA report from October 2, says that two "Ukrainian entities" have agreed to sell $500 million worth of short-range Scud-B missiles to Libya. Ukraine denies the allegations.
— Bill Gertz, "Kiev Imperils US Aid with Libya Arms Deal," Washington Times, 9 December 1996; "World in Brief; Missile Sale Denied," Atlanta Journal and Constitution, 11 December 1996; Martin Walker, "Inside America: Lake Faces Rough Rise in the Senate; CIA Leaks Suggest Move to Trip up Clinton Nominee," Guardian (London), 10 December 1996.
3 January 1997
A Colonel in Israel's Air Force Reserves alleges that Egypt is cooperating with Libya on the development of chemical and biological warheads.
— Yoash Tsiddon-Chatto, "We Must Reshuffle Priorities," Jerusalem Post, 3 January 1997.
21 July 1997
Libya may have given the IRA up to 20 surface-to-air missiles during the mid-1980s.
— David Sharrock, "IRA Ceasefire: Two Feeble Cheers as the Weapons Are Put Away – Again," Guardian, 21 July 1997.
6 August 1997
According to a secret NATO report leaked to a Spanish newspaper, Libya will have ballistic missiles with a 1,250-mile range by 2006.
— Scott Peterson, "Peace in the Balance: A New Instability Threatens the Middle East," Christian Science Monitor, 6 August 1997.
11 August 1997
Italian police confiscate German-made machinery parts illegally bound for Libya that could be used in missile manufacturing. The parts, tracked by Italian officers since January, were discovered in three cargo containers in the port of La Spezia.
— "Missile Parts for Libya," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 11 August 1997; "Libya-Bound Cargo Seized," Financial Times, 12 August 1997.
21 November 1997
Unnamed intelligence sources believe Iran and Libya have struck a deal to collaborate on the development of a ballistic missile with a range of more than 1,250 miles. Western intelligence sources say Libya is already at an advanced stage in the production of the al-Fatah missile, a surface-to-surface missile with a range of more than 600 miles. It is believed that Tehran would supply Libya with surface-to-surface missiles and technology, eventually resulting in an enhanced missile with a range of more than 800 miles and a 1,650lbs. warhead in the first phase, and an advanced system with a range of more than 1,250 miles and a warhead of 2,200lbs. at a later stage. Moreover, the deal struck between Libya and Iran is said to involve building a plant in Libya to make fuel and fuel components for ballistic missiles.
— Michael Evans, "Tehran Deal to Help with Libyan Missile," The Times, 21 November 1997.
20 January 1998
Libya announces that the al-Fatah medium-range missile was specifically developed for strikes against Israel. Libya does not yet have missiles capable of reaching Israel, but is trying to build or purchase some.
— Arieh O'Sullivan, "F-15I, the IAF's State-of-the-Art Deterrent," Jerusalem Post, 20 January 1998.
15 February 1998
The House of Representatives Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare reports that Iraq signed an agreement to provide Libya with ballistic missile experts. The report was based on US, German, and Israeli intelligence. The White House later states that it has "no credible evidence that Iraq has exported weapons of mass destruction technology to other countries since the Gulf war."
— "Report: Arab States Shielding Iraq's Weapons," St. Petersburg Times, 15 February 1998; Reuters, "Standoff with Iraq; Iraqi Arms-Export Doubts," New York Times, 17 February 1998.
20 May 1998
Russia's FSB includes Libya with North Korea, Pakistan, and Iran on its "black list" of foreign entities they suspect of having military programs that are illegally developing weapons of mass destruction and missiles for their delivery. The list was developed in accordance with the Russian National Security Concept of December 1997, which states that the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons and their delivery systems is one of the top priorities of Russian national security.
— "Russian Security Service Lists Firms Developing Weapons of Mass Destruction," Interfax, 20 May 1998; "Nerasprostraneniye yadernogo oruzhiya—osnova bezopasnosti strany," Segodnya, 23 May 1998.
17 June 1998
US intelligence reports claim China is passing missile technology to Libya. Libyan technicians developing the long-range al-Fatah missile have supposedly received help from Chinese missile experts.
— Tom Rhodes, "China 'Helping Libya and Iran to Build Missiles'," The Times, 17 June 1998; Bill Gertz, "Beijing Delivered Missile Technology to Libya," Washington Times, 13 April 2000.
21 June 1998
Libya and South Africa strike a $700 million deal in which Libya will provide oil in return for South African weapons, which include surface-to-air missile systems.
— Con Coughlin, "Mandela in Arms Deal with Libya: Secret Arms-for-Oil Pact Worth $700 Million," Ottawa Citizen, 21 June 1998.
17 July 1998
The United States imposes trade restrictions and halts assistance to nine Russian enterprises charged with helping Libya, among others, with the development of weapons of mass destruction or missiles to deliver them. The nine enterprises are: INOR Scientific Centre, the Grafit and Polyus Research Institutes, the Tikhomirov Institute, Glavkosmos, the Komintern plant in Novosibirsk, the MOSO Company, Baltic State Technical University, and Europalace 2000.
— "Russians Face US Sanctions," Financial Times, 17 July 1998.
1999
Unnamed US officials say a US spy satellite photographed Libyan efforts to enlarge a missile test facility as part of the development program.
— Bill Gertz, "Beijing Delivered Missile Technology to Libya, US Says," Washington Times, 13 April 2000.
March 1999
Intelligence officials say missile cooperation begins between the state-run China Precision Machinery Import-Export Co. and the Libyan government, supposedly to help in the development of Libya's long-range al-Fatah missile.
— Bill Gertz, "Beijing Delivered Missile Technology to Libya, US Says," Washington Times, 13 April 2000.
26 May 1999
A Congressional report charges that China has proliferated missile technology and nuclear secrets to Libya, Iran, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia.
— Ben Fenton, "China Gave US Secrets to Unstable Regimes: 700-page Report Calls China a Nuclear Threat after Stealing Data for 40 Years," Ottawa Citizen, 26 May 1999.
21 June 1999
The number of North Koreans possibly involved in missile development in Libya and Egypt has increased.
— "Up to 300 N. Koreans in Egypt for Missile Program," World Tribune, 21 June 2001, <http://www.worldtribune.com/>; "Up to 300 N. Koreans Aid Egypt's Missile Program," Middle East Newsline, vol. 3,no. 242, 21 June 2001, <http://www.menewsline.com/>.
30 June 1999
Indian Customs agents force North Korean freighter Kuwolsan to reveal its covert cargo – an almost complete assembly line for ballistic missiles, with Libya its intended recipient, according to US intelligence officials. The shipment did not include everything needed for missile production, which leads experts to believe that other shipments may have occurred prior to or following this consignment. Agents find tips of nose cones, sheet metal for rocket frames, machine tools, guidance systems, and multiple pages of engineers' drawings labeled "Scud-B" and "Scud-C" hidden inside wooden crates marked "water refinement equipment." While some crates contained water treatment equipment, most of the others contained equipment that appeared to have been transported straight from a missile factory, including: components for missile subassembly; machine tools for setting up a fabrication facility; instrumentation for evaluating the performance of a full missile system; equipment for calibrating missile components; nose cones; stacks of metal pipe and heavy-duty presses used for milling high-grade steel; a plate-bending machine capable of rolling thick metal sheets; toroidal air bottles used to guide warheads after separation from a missile, and theodolites, devices that measure missile trajectories. Documents seized with the shipment reveal design plans for a modified Scud, altered to increase the range up to approximately 500 miles.
— Joby Warrick, "On North Korean Freighter, a Hidden Missile Factory," Washington Post, 14 August 2003; Lynne O'Donnell, "Weapons Smuggler Caught," Weekend Australian, 7 August 1999.
5 September 1999
After the lifting of UN sanctions earlier in the year, Russia is said to have entered negotiations with Libya on modernization of the entire Libyan air-defense system.
— Michael Walker, "Cut-Price Russian Arms a Threat to West," Straights Times (Singapore), 5 September 1999.
October 1999
Libyan Defense Minister and army chief of staff, General Abu Bakr Jaber, signs a contract for the delivery of 50 Nodong missiles and seven launchers. According to Middle East Newsline, the contract for the missile is signed with North Korea's state-owned Ch'ngch'žn'gang Corporation. The deliveries are to begin in July 2000 and will continue in three more consignments over two years from the first delivery. The agreement includes the dispatch of nine North Korean engineers and technicians to assist with the project for two years in order to make the missiles operational.
— Con Coughlin, "Missile Deal Puts Israel in Gaddafi Sights," Sunday Telegraph, Issue 1948, 24 September 2000 <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/>; "Libya Acquires No-Dong Missiles from N. Korea," Middle East Newsline, vol. 2, no. 370, 24 September 2000, <http://www.menewsline.com>.
November 1999
A US Congressional report by the nine-member Republican North Korea Advisory Group suggests that, barring any political or economic intervention, North Korea will export long-range missiles it is developing to countries such as Libya, Iran, Syria, and Pakistan.
— US Congress, House, North Korea Advisory Group, Report to The Speaker US House of Representatives, 106th Congress, 1st session, 1999; "N. Korea Likely to Export New Missiles to Iran, Syria," Middle East Newsline, 4 November 1999, <http://www.menewsline.com>; "Congressional Study Says North Korea Threat Increasing," Korea Times, 4 November 1999.
24 November 1999
British officials at Gatwick Airport formally seize 32 crates of Scud missile parts illegally bound for Libya. The cargo was originally discovered in July, but the British government delayed formal seizure in order to protect its investigation of the smuggling operation. Paperwork seized with the equipment indicates that other shipments had already reached Libya through Britain. Included in the consignment, sent from Taiwan in the name of a knitwear company Hontex, were components of the jet propulsion system for Scuds with a distance of up to 600 miles. A senior British official said the shipment was part of Libya's program to develop the long-range al-Fatah missile. The al-Fatah missile development complex is located 310 miles southeast of Tripoli, where Libya is supposedly trying to develop a longer range alternative to the Russian-made Scuds it already possesses, which have a range of only 185 miles.
— Nicholas Rufford, "Libyans Smuggled Scuds through UK," Sunday Times, 9 January 2000; Michael Binyon, "Missile Find Sours West's Libya Links," The Times (London), 10 January 2000; Michael Binyon, "Britain Hid Missile Seizure from Libya," The Times (London), 11 January 2000.
December 1999
Intelligence reports say China agreed to supply Libya with a hypersonic wind tunnel used for modeling and simulation, key elements of missile development.
— Bill Gertz, "Beijing Delivered Missile Technology to Libya, US Says," Washington Times, 13 April 2000.
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Updated September 2005 |
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