I talked to USec. [Carmelo] Barbero by telephone (through to Tripoli) at 8:00 PM tonight.
While Nur Misuari says they will not participate in a plebiscite, Minister Ali Al Treki has agreed that a plebiscite should be called as agreed upon before in December 1976.
So I call a plebiscite by next week preferably on February 17, 1977 or counter offer that the single region of 9 and 12 exclude Davao [del] Sur, Cotabato Sur and Palawan w/o a plebiscite.
The Batasang Bayan meets in special session next Monday. And the Governors’ and Mayors’ League with the Federation of Barangays the same day or next.
USec. Barbero says the Libyan leadership is in a state of jubilation because of the successful ceasefire for which they are receiving applause from heads of state.
So he feels they will agree to a single region of ten provinces excluding Davao Sur, Cotabato Sur and Palawan. But they want the plebiscite now so that Pres. [Muammar] Khaddafy and Minister Ali Al Treki will not be embarrassed by any adverse results.
Thus, the acceleration of the plebiscite.
I will have to call the regional election soon.
No Official Gazette entry for this day.