Rare DXCC countries are usually rare because of one of two reasons. Either they are extremely difficult and expensive to get to, or it is difficult to obtain permission to operate there for political or ecological reasons.
Libya had not permitted amateur radio operation for quite a few years due to the political atmosphere there. A group of Ukrainian hams managed a breakthrough in 1995 and performed a large operation from Tripoli.
These courageous individuals funded the whole project out of their own pockets until they had DXCC accreditation for the operation. This accreditation was slow in coming, but finally came. Cards were issued by Carl, N4AA, for U.S. stations, and by Toly, UT3UY, for Europe and anyone else who wished to send a card to him. This is one of the cards that Toly issued.
On the night I worked 5A1A on 40 meters, some "LID" (I had other names for
him but I'll be kind here) tuned up about 100 Hz lower than the real 5A1A and began
working people in the pileup. When I worked one of them I got a bit confused
about which was the real 5A1A and hoped I worked the real one. A DXer friend
who had just worked them told me later he was sure I had worked Toly, as he
knew him and was familiar with his operating style and "fist". I'm glad
he was right!
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