DATE=8/26/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-237699
TITLE=U-N / LIBYA LOCKERBIE RESPONSE (L)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: LIBYA SAYS IT NEEDS MORE TIME TO CONSIDER A PROPOSAL IT
HAND OVER TO THE NETHERLANDS TWO LIBYANS ACCUSED OF BOMBING A U-S
AIRLINER OVER SCOTLAND IN 1988. U-N CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON
REPORTS.
TEXT: IN A LETTER TO THE THE PRESIDENT OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL,
LIBYA SAYS ITS JUDICIAL AUTHORITIES NEED TIME TO STUDY THE
PROPOSAL, WHICH WAS INCLUDED IN A DRAFT RESOLUTION SUBMITTED TO
THE COUNCIL TUESDAY.
THE DRAFT RESOLUTION SAYS SANCTIONS AGAINST LIBYA WILL BE LIFTED
IF, AMONG OTHER THINGS, LIBYA HANDS OVER TO THE NETHERLANDS TWO
MEN ACCUSED OF BOMBING A PAN AMERICAN AIRLINER OVER SCOTLAND
10-YEARS AGO. THE TWO MEN WOULD BE TRIED UNDER SCOTTISH LAW.
LIBYA IS ASKING THE SECURITY COUNCIL TO POSTPONE ITS DECISION ON
THE DRAFT RESOLUTION UNTIL LIBYAN AUTHORITIES HAVE COMPLETED
THEIR STUDY OF THE DOCUMENTS. THE LETTER SAYS LIBYA IS ANXIOUS
TO ARRIVE AT A SETTLEMENT OF THE DISPUTE, BUT DOES NOT SPECIFY
HOW MUCH TIME IS NEEDED OR WHETHER IT IS LIKELY TO AGREE TO THE
TERMS OF THE PROPOSAL.
DIPLOMATS SAY LIBYA'S REQUEST COULD RESULT IN A SIGNIFICANT
DELAY, AS LIBYA NOTES IT TOOK SEVERAL MONTHS FOR BRITAIN AND THE
UNITED STATES TO PREPARE THE DRAFT RESOLUTION.
U-S OFFICIALS SAY THE DRAFT RESOLUTION IS IN LINE WITH LIBYAN
PROPOSALS ON THE ISSUE. LIBYA HAS REFUSED TO HAND THE TWO
SUSPECTS OVER TO THE UNITED STATES OR SCOTLAND FOR TRIAL. IT HAS
SAID IT WILL AGREE TO A TRIAL IN A NEUTRAL COUNTRY.
THE PROPOSAL FROM BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES FOLLOWS INCREASED
CALLS FROM LIBYA FOR THE LIFTING OF SANCTIONS IMPOSED IN 1992.
U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN HAS BEEN WORKING TO ACHIEVE A
COMPROMISE SETTLEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTRIES INVOLVED IN THE
DISPUTE.
U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY WILL CONSIDER CALLING FOR AN EXPANSION OF
SANCTIONS AGAINST LIBYA IF IT DOES NOT AGREE TO THE TERMS OF THE
DRAFT RESOLUTION. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/RAE
26-Aug-98 12:25 PM EDT (1625 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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