DATE=8/26/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-237734
TITLE=LIBYA / LOCKERBIE (L)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: LIBYA HAS INDICATED GENERAL ACCEPTANCE OF A PROPOSAL THAT
IT HAND OVER TO THE NETHERLANDS TWO LIBYANS ACCUSED OF BOMBING AN
AMERICAN AIRLINER OVER SCOTLAND IN 1988. V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON
REPORTS FROM THE UNITED NATIONS.
TEXT: A TWO-PAGE STATEMENT FROM THE LIBYAN FOREIGN MINISTRY
INDICATES THAT LIBYA ACCEPTS THE GENERAL TERMS OF A PLAN PROPOSED
TUESDAY BY BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES. UNDER THE PLAN LIBYA
WILL HAND OVER TO THE NETHERLANDS TWO ALLEGED TERRORIST. THEY
WILL BE TRIED THERE UNDER SCOTTISH LAW ON CHARGES OF BOMBING A
PAN AMERICAN AIRLINER OVER LOCKERBIE, SCOTLAND, IN 1988.
TWO-HUNDRED-SEVENTY PEOPLE WERE KILLED IN THE BOMBING.
WHILE LIBYA'S STATEMENT IS VAGUE, DIPLOMATS SAY IT INDICATES AN
AGREEMENT MAY BE NEAR THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE LIFTING OF
SANCTIONS IMPOSED IN LIBYA IN 1992.
U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEIR PLAN FOR TRYING THE ALLEGED TERRORISTS IS
BASED ON EARLIER PROPOSALS FROM LIBYA, AND THEREFORE SHOULD BE
EASILY ACCEPTED.
UNTIL THIS MONTH, THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN SAID THE ALLEGED
TERRORIST MUST BE TRIED IN ONE OF THEIR TWO COUNTRIES....A DEMAND
REJECTED BY LIBYA.
THE U-N SECRETARY COUNCIL IS EXPECTED TO DISCUSS THE LATEST
LIBYAN STATEMENT WHEN IT MEETS THURSDAY. DIPLOMATS SAY MANY
RELATED ISSUES WILL NEED TO BE RESOLVED IF A FINAL AGREEMENT IS
TO BE REACHED. A DRAFT RESOLUTION ON THE ISSUE SUBMITTED TO THE
SECURITY COUNCIL BY BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES SAYS LIBYA MUST
ALSO SATISFY FRENCH JUDICIAL AUTHORITIES CONCERNING THE BOMBING
OF A FRENCH AIRLINER OVER AFRICA IF SANCTIONS ARE TO BE LIFTED.
LIBYA'S STATEMENT ISSUED WEDNESDAY DOES NOT MENTION THAT
REQUIREMENT. (SIGNED)
NEB/MPR/LSF/ENE-T/PT
26-Aug-98 6:07 PM EDT (2207 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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