DATE=9/24/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-239214
TITLE=LIBYA/LOCKERBIE (L ONLY)
BYLINE=GIL BUTLER
DATELINE=NEW YORK
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN HAVE CALLED ON LIBYA TO
DELIVER TWO SUSPECTS TO THE NETHERLANDS FOR TRIAL IN CONNECTION
WITH THE 1988 TERRORIST BOMBING OF AN AMERICAN AIRLINER THAT
CAUSED THE DEATHS OF 270 PEOPLE. THEIR DEMAND CAME AT A SECURITY
COUNCIL MEETING ON AFRICA AFTER OFFICIALS OF THE ORGANIZATION OF
AFRICAN UNITY CALLED FOR MORE NEGOTIATIONS ON THE WAY THE TRIAL
WILL BE HANDLED. V-O-A'S GIL BUTLER HAS MORE FROM NEW YORK.
TEXT: A MINISTERIAL LEVEL SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING WAS REVIEWING
THE TROUBLED YEAR IN AFRICA AND HEARD THE ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN
UNITY'S SECRETARY GENERAL, SALIM AHMED SALIM, CALL FOR MORE
ACCOMMODATION TO LIBYA'S EXPRESSED CONCERNS OVER THE WAY THE
TRIAL WILL BE RUN. HE PRAISED WHAT HE CALLED THE BREAKTHROUGH IN
ARRANGING FOR THE TRIAL TO TAKE PLACE IN THE NETHERLANDS.
/// SALIM ACT ///
THE SAME SPIRIT OF ACCOMMODATION SHOULD PREVAIL IN EFFORTS TO
BRING ABOUT A JUST AND FAIR TRIAL TO THE SUSPECTS. IN THIS
RESPECT, THE CONCERNS EXPRESSED BY THE LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHURRIA,
NEED TO BE ADDRESSED IN THE SETTING OF MODALITIES FOR THE TRIAL.
/// END ACT ///
LIBYA'S MOAMMAR GADDAFI HAS YET TO TURN OVER THE SUSPECTS FOR
TRIAL.
BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK AND U-S SECRETARY OF STATE
MADELEINE ALBRIGHT BOTH DEPARTED FROM PREPARED REMARKS TO COMMENT
ON AFRICAN OFFICIAL'S CALL FOR NEGOTIATIONS. MR. COOK POINTED
OUT THAT THE TERRORIST BOMB BLAST OCCURRED OVER SCOTLAND, AND, AT
LIBYA'S REQUEST, ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO TRY THE SUSPECTS
IN A COURT IN THE NETHERLANDS WITH A SCOTTISH JUDGE UNDER
SCOTTISH LEGAL RULES. HE POINTED OUT THAT A UNITED NATIONS
COMMITTEE HAS OBSERVED SCOTTISH COURTS IN ACTION AS WELL AS THE
PRISON ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE MEN, IF THEY ARE CONVICTED.
SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT WAS BLUNTER.
/// ALBRIGHT ACT ///
THERE IS NOTHING MORE TO NEGOTIATE. LIBYA SHOULD ACCEPT ITS OWN
PROPOSAL AND DELIVER THE FUGITIVES FOR TRIAL. AND MANY OF YOU
ENCOURAGED ALL OF US IN THE UNITED STATES AND THE UNITED KINGDOM
TO ACCEPT THE PROPOSAL. AND NOW, FRANKLY, IT IS TIME FOR ALL OF
YOU TO ENCOURAGE LIBYA TO ACCEPT, TO BE ABLE TO SAY, YES.
/// END ACT ///
MOST OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL SESSION WAS A DISCUSSION OF THE
DANGEROUS DISPUTES AND CONFLICTS THAT CONTINUE TO RAVAGE AFRICA
-- FROM LIBERIA TO ETHIOPIA AND ERITREA AND ANGOLA. BUT MOST
SPEAKERS, INCLUDING SECRETARY ALBRIGHT HAD PRAISE FOR NIGERIAN
GENERAL ABDULSALAMI ABUBAKAR FOR TAKING STEPS AIMED AT RESTORING
DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS. (SIGNED)
NEB/MGB/WDC/KL
24-Sep-98 5:24 PM EDT (2124 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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