DATE=11/25/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-242157
TITLE=U-N / LIBYA TRIAL (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN SAYS HE IS
CONSIDERING A VISIT TO LIBYA TO RESOLVE A DISPUTE OVER THE TRIAL
OF TWO LIBYANS ACCUSED OF BOMBING A PAN AMERICAN AIRLINER OVER
SCOTLAND IN 1988. V-O-A'S UNITED NATIONS CORRESPONDENT MAX
RUSTON REPORTS.
TEXT: MR. ANNAN SAYS HE IS NOW CONSIDERING WHETHER A VISIT TO
LIBYA WOULD HELP RESOLVE THE OUTSTANDING ISSUES IN THE DISPUTE
OVER THE TWO ALLEGED TERRORISTS. HE SAYS U-N OFFICIALS HAVE HAD
VERY CONSTRUCTIVE DISCUSSIONS WITH LIBYAN LAWYERS AND, HE SAYS,
HE HOPES TO BRING THE ISSUE TO CLOSURE BY THE END OF NOVEMBER.
IF MR. ANNAN VISITS LIBYA, HE WOULD DO SO DURING A VISIT TO NORTH
AFRICA SCHEDULED TO START NEXT WEEK.
THE TWO LIBYAN MEN AT THE CENTER OF THE DISPUTE ARE ALLEGED TO
HAVE BOMBED PAN AM FLIGHT ONE-OH-THREE (103) OVER LOCKERBIE,
SCOTLAND IN 1988, KILLING ALL 259 PEOPLE ON BOARD AND 11 PEOPLE
ON THE GROUND.
LIBYA HAS REFUSED EXTRADITION REQUESTS FROM BRITAIN AND THE
UNITED STATES, WHERE THE TWO MEN HAVE BEEN INDICTED, AND HAS
FACED INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS AS A RESULT. BUT LIBYA HAS AGREED
IN PRINCIPLE THAT THE TWO MEN BE TRIED BEFORE A SCOTTISH COURT,
UNDER SCOTTISH LAW, IN A THIRD COUNTRY.
THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL HAS MADE ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH A TRIAL
TO TAKE PLACE IN THE NETHERLANDS, AND FOR SANCTIONS AGAINST LIBYA
TO BE LIFTED AS SOON AS THE TWO MEN ARE DELIVERED TO THAT
COUNTRY.
LIBYA HAS RAISED A SERIES OF OBJECTIONS. IT HAS REQUESTED
GUARANTEES THE MEN WILL BE ALLOWED VISITORS AND THAT THEIR
RELIGIOUS RIGHTS WILL BE PROTECTED. IT HAS OBJECTED MOST
STRONGLY TO BRITAIN'S INSISTENCE THAT THE TWO MEN, IF CONVICTED,
SERVE THEIR SENTENCES IN SCOTLAND. BRITISH DIPLOMATS SAY THEY
WILL NOT COMPROMISE ON THAT ISSUE.
ACTING U-S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS PETER BURLEIGH SAYS
HE WOULD WELCOME A VISIT BY MR. ANNAN TO LIBYA, IF IT HELPS
SECURE AN AGREEMENT ON A TRIAL.
/// BURLEIGH ACT ///
IF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL FEELS HE CAN BE USEFUL AND PLAY
A POSITIVE ROLE ... HE HAS BEEN PLAYING SUCH A POSITIVE
ROLE, HE AND HIS LEGAL ADVISOR, FOR THESE MANY WEEKS ...
WE OF COURSE WOULD WELCOME THAT.
/// END ACT ///
DIPLOMATS SAY IF MR. ANNAN CHOOSES NOT TO TRAVEL TO LIBYA FOR
TALKS ON THE ISSUE, HE MAY ARRANGE MEETINGS WITH LIBYAN OFFICIALS
AT THAT COUNTRY'S BORDER WITH TUNISIA. MR. ANNAN HAD TENTATIVELY
PLANNED A MEETING WITH LIBYAN OFFICIALS DURING HIS VISIT TO NORTH
AFRICA EARLIER THIS MONTH. THOSE PLANS WERE CANCELLED WHEN HE
CUT THAT TRIP SHORT TO RETURN TO NEW YORK TO DEAL WITH THE CRISIS
OVER WEAPONS INSPECTIONS IN IRAQ. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/TMD/JO
25-Nov-98 3:32 PM EST (2032 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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