DATE=12/15/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243006
TITLE=LOCKERBIE / LIBYA CONGRESS (L)
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: LIBYA'S GENERAL PEOPLES CONGRESS -- THE NATIONAL
PARLIAMENT -- HAS VOICED SUPPORT FOR THE PLAN TO BRING TO TRIAL
TWO LIBYANS SUSPECTED OF MASTERMINDING THE LOCKERBIE AIRPLANE
BOMBING 10 YEARS AGO. BUT V-O-A MIDDLE EAST CORRESPONDENT SCOTT
BOBB REPORTS, THE CONGRESS ALSO NOTES THERE ARE ISSUES YET TO BE
RESOLVED.
TEXT: THE LIBYAN PEOPLE'S CONGRESS SAYS IT IS SATISFIED WITH THE
AGREEMENT WITH THE BRITISH AND U-S GOVERNMENUS TO TRY THE TWO
LIBYAN SUSPECTS IN THE NETHERLANDS, A NEUTRAL COUNTRY IN THE
DISPUTE.
IN A STATEMENT BROADCAST TUESDAY ON LIBYAN TELEVISION, THE
CONGRESS SAID IT BELIEVES THE AGREEMENT CONSTITUTES THE
FUNDAMENTAL BASIS FOR SETTLING THE ISSUE. IT URGED THE THREE
GOVERNMENTS TO REMOVE ANY REMAINING OBSTACLES. THE REFERENCE IS
TO LIBYAN DEMANDS FOR GUARANTEES THAT HAVE YET TO BE AGREED UPON.
OBSERVERS SAY THIS INDICATES MORE NEGOTIATIONS MAY BE NECESSARY.
U-N SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN LAST MONTH WENT TO LIBYA AND MET
LIBYAN LEADER MUAMMAR GADDAFI IN AN EFFORT TO BREAK THE STALEMATE
OVER THE LOCKERBIE TRIAL. THE ATTACK ON AN AMERICAN PASSENGER
PLANE OVER LOCKERBIE, SCOTLAND, IN 1988 KILLED 270 PEOPLE.
TWO LIBYANS BELIEVED TO BE SECURITY OFFICERS WERE SUBSEQUENTLY
CHARGED WITH PLANNING THE ATTACK. BUT LIBYA REFUSED TO SURRENDER
THEM, LEADING TO INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS, INCLUDING A BAN ON AIR
TRAVEL TO THE COUNTRY.
DURING MR. ANNAN'S VISIT, THE LIBYAN NEWS AGENCY SAID ONLY THAT
THE PEOPLE'S CONGRESS HAS THE POWER TO AUTHORIZE THEIR SURRENDER.
/// REST OPT ///
THE RESOLUTION BY THE LIBYAN CONGRESS ALSO CONDEMNED THE AIR
ATTACKS BY U-S PLANES AGAINST THE LIBYAN CITIES OF TRIPOLI AND
BENGHAZI IN 1986. ANALYSTS HAVE SPECULATED THE LOCKERBIE BOMBING
WAS IN RETALIATION FOR THESE ATTACKS. THE U-S BOMBINGS WERE IN
RETALIATION FOR A TERRORIST ATTACK AT A DISCO IN GERMANY IN WHICH
A NUMBER OF U-S SOLDIERS WERE KILLED.
THE LIBYAN CONGRESS EXPRESSED REGRET OVER WHAT IT CALLED THE
ADOPTION OF TERRORISM AS A TOOL OF INTERNATIONAL POLICY AND THE
FACT THAT THE KILLING OF CHILDREN NOW GOES UNPUNISHED BY THE
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. (SIGNED)
NEB/SB/JWH
15-Dec-98 9:18 AM EST (1418 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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