DATE=12/21/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243379
TITLE=U-N / LIBYA TRIAL (L)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN SAY (MONDAY) THEY WILL SEEK
ADDITIONAL SANCTIONS AGAINST LIBYA IF THAT COUNTRY DOES NOT HAND
OVER TWO ALLEGED TERRORISTS TO THE NETHERLANDS FOR TRIAL.
V-O-A'S UNITED NATIONS CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS.
TEXT: THE U-S AND BRITISH AMBASSADORS SAY THEY WILL SEEK THE
ADDITIONAL SANCTIONS IN FEBRUARY IF LIBYA DOES NOT HAND OVER THE
TWO MEN ACCUSED OF BOMBING PANAM FLIGHT ONE-ZERO-THREE OVER
LOCKERBIE, SCOTLAND. THE WARNING CAME ON THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF
THE BOMBING, WHICH KILLED 270 PEOPLE.
U-S AMBASSADOR PETER BURLEIGH:
/// BURLEIGH ACT ///
THERE WILL BE A SANCTIONS REVIEW, A NORMALLY SCHEDULED
SANCTIONS REVIEW, IN FEBRUARY, AND MY GOVERNMENT, IF
THERE IS NOT A POSITIVE RESOLUTION OF THE ISSUE BY THAT
TIME, IN THE SENSE OF THE TWO ACCUSED HAVING BEEN
DELIVERED TO THE NETHERLANDS, WE WILL ASK THE COUNCIL TO
LOOK INTO FURTHER MEASURES TO BE TAKEN.
/// END ACT ///
LIBYA HAS AGREED IN PRINCIPLE TO HAND OVER THE TWO MEN FOR TRIAL
IN A SCOTTISH COURT IN THE NETHERLANDS. BUT IT HAS NOT DONE SO,
CLAIMING A NUMBER OF LEGAL ISSUES REMAIN TO BE RESOLVED. THE
MAIN POINT OF DISPUTE IS WHERE THE TWO MEN WILL SERVE THEIR
SENTENCES IF FOUND GUILTY. LIBYA IS OBJECTING TO THE DEMAND BY
BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES THAT THEY SERVE THEIR SENTENCES IN
SCOTLAND.
MR. BURLEIGH SAYS THE SECURITY COUNCIL HAS ANSWERED ALL QUESTIONS
ON THE ISSUE PUT FORWARD BY LIBYA. HE SAYS PATIENCE IS RUNNING
OUT AND THE WORLD COMMUNITY CANNOT WAIT FOREVER FOR LIBYAN
AUTHORITIES TO REACH A CONCLUSION ON THE ISSUE.
U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN ON MONDAY ALSO APPEARED TO BE
DISAPPOINTED BY LIBYA'S FAILURE TO HAND OVER THE SUSPECTS. HE
WAS ASKED WHAT MESSAGE HE HAD FOR THE FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS OF
THAT BOMBING.
/// ANNAN ACT ///
MY MESSAGE TO THEM IS THAT IT IS REGRETTABLE THAT 10
YEARS AFTER THE EVENT, WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET TO
THE TRUTH SO THAT THEY CAN PUT THIS BEHIND THEM, MOURN
THEIR DEAD AND CARRY ON WITH THEIR LIVES. BUT I AM
STILL HOPEFUL THAT WE WILL STILL GET A POSITIVE DECISION
FROM THE LIBYAN GOVERNMENT.
/// END ACT ///
MR. ANNAN HAS PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN TRYING TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE
WITH LIBYA. HE TRAVELED TO LIBYA THREE WEEKS AGO FOR TALKS ON
THE ISSUE. ON MONDAY, HE SAID HE HAS NOT LOST HOPE THAT LIBYA
WILL EVENTUALLY AGREE TO HAND OVER THE TWO MEN FOR TRIAL.
(SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/PT
21-Dec-98 3:33 PM EST (2033 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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