DATE=4/5/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-247653
TITLE=LOCKERBIE SUSPECTS (L)
BYLINE=LAUREN COMITEAU
DATELINE=ROTTERDAM
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: TWO LIBYANS WHO HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH THE 1998 BOMBING OF
THE AMERICAN JUMBO JET OVER LOCKERBIE, SCOTLAND HAVE ARRIVED IN
THE NETHERLANDS WHERE THEY WILL STAND TRIAL BEFORE A SPECIALLY
CONVENED SCOTTISH COURT. THEY ARE NOW IN THE CUSTODY OF DUTCH
POLICE AS BRITAIN SEEKS THEIR EXTRADITION. LORRAINE COMITEAU
HAS MORE FROM ROTTERDAM AIRPORT.
TEXT: THE TWO LIBYAN SUSPECTS LANDED AT A DUTCH MILITARY BASE AT
3:45 P.M. LOCAL TIME. THEY WERE EACH ACCOMPANIED BY A BROTHER
AND A LIBYAN LAWYER.
U-N CHIEF LEGAL COUNSEL, HEINZ CORRELL, WAS ALSO ABOARD, MAKING
SURE THE SUSPECTS GOT HERE SAFELY. AFTER MONTHS OF DIPLOMATIC
NEGOTIATIONS, MR. CORRELL CALLED THEIR ARRIVAL IN NETHERLANDS AN
EXTRAORDINARY ACHIEVEMENT. THE TRANSFER, HE SAID, TOOK PLACE IN
A DIGNIFIED MANNER. AND HE HOPED THE TRIAL WOULD PROCEED IN THE
SAME WAY.
/// CORREL ACT ///
AND WITH DUE RESPECT TO THE COURT WHICH IS NOW ABOUT TO
TRY TWO PERSONS WHO HAVE, AT THIS STAGE, UNDER
INTERNATIONAL LAW HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE PRESUMED
INNOCENT.
/// END ACT ///
THE SUSPECTS WILL BE TRIED AT A FORMER U-S MILITARY BASE HERE
THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED SCOTTISH TERRITORY FOR THE DURATION OF THE
LEGAL PROCEEDING. IN A BIZARRE LEGAL MANEUVER, THAT MEANS THE
MEN MUST BE FORMALLY EXTRADITED TO BRITAIN. A DUTCH JUDGE WAS AT
THE AIR BASE TO PRESIDE OVER THAT PROCESS WHICH COULD TAKE
ANYWHERE FROM A FEW HOURS TO MONTHS. (SIGNED)
NEB/LC/PW-T/WFR
05-Apr-99 4:09 PM EDT (2009 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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