DATE=4/5/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-247648
TITLE=U-N / ANNAN / LOCKERBIE (L )
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN SAYS HE IS
RELIEVED BY NEWS THAT LIBYA TODAY (MONDAY) ALLOWED THE
EXTRADITION OF TWO OF ITS NATIONALS ACCUSED OF BOMBING A U-S
AIRLINER OVER LOCKERBIE, SCOTLAND IN 1988. MORE FROM OUR U-N
CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON.
TEXT: MR. ANNAN SAYS LIBYA'S DECISION TO HAND OVER THE TWO MEN
FOR TRIAL IN THE NETHERLANDS MARKS A VITAL STEP FORWARD IN A LONG
ORDEAL. THE NEXT STEP, HE SAYS, IS FOR THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL
TO KEEP ITS PLEDGE TO SUSPEND SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON LIBYA AS A
RESULT OF THE BOMBING.
/// ANNAN ACT ///
I WILL SHORTLY BE SUBMITTING A REPORT TO THE PRESIDENT
OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL CONFIRMING THE TWO HAVE ARRIVED
IN THE NETHERLANDS AND ARE IN THE HANDS OF THE
NETHERLANDS AUTHORITIES. THE COUNCIL WILL THEN ACT TO
SUSPEND THE SANCTIONS IMMEDIATELY.
/// END ACT ///
MR. ANNAN SAYS HE WILL NOW BEGIN PREPARING A DETAILED REPORT ON
WHETHER THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT LIBYA IS NOW INVOLVED IN TERRORIST
ACTIVITIES. HE IS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT THAT REPORT TO THE SECURITY
COUNCIL WITHIN 90 DAYS. DIPLOMATS SAY THE REPORT IS EXPECTED TO
BE POSITIVE, AND LEAD TO THE COMPLETE LIFTING OF SANCTIONS ON
LIBYA. MR. ANNAN'S REPORT TO THE COUNCIL IS ALSO EXPECTED TO
DEAL WITH ISSUES CONCERNING COMPENSATION FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE
LOCKERBIE BOMBING.
UNDER A U-N-BROKERED AGREEMENT, THE TWO LIBYAN NATIONALS WILL
FACE TRIAL IN A SCOTTISH COURT IN THE NETHERLANDS, WITH
INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS. IF FOUND GUILTY, THEY WILL SERVE THEIR
SENTENCES IN SCOTLAND.
/// REST OPT ///
270 PEOPLE DIED IN THE LOCKERBIE BOMBING. SOME OF THE VICTIMS'
RELATIVES REMAIN OPPOSED TO THE LIFTING OF SANCTIONS AGAINST
LIBYA.
U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN SAYS HE BELIEVES SANCTIONS DID
PLAY A ROLE IN PRESSURING LIBYA TO HAND OVER THE TWO SUSPECTS.
BUT HE SAYS IT IS NOW TIME FOR LIBYA TO RESUME NORMAL RELATIONS
WITH THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.
/// ANNAN ACT ///
I THINK APART FROM LIVING WITH THE SANCTIONS FOR SEVEN
YEARS, NO COUNTRY LIKES TO BE TREATED AS AN OUTCAST, AS
OUTSIDE THE SOCIETY OF NATIONS TO SOME EXTENT. WHEN ONE
IS BRANDED AND SANCTIONS ARE IMPOSED, ONE IS MARKED BY
THAT KIND OF THING. AND I THINK LIBYA WANTED TO GET
BACK TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. LIBYA WANTED TO
GET ON WITH THIS ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND
LIBYA WANTED TO BE ABLE TO DEAL FREELY WITH ITS
NEIGHBORS AND THE REST OF THE WORLD. SO I AM GRATIFIED
THAT WE ARE THERE. AND THAT IS WHY I SAID I HOPE THEY
WILL NOW REJOIN FULLY THE COMMUNITY OF NATIONS AND PLAY
THEIR ROLE IN IT.
/// END ACT ///
MR. ANNAN SAYS SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA AND SAUDI
ARABIA'S KING FAHD PLAYED KEY ROLES IN ASSISTING IN NEGOTIATIONS
WITH LIBYA. HE SAYS ITALY'S SUPPORT WAS ALSO CRUCIAL, AS IT
PROVIDED THE AIRPLANE ON WHICH THE TWO SUSPECTS WERE TRANSPORTED
FROM LIBYA TO THE NETHERLANDS. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/JO
05-Apr-99 12:58 PM EDT (1658 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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