DATE=5/4/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CONGRESS / LIBYA (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-261991
BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Members of the U-S Congress say they will not
tolerate any attempts by the Clinton administration to
soften U-S policy towards Libya. V-O-A's Paula
Wolfson reports the stern warnings were directed at
the U-S State Department.
TEXT: The atmosphere was tense in a Senate hearing
room when a top State Department official testified
about Libya.
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Near East Affairs
Ronald Neumann was hit with a barrage of questions
from angry and frustrated Senators.
The Chairman of the Subcommittee on Near Eastern and
South Asian affairs set the tone for the hearing in
his opening comments. Kansas Republican Sam
Brownback says he fears the Clinton administration is
making positive overtures to Tripoli.
///Brownback act///
Unfortunately, rather than the icy cold
hostility which I would have expected from the
U-S government towards Libya at this point in
time, I have perceived a slow warming.
///end act///
Mr. Neumann said there has been no change in U-S
policy. He said Libya has taken a few positive steps
-- most notably by sending the two suspects in the Pan
Am 103 bombing to the Netherlands for trial. But he
stressed much more is needed.
///Neumann act///
Libya should comply with the U-N Security
Council resolutions including the payment of
appropriate compensation, acceptance of
responsibility for the actions of its officials,
renunciation of, and an end to, support for
terrorism, and cooperation with the Pan Am 103
trial and investigation.
///end act///
The Deputy Assistant Secretary of State said there has
been no deal with Libya that would restrict
prosecutors in the case. He also downplayed a recent
visit to Libya by a State Department team sent to
review a travel ban imposed in 1981. He said the ban
is the result of U-S law designed to ensure the safety
of Americans abroad.
///Neumann act///
Because of the nature of the statute, we did not
consider it as part of the sanctions regime.
It's not. We don't consider it as a political
symbol.
///end act///
The Senate recently passed a resolution that stresses
support for the travel ban. The State Department is
still studying the recommendations of the team sent to
Libya about a month ago. (SIGNED)
NEB/PW/KBK
04-May-2000 12:28 PM EDT (04-May-2000 1628 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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