06 February 2004
U.S., Libya Conclude First Round of "Positive" Bilateral Discussions in London
Libyan implementation of WMD, terrorism commitments opens door to better U.S. ties
The United States and Libya concluded a beginning round of "very positive and thorough" political discussions in London about the future of their relations.
According to a press statement released February 6 by the U.S. Embassy in London, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs William Burns, the U.S. delegation leader, said that Libya has made "excellent progress" in implementing its decision to eliminate weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and Missile Technology Control Regime-class (MTCR) missile programs. Burns also reiterated the importance of Libya's continued adherence to its United Nations obligations stemming from the 1988 Pan Am 103 terrorist attack over Lockerbie, Scotland.
"Progress by Libya on these crucial matters has opened the door to better relations with the United States," said the press statement.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed ways of increasing contacts to promote greater mutual understanding, including the possibility of allowing Americans to travel to Libya, having U.S. medical personnel address disease prevention, and allowing Libyan educational specialists to visit the United States to explore future educational exchanges.
The two delegations agreed to consider ways in which the United States could support Libyan economic modernization and reforms, and discussed the possibility of "assigning a small number of personnel to each other's capitals given the absence of functioning embassies," according to the press statement.
The press statement added that many issues remain to be addressed before a more normal bilateral relationship can be re-established, and that progress is dependent upon Libya's "continued, good faith implementation" of its public commitments concerning WMD, missiles and terrorism.
Following is the text of the press statement:
(begin text)
Press Statement on U.S.-Libya Meeting
February 6, 2004
U.S. Embassy London
Assistant Secretary of State William Burns led a U.S. delegation that met today in London with representatives of the Libyan government to begin a political dialogue about the future of U.S.-Libyan relations. This round of discussions was very positive and thorough, and followed a similarly positive three-way meeting earlier in the day which included British officials.
Assistant Secretary Burns noted the excellent progress that Libya is making to implement its decision to eliminate its WMD and MTCR-class missile programs. He reiterated the commitment of the United States, working with the United Kingdom and relevant international organizations, to assist Libya in the rapid completion of this complex effort. He also reiterated the importance of continued Libyan adherence to the commitments on terrorism that Libya made to the United Nations in addressing its PA-103 obligations.
Progress by Libya on these crucial matters has opened the door to better relations with the United States. In the words of President Bush, "as the Libyan government takes these essential steps and demonstrates its seriousness, its good faith will be returned." In this context, the U.S. and Libyan delegations today reviewed the recent successful visits by members of the U.S. Congress to Libya. They discussed additional ways to increase contacts between their two societies, which can benefit both peoples and help promote greater understanding. This includes the possibility in the near term, assuming continued Libyan progress on its commitments, of measures such as the removal of the restriction on use of U.S. passports for travel to Libya, and authorization for American citizens to engage in transactions related to such travel.
The U.S. delegation also indicated its interest in helping to address Libya's most urgent humanitarian needs. One possibility is a visit in the coming weeks by an American medical and hospital assessment team, which could focus on such issues as disease prevention. Another possibility is a visit by a team of Libyan educational specialists to the United States to explore future educational exchanges. The two sides also agreed to consider ways in which the United States might support Libyan efforts at economic modernization and other reforms. To support this range of activities, as well as continued U.S. assistance to Libya in dismantling its WMD and MTCR-class missile programs, the two delegations also discussed the possibility of assigning a small number of personnel to each other's capitals given the absence of functioning embassies.
While these are positive developments, the two sides acknowledged that there remain many issues that must be addressed if a more normal relationship is to be re-established. The United States will continue to approach these issues on a careful, step-by-step basis, with progress in the bilateral relationship dependent upon continued, good faith implementation by Libya of its own public commitments on WMD, missiles and terrorism.
The two delegations agreed to continue these discussions regularly in the weeks and months ahead, and to pursue further steps in the mutual interest of the United States and Libya.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
This page printed from: http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2004&m=February&x=20040206163048ESnamfuaK0.7062189&t=usinfo/wf-latest.html
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
