11 March 2004
U.S., Libya Gradually Move Toward Normal Relations
State's Burns tells Congress U.S. policy depends on Libyan performance
The United States and Libya are on a "a path of gradual, step-by-step normalization" provided Libya continues to implement its commitments to eliminate weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and renounce terrorism, says Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs William Burns.
Burns, testifying March 10 before the House of Representatives International Relations Committee, said U.S. policy toward Libya is "performance-driven and will not be steered by artificial deadlines."
He expressed concern over the February 24 statement by Libya's prime minister suggesting that Libya was not responsible for the 1988 Pan Am 103 bombing. The Libyan government retracted the statement a day later.
"[T]he episode underscored the importance of moving deliberately, establishing unambiguous benchmarks, and signaling clearly to the Libyan leadership the paramount importance we attach to fulfillment of its commitments," he said.
Echoing a statement by President Bush, Burns said the decades old hostilities between the U.S. and Libya "do not need to go on forever."
Following is the text of Assistant Secretary Burns' statement:
(begin text)
Statement by Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs
William J. Burns
House International Relations Committee
March 10, 2004
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Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for this opportunity to discuss with you the dramatic developments in our relations with Libya. The process that we have begun with Libya constitutes a major success in our efforts to halt state-sponsored support for international terrorism and the proliferation of the world's most dangerous weapons. Over the last three years, I have worked closely with this Committee to ensure that our message was unified and unequivocal that Libya must repudiate its weapons of mass destruction programs, MTCR-class missiles, and reliance upon terrorism as a foreign policy tool before it could make its way back into the international fold.
After decades of hostility, it is now possible to say that US-Libyan relations are on a path of gradual, step-by-step normalization. This historic development is predicated on Libyan good faith implementation of its December 19 commitment to eliminate its weapons of mass destruction programs, and the missile systems to deliver them, as well as to adhere to its renunciation of terrorism and pledge of cooperation in the war on terrorism. Since December 19, Libya has taken significant and, in some cases, irreversible steps to implement these commitments.
In the space of less than three months, Libya has invited US and UK experts, along with personnel from the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, to assist it in destroying the dangerous legacy of its decades-long effort to obtain and deploy chemical and nuclear weapons, and longer range ballistic missiles. Overall, its cooperation has been excellent. As Assistant Secretary DeSutter will discuss in more detail, Libya's declared nuclear capacity is now effectively dismantled; its chemical munitions have been destroyed; its chemical agents are declared and consolidated, awaiting destruction; and its Scud C missiles have been removed. At the March 8 IAEA Board of Governors meeting, Libya signed the IAEA Additional Protocol and acknowledged its history of non-compliance, setting an example that we hope other nations will follow. More remains to be done, but Libya has already made great strides in voluntarily eliminating its WMD programs.
Libyan actions also have been complemented by unprecedented public renunciations of its support for terrorist groups and opposition to the United States. In a March 2 speech attended by seven members of this House, the Libyan leader recommitted himself publicly to the elimination of all weapons of mass destruction, which he described as a source of insecurity, not security, in today's world. Libya also indicated an interest in playing a more constructive role in Africa at the African Union summit in Sirte, which it hosted at the end of February, declaring definitively that there is no place for WMD on the continent.
As the Committee knows, last fall Libya also addressed the UN Security Council requirements arising out of the bombing of Pan Am 103, including payment of up to $2.7 billion to the families of the victims and submitting a formal, written acceptance of responsibility for the actions of its officials. We were concerned, therefore, when Libya's Prime Minister gave an interview on February 24 that raised doubt about Libya's commitment to its acceptance of responsibility. We believed a retraction was essential and, after we raised this with the most senior levels in Libya, the retraction came just a day later. But the episode underscored the importance of moving deliberately, establishing unambiguous benchmarks, and signaling clearly to the Libyan leadership the paramount importance we attach to its fulfillment of commitments.
Our policy towards Libya has been, and will remain, performance-driven and will not be steered by artificial deadlines. Our ability to keep moving down the path of better relations will be a function of the confidence we develop in the Libyan regime's implementation of its commitment to repudiate its past record of support for terrorism and pursuit of weapons of mass destruction. We also expect Libya to meet its other international commitments, such as respecting the human rights of its citizens. Allowing the recent visit of Amnesty International was a positive step, but it also underscored how much the Libyan government must change its past practices in order to improve its human rights record.
Travel to Libya by members of this Committee and others in Congress offers a very useful opportunity to meet with the Libyan leadership, and to underscore the importance of our principled approach to engaging with Libya. The pace of congressional visits to Libya is evidence of our willingness to respond positively to transformed Libyan policies. Congressional delegations, such as the path-breaking visit by Representative Lantos, also provide us with unparalleled opportunities to impart our values, to reinforce our interest in promoting political and economic reform, and to underline the importance of Libyan progress in these areas for the overall tenor of our bilateral relationship. The message delivered by Representative Weldon and Senator Biden to the 600-plus members of the Libyan People's Congress, exhorting them to unleash the potential of their people through freedom, openness, and democracy, highlights once again the ways in which members of Congress serve as very effective ambassadors for the promotion of the democratic values, which are so important in our own society and offer so much possibility for people around the world.
Later this month, I will continue the political dialogue on the future of US-Libyan relations that I began with representatives of the Libyan government in London on February 6. At that time, I previewed the initial US steps responding to concrete Libyan actions in implementing its WMD, missile, and terrorism commitments, which were announced by the White House on February 26. These steps included revoking the passport restriction, issuing a general travel license, approving executory contracts for American companies with pre-sanctions holdings in Libya, inviting Libya to open an Interest Section in Washington, and exchanging medical and educational delegations. The visit last week by our medical delegation put a human face on American foreign policy for a Libyan public that had been taught to see us as the enemy. The Libyans were generous and forthright hosts; from the information we learned, we hope to develop several humanitarian initiatives in the healthcare sector that will create and expand a network of people-to-people ties between our two countries.
When I next meet with Libyan officials, I will reiterate that progress in our bilateral relationship will depend upon continued, good faith implementation by Libya of its own public commitments on terrorism, WMD, and missiles. I will review the range of remaining sanctions and discuss the conditions under which we can further ease restrictions on trade and investment. With respect to Libya's designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism, I will underscore our need to confirm that Libya has implemented fully a strategic decision to repudiate terrorism as a tool of foreign policy and to break any residual ties it may have to any terrorist organization.
At the same time, I will emphasize that we place the highest importance on Libya fully adhering to its Pan Am 103 commitments, including on terrorism. I have had the honor of working with many of the family members of the victims of Pan Am 103 over the last three years. They have been an inspiration and their unity and determination have helped push Libya out of the terrorism business. The Pan Am 103 families' commitment to justice has sent a strong warning to other states tempted by recourse to terrorism; their unwavering pursuit of justice has helped save innocent lives. In future discussions with Libyan officials, I will continue to emphasize the importance of this issue for improving U.S.-Libyan relations. I will also continue to encourage the Libyans to settle all outstanding terrorism cases involving American citizens.
Our expanding diplomatic engagement with Libya, which includes the presence of US diplomats in Tripoli for the first time since 1980, allows us to sustain a dialogue on other issues, including Africa, where our objective will be to seek constructive Libyan engagement in securing the peace and prosperity of the continent. As we augment our diplomatic personnel and transition from an Interests Section to a Liaison Office, we will be better placed to broaden this agenda and deepen our dialogue.
Mr. Chairman, we are engaged in an unprecedented effort to rebuild a relationship shattered by terrorism and Libya's pursuit of weapons of mass destruction. As the President stated, "old hostilities do not need to go on forever." We will work with the Congress and this Committee to ensure that as Libya takes credible steps to rejoin the international community, we provide appropriate responses that help foster a more peaceful world.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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