19 December 1997
("We have not forgotten those innocent victims") (350)
Washington -- The White House noted December 19 that "Nine years ago,
on December 21, 1988, a bomb destroyed Pan American Flight 103 over
Lockerbie, Scotland, taking the lives of 270 women, men and children
of more than 20 nationalities.
"We have not forgotten those innocent victims, and our hearts are with
their families, particularly on this day," the statement said.
"One of the most painstaking and professional criminal investigations
in history produced overwhelming evidence of the involvement of two
Libyans in the bombing and led to their indictment," the White House
said. "When they stand trial before a Scottish or American court, they
will have an opportunity the victims never had: to defend themselves,
and they will have the guarantee of a free and fair trial."
Following is the White House text:
(begin text)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
December 19, 1997
STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY
Ninth Anniversary of Pan Am 103 Bombing
Nine years ago, on December 21, 1988, a bomb destroyed Pan American
Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, taking the lives of 270 women,
men and children of more than 20 nationalities. We have not forgotten
those innocent victims, and our hearts are with their families,
particularly on this day.
One of the most painstaking and professional criminal investigations
in history produced overwhelming evidence of the involvement of two
Libyans in the bombing and led to their indictment. When they stand
trial before a Scottish or American court, they will have an
opportunity the victims never had: to defend themselves, and they will
have the guarantee of a free and fair trial.
Time has not diminished our determination to see justice done. The
world cannot simply close the book on any act of state-sponsored
terrorism, no matter how many years have passed. To do so would be to
encourage terrorist states to continue their practice. This is why we
insist on tough bilateral and international sanctions until Libya
demonstrates it is serious in its claim not to support terrorism by
handing over the two suspects for trial in Scotland or the United
States.
(end text)