DATE=  10/30/97

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-221966

TITLE=ANNAN / LOCKERBIE (S-ONLY)

BYLINE=ELAINE JOHANSON

DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:



INTRO:  U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN SAYS HE PLANS TO ACCEPT

A BRITISH INVITATION TO SEND TWO REPRESENTATIVES TO SCOTLAND TO

PREPARE FOR A POSSIBLE TRIAL OF LIBYAN SUSPECTS IN THE 1988

BOMBING OF AN AMERICAN AIRLINER OVER LOCKERBIE.  SIMILAR

INVITATIONS WERE SENT TO THE ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN UNITY AND

THE ARAB LEAGUE.  V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS.



TEXT:  THE U-N REPRESENTATIVES WOULD VISIT SCOTTISH PRISONS AND

COURT FACILITIES AND MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL

OBSERVERS TO ATTEND THE TRIAL.  BRITAIN EXTENDED THE INVITATIONS

BECAUSE LIBYA HAD INSINUATED THAT ITS NATIONALS COULD NOT GET A

FAIR TRIAL IN SCOTLAND.



BRITAIN CALLED THE CHARGE LUDICROUS AND CHALLENGED THE SKEPTICS

TO COME AND SEE FOR THEMSELVES HOW BRITISH JUSTICE WORKS.



THE EXERCISE MAY PROVE FUTILE.  THE ARAB LEAGUE HAS TURNED DOWN

THE OFFER, SAYING THERE WOULD BE NO POINT TO IT.  THE LEAGUE

CONTINUES TO SUPPORT LIBYA'S PROPOSAL TO HOLD THE TRIAL IN WHAT

IT WOULD CONSIDER A NEUTRAL COUNTRY.



BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES -- SUPPORTED BY THE U-N SECURITY

COUNCIL -- HAVE DEMANDED THE BOMBING SUSPECTS BE PROSECUTED IN

EITHER AN AMERICAN OR BRITISH COURT. (SIGNED)



NEB/EJ/RRM



30-Oct-97 5:04 PM EST (2204 UTC)

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Source: Voice of America

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