DATE=2/28/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-227405
TITLE=LIBYA / LOCKERBIE (S&L)
BYLINE=DOUGLAS ROBERTS
DATELINE=CAIRO 
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO: THE LIBYAN GOVERNMENT IS AGAIN CALLING ON WORLD NATIONS TO
IGNORE THE U-N SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON TRIPOLI FOR ITS REFUSAL TO 
HAND OVER THE SUSPECTS IN THE 1988 BOMBING OF AN AMERICAN 
AIRLINER OVER THE SCOTTISH VILLAGE OF LOCKERBIE.  THE NEW LIBYAN 
DEMAND CAME AFTER THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE IN THE HAGUE
RULED THAT IT DOES HAVE JURISDICTION TO HEAR ARGUMENTS IN THE 
DECADE-LONG DISPUTE BETWEEN TRIPOLI AND THE U-S AND BRITISH 
GOVERNMENTS.  MIDDLE EAST CORRESPONDENT DOUGLAS ROBERTS REPORTS 
FROM CAIRO.

TEXT:  THE LIBYAN FOREIGN MINISTRY CALLS FRIDAY'S RULING BY THE 
WORLD COURT A GREAT VICTORY.

A STATEMENT BROADCAST OVER TRIPOLI RADIO SAYS THE WORLD COURT HAS
DEMONSTRATED WHAT IT DESCRIBES AS THE LEGITIMACY OF THE LIBYAN 
POSITION WHILE AT THE SAME TIME UNDERSCORING THAT THE U-S AND 
BRITISH POSITIONS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW.

THE WORLD COURT JUDGES HAVE YET TO RULE ON LIBYA'S COMPLAINT 
ABOUT THE U-N SANCTIONS IMPOSED SIX YEARS AGO.  BUT THE STATEMENT
FROM TRIPOLI SAYS THE COURT'S DECISION TO HEAR ARGUMENTS IN THE 
CASE DEMONSTRATES THAT THE SANCTIONS ARE ILLEGITIMATE.  IT SAYS 
NATIONS SHOULD NO LONGER FEEL OBLIGED TO COMPLY WITH THE EMBARGO.

                  ///REMAINDER OPT///

THE SANCTIONS INCLUDE A BAN ON AIR TRAVEL TO AND FROM LIBYA, AS 
WELL AS  RESTRICTIONS ON LIBYAN DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATION ABROAD 
AND A BAN ON ARMS SALES TO THE TRIPOLI GOVERNMENT.

THE MEASURES WERE APPROVED BY THE SECURITY COUNCIL IN 1992, AT 
THE URGING OF THE U-S AND BRITISH GOVERNMENTS.

WASHINGTON AND LONDON HAVE LONG DEMANDED THAT TRIPOLI HAND OVER 
THE TWO LIBYAN INTELLIGENCE AGENTS ACCUSED OF PLANTING THE BOMB 
ON PAN AM FLIGHT 103.

THE MID-AIR EXPLOSION AND CRASH DECEMBER 21ST 1988 KILLED ALL 259
PASSENGERS AND CREW ON BOARD THE AIRLINER, AS WELL AS ELEVEN 
RESIDENTS OF LOCKERBIE.

LIBYA HAS REJECTED ALL DEMANDS FOR THE EXTRADITION OF THE 
SUSPECTS, ARGUING THAT THEY COULD NOT GET A FAIR TRIAL IN EITHER 
A BRITISH OR U-S COURT.

TRIPOLI MAINTAINS IT HAS THE AUTHORITY TO TRY THE TWO MEN IN 
LIBYA, UNDER THE TERMS OF A 1971 CONVENTION ON CIVIL AVIATION.  
BUT LIBYA HAS ALSO OFFERED TO STAGE THE TRIAL IN WHAT IT 
DESCRIBES AS A NEUTRAL COUNTRY.

THAT PROPOSAL HAS BEEN REJECTED BY BOTH WASHINGTON AND LONDON, 
BUT IT HAS WON LIBYA SOME DIPLOMATIC BACKING ESPECIALLY IN THIRD 
WORLD NATIONS.

THE ARAB LEAGUE AND THE ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN UNITY HAVE 
ADOPTED RESOLUTIONS PRAISING WHAT THEY CALL THE LIBYAN 
GOVERNMENT'S FLEXIBILITY IN THE DISPUTE.  AND BOTH ORGANIZATIONS 
ALSO MAINTAIN THE U-N SANCTIONS SHOULD BE LIFTED. (SIGNED) 

NEB/DBR/DW

28-Feb-98 8:08 AM EST (1308 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.