20 March 1998
(UN sanctions are not hurting Libyan civilians) (1580) United Nations -- US Ambassador to the UN Bill Richardson says Libya's claims that economic sanctions are hurting Libyan civilians are "false." Addressing the UN Security Council March 20, Richardson said UN actions against Libya "are targeted sanctions, imposed to address aspects of Libyan involvement in international terrorism, but specifically designed to prevent suffering among the Libyan people." He pointed out that Libya is the wealthiest country in Africa on a per capita basis, that immunization of its children is over 90 percent, that its child mortality is declining, and Libya is importing more medical instruments now than it did before sanctions were imposed. The Council conducted a day-long debate at the request of Libya on the sanctions, which were imposed after that country refused to extradite two Libyans suspected of planning and executing the December, 1988, bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, and a French UTA flight over Africa. The debate, however, will not affect the sanctions regime. During a periodic sanctions review on March 6 the Council decided that the sanctions should remain in place. In April, 1992 the Security Council cut air links to Libya. In November, 1993, the Council ordered the freezing of Libyan assets and an embargo on the export to Libya of equipment needed by its oil industry. The sanctions are to remain in place until Libya cooperates with the United Kingdom, the United States and France; agrees to pay compensation, and demonstrates "by concrete actions" that it has definitively ended all terrorist acts and assistance to terrorist groups. "Evidence of Libyan complicity" in the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 and "the subsequent search for justice is at the core of sanctions against Libya," Richardson said. "If Libya truly wants these sanctions lifted, its course of action is clear: Surrender the two suspects so they can receive a fair trial in the appropriate criminal court," the Ambassador said. Following is the US/UN text: (begin text) UNITED STATES MISSION TO THE UNITED NATIONS PRESS RELEASE FOR RELEASE UPON DELIVERY MARCH 20, 1998 Statement by Ambassador Bill Richardson, United States Representative to the United Nations, on Libyan Sanctions, in the Security Council, March 20, 1998 Mr. President, let me first say that it is a great pleasure for the United States to participate in today's special session of the Security Council. It was interesting to listen to the Permanent Representative from Libya. He makes what may seem to be a compelling argument. But, as the great American President John Adams once said, "Facts are stubborn things." The United States welcomes this opportunity to publicly lay out the facts and set the record straight on this case. Mr. President, unfortunately we must begin with the events of nine years ago, this past December, when a terrorist bomb blew Pan Am Flight 103 out of the sky over the town of Lockerbie, Scotland. Two hundred and seventy innocent people from 21 countries, including 189 Americans, were killed that evening. Evidence of Libyan complicity in their untimely deaths and the subsequent search for justice is at the core of the sanctions against Libya and our discussions today. I have listened to Libya and its supporters argue that sanctions are subjecting the Libyan people to widespread humanitarian suffering. I have listened to Libya complain that the mechanisms and procedures currently in place to deal with humanitarian issues are inadequate. I have listened to Libya and its supporters argue that the recent ruling by the International Court of Justice requires that sanctions against Libya be suspended. Simply put, these assertions are false. First, let me address the issue of the recent decision by the International Court of Justice. The rulings in no way question the legality of the Security Council's actions affecting Libya or the merits of the criminal cases against the two accused suspects. The rulings of the Court involved technical, procedural issues. Contrary to the assertions of the Libyan government, the Court is not calling for the review or suspension of Security Council resolutions. The Court has made clear that it was not dealing with the substance or the merits of the case. In 1992, the ICJ specifically rejected this interpretation of its review of Libya's claims. In reality, the Court has simply said that the parties must now argue the legal merits of the case. And while the case is proceeding, Libya must finally adhere to the will of the international community, comply with its obligation pursuant to UN Security Council decisions and turn over the two accused suspects for a fair trial. Let me turn now to the claims of humanitarian suffering in Libya. Today, Libya remains the wealthiest country in Africa on a per capita basis. Immunization coverage for children is over 90 percent. As this chart demonstrates, Libya is importing more medical instruments today than it did prior to the imposition of sanctions. And, a 1996 report on maternal and child health in Libya put forward by the Arab League and the Libyan government states that, "Childhood mortality estimates reflect a steady decline, particularly during the last five years." The fact is UN sanctions against Libya are targeted sanctions, imposed to address aspects of Libyan involvement in international terrorism, but specifically designed to prevent suffering among the Libyan people. These sanctions do not prohibit the importation of food, medicine, or clothing. They do not close Libya's land or sea borders. And, they do not prevent Libya from selling its oil on the open market. In fact, Libyan oil production under sanctions remains steady. The income from this oil has fluctuated with the price of oil, but industry estimates conclude that in 1997, Libya earned nearly $10 billion from the sale of oil. So, if Libya is suffering economically -- it is certainly not because of UN sanctions. The Libyan government has claimed that UN sanctions hinder medical treatment for its people. Once again, the facts tell a different story. The sanctions regime has always permitted exceptions to the air embargo for approved medical evacuation flights. And, as the Chairman of the Sanctions Committee recently stated, procedures for approving these flights work well, with Libyan cooperation, and permit flights to be approved on very short notice, sometimes even within a matter of hours. In fact, the number of approved medical evacuation flights has increased every year since sanctions were imposed. Finally, the Libyan government has repeatedly and erroneously claimed that sanctions prevent Libyan pilgrims from making the Haj to Saudi Arabia. The United States as well as every member of the Security Council has no intention or desire to prevent the Libyan people from fulfilling their religious obligations. For the past three years, we have supported Sanctions Committee approval of direct flights from Libya to Jeddah on third country aircraft for Libyan pilgrims. These flights have enabled all Libyan pilgrims, thousands of Libyans, to fly direct to the Haj, a privilege that few other countries can provide. More Libyans have flown to the Haj since sanctions than at any time before them. Let me also say a few words about the Petrovsky Report, which the Libyan government claim buttresses their allegations of humanitarian suffering. The Petrovsky mission adhered to its mandate, which was simply to listen to Libyan views. It did not agree with, endorse, or confirm the claims of the Libyan government. In fact, the report underlined that Libyan has failed to respond to or take advantage of efforts by the UN to respond to its complaints. Indeed, I would invite my Libyan colleague to read the recent report put out by the Secretary-General evaluating the Scottish legal system. This report concludes, "that the accused would receive a fair trial under the Scottish judicial system. Their rights during the pre-trial, trial and post-trial proceedings would be protected in accordance with international standards. The presence of United Nations and other international observers can be fully and easily accommodated. A trial by jury would not prejudice the accused's right to a free trial." If Libya truly wants these sanctions lifted, its course of action is clear: Surrender the two suspects so they can receive a fair trial in the appropriate criminal court. Regrettably, all the assertions made today by my Libyan colleague simply evade the main issue at hand -- the search for justice. We are not here today because of UN sanctions, and not because of the simply absurd notion that the United States seeks the permanent imposition of sanctions against Libya. We are here today because, six years ago following two of the most extensive criminal investigations ever undertaken, compelling evidence was presented to indicate that Libyan intelligence operatives placed the bombs that destroyed Pan Am flight 103 and UTA flight 772. The international community condemned these horrific acts of terrorism and imposed sanctions upon Libya so that the men responsible would soon be brought to justice. Six years later, we are still waiting. My government does not enjoy this situation. It is not our goal to see Libya reduced to an international pariah. In fact, we look forward to the day when these sanctions can be removed, and Libya is once again a member in good standing of the international community. But that day cannot and will not come until the victims of Pan Am 103 and UTA 772 receive the justice they so richly deserve. Thank you. (end text)