DATE=8/26/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-237699
TITLE=U-N / LIBYA LOCKERBIE RESPONSE (L)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  LIBYA SAYS IT NEEDS MORE TIME TO CONSIDER A PROPOSAL IT 
HAND OVER TO THE NETHERLANDS TWO LIBYANS ACCUSED OF BOMBING A U-S
AIRLINER OVER SCOTLAND IN 1988.  U-N CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON 
REPORTS.

TEXT:  IN A LETTER TO THE THE PRESIDENT OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL, 
LIBYA SAYS ITS JUDICIAL AUTHORITIES NEED TIME TO STUDY THE 
PROPOSAL, WHICH WAS INCLUDED IN A DRAFT RESOLUTION SUBMITTED TO 
THE COUNCIL TUESDAY.  

THE DRAFT RESOLUTION SAYS SANCTIONS AGAINST LIBYA WILL BE LIFTED 
IF, AMONG OTHER THINGS, LIBYA HANDS OVER TO THE NETHERLANDS TWO 
MEN ACCUSED OF BOMBING A PAN AMERICAN AIRLINER OVER SCOTLAND 
10-YEARS AGO.  THE TWO MEN WOULD BE TRIED UNDER SCOTTISH LAW.

LIBYA IS ASKING THE SECURITY COUNCIL TO POSTPONE ITS DECISION ON 
THE DRAFT RESOLUTION UNTIL LIBYAN AUTHORITIES HAVE COMPLETED 
THEIR STUDY OF THE DOCUMENTS.  THE LETTER SAYS LIBYA IS ANXIOUS 
TO ARRIVE AT A SETTLEMENT OF THE DISPUTE, BUT DOES NOT SPECIFY 
HOW MUCH TIME IS NEEDED OR WHETHER IT IS LIKELY TO AGREE TO THE 
TERMS OF THE PROPOSAL.

DIPLOMATS SAY LIBYA'S REQUEST COULD RESULT IN A SIGNIFICANT 
DELAY, AS LIBYA NOTES IT TOOK SEVERAL MONTHS FOR BRITAIN AND THE 
UNITED STATES TO PREPARE THE DRAFT RESOLUTION.

U-S OFFICIALS SAY THE DRAFT RESOLUTION IS IN LINE WITH LIBYAN 
PROPOSALS ON THE ISSUE.  LIBYA HAS REFUSED TO HAND THE TWO 
SUSPECTS OVER TO THE UNITED STATES OR SCOTLAND FOR TRIAL.  IT HAS
SAID IT WILL AGREE TO A TRIAL IN A NEUTRAL COUNTRY.

THE PROPOSAL FROM BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES FOLLOWS INCREASED
CALLS FROM LIBYA FOR THE LIFTING OF SANCTIONS IMPOSED IN 1992.  
U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN HAS BEEN WORKING TO ACHIEVE A 
COMPROMISE SETTLEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTRIES INVOLVED IN THE 
DISPUTE.

U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY WILL CONSIDER CALLING FOR AN EXPANSION OF 
SANCTIONS AGAINST LIBYA IF IT DOES NOT AGREE TO THE TERMS OF THE 
DRAFT RESOLUTION.   (SIGNED)

NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/RAE

26-Aug-98 12:25 PM EDT (1625 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.