DATE=12/15/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243006
TITLE=LOCKERBIE / LIBYA CONGRESS (L)
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  LIBYA'S GENERAL PEOPLES CONGRESS -- THE NATIONAL 
PARLIAMENT -- HAS VOICED SUPPORT FOR THE PLAN TO BRING TO TRIAL 
TWO LIBYANS SUSPECTED OF MASTERMINDING THE LOCKERBIE AIRPLANE 
BOMBING 10 YEARS AGO.  BUT V-O-A MIDDLE EAST CORRESPONDENT SCOTT 
BOBB REPORTS, THE CONGRESS ALSO NOTES THERE ARE ISSUES YET TO BE 
RESOLVED.

TEXT:  THE LIBYAN PEOPLE'S CONGRESS SAYS IT IS SATISFIED WITH THE
AGREEMENT WITH THE BRITISH AND U-S GOVERNMENUS TO TRY THE TWO 
LIBYAN SUSPECTS IN THE NETHERLANDS, A NEUTRAL COUNTRY IN THE 
DISPUTE.

IN A STATEMENT BROADCAST TUESDAY ON LIBYAN TELEVISION, THE 
CONGRESS SAID IT BELIEVES THE AGREEMENT CONSTITUTES THE 
FUNDAMENTAL BASIS FOR SETTLING THE ISSUE.  IT URGED THE THREE 
GOVERNMENTS TO REMOVE ANY REMAINING OBSTACLES.  THE REFERENCE IS 
TO LIBYAN DEMANDS FOR GUARANTEES THAT HAVE YET TO BE AGREED UPON.
OBSERVERS SAY THIS INDICATES MORE NEGOTIATIONS MAY BE NECESSARY.

U-N SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN LAST MONTH WENT TO LIBYA AND MET
LIBYAN LEADER MUAMMAR GADDAFI IN AN EFFORT TO BREAK THE STALEMATE
OVER THE LOCKERBIE TRIAL.  THE ATTACK ON AN AMERICAN PASSENGER 
PLANE OVER LOCKERBIE, SCOTLAND, IN 1988 KILLED 270 PEOPLE.

TWO LIBYANS BELIEVED TO BE SECURITY OFFICERS WERE SUBSEQUENTLY 
CHARGED WITH PLANNING THE ATTACK.  BUT LIBYA REFUSED TO SURRENDER
THEM, LEADING TO INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS, INCLUDING A BAN ON AIR 
TRAVEL TO THE COUNTRY.

DURING MR. ANNAN'S VISIT, THE LIBYAN NEWS AGENCY SAID ONLY THAT 
THE PEOPLE'S CONGRESS HAS THE POWER TO AUTHORIZE THEIR SURRENDER.

                       ///  REST OPT  ///

THE RESOLUTION BY THE LIBYAN CONGRESS ALSO CONDEMNED THE AIR 
ATTACKS BY U-S PLANES AGAINST THE LIBYAN CITIES OF TRIPOLI AND 
BENGHAZI IN 1986.  ANALYSTS HAVE SPECULATED THE LOCKERBIE BOMBING
WAS IN RETALIATION FOR THESE ATTACKS.  THE U-S BOMBINGS WERE IN 
RETALIATION FOR A TERRORIST ATTACK AT A DISCO IN GERMANY IN WHICH
A NUMBER OF U-S SOLDIERS WERE KILLED.

THE LIBYAN CONGRESS EXPRESSED REGRET OVER WHAT IT CALLED THE 
ADOPTION OF TERRORISM AS A TOOL OF INTERNATIONAL POLICY AND THE 
FACT THAT THE KILLING OF CHILDREN NOW GOES UNPUNISHED BY THE 
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.  (SIGNED)

NEB/SB/JWH

15-Dec-98 9:18 AM EST (1418 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.