DATE=2/16/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-245605 *
TITLE=U-N / LIBYA (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  OFFICIALS AT THE UNITED NATIONS ARE WORKING THIS WEEK TO 
FORMALIZE AN AGREEMENT WITH LIBYA THAT COULD RESOLVE THE 
LONGSTANDING DISPUTE OVER THE TRIAL OF SUSPECTS IN THE 1988 
BOMBING OF PAN AMERICAN FLIGHT 103.  V-O-A'S UNITED NATIONS 
CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS.

TEXT:  U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN SAYS HIS OFFICE HAS BEEN 
IN TOUCH WITH THE MAIN PARTIES INVOLVED IN THE LOCKERBIE ISSUE --
LIBYA, BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES.  DIPLOMATS SAY AN AGREEMENT
HAS TENTATIVELY BEEN REACHED FOR LIBYA TO HAND OVER TWO SUSPECTS 
IN THE 1988 AIRLINER BOMBING OVER LOCKERBIE, SCOTLAND, WHICH 
KILLED 270 PEOPLE.  UNDER THE AGREEMENT, THE SUSPECTS WOULD BE 
DELIVERED, UNDER U-N ESCORT, TO A SPECIAL COURT IN THE 
NETHERLANDS FOR TRIAL UNDER SCOTTISH LAW.

IF THE AGREEMENT IS FINALIZED, AND THE MEN ARE DELIVERED TO THE 
NETHERLANDS FOR TRIAL, IT IS EXPECTED TO LEAD TO THE LIFTING OF 
SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON LIBYA IN 1992.

U-N SPOKESMAN FRED ECKHARD SAYS PROGRESS IS BEING MADE.  BUT HE 
IS RELUCTANT TO PROVIDE DETAILS.

                       /// ECKHARD ACT ///

         I THINK THE SERETARY-GENERAL FEELS THAT WE ARE MOVING 
         CLOSER TO A FINAL RESOLUTION AND HE DOES NOT WANT TO DO 
         ANYTHING TO UPSET THE APPLE CART [TENTATIVE AGREEMENT].

                         /// END ACT ///

THE UNITED STATES HAS WARNED THAT IT WILL PRESS FOR ADDITIONAL 
SANCTIONS AGAINST LIBYA IF THE LOCKERBIE ISSUE IS NOT RESOLVED 
BEFORE THE END OF THIS MONTH.

LAST YEAR, LIBYA AGREED IN PRINCIPLE TO A TRIAL IN THE 
NETHERLANDS UNDER SCOTTISH LAW.  BUT IT WOULD NOT AGREE TO 
BRITAIN'S REQUIREMENT THAT THE SUSPECTS, IF FOUND GUILTY, SERVE 
THEIR SENTENCES IN SCOTLAND.

LATE LAST YEAR, MR. ANNAN HELD TALKS ON THE ISSUE WITH LIBYAN 
LEADER MUAMMAR QADHAFI.  MORE RECENTLY SENIOR OFFICIALS FROM 
SAUDI ARABIA AND SOUTH AFRICA HAVE VISITED LIBYA ON MR. ANNAN'S 
BEHALF.

DIPLOMATS SAY LIBYA NOW APPEARS TO HAVE AGREED THAT THE MEN, IF 
FOUND GUILTY, WILL SERVE THEIR SENTENCES IN SCOTLAND.  THEY SAY 
LIBYA HAS BEEN ASSURED THE UNITED NATIONS IS WILLING TO MONITOR 
THE CONDITIONS OF THEIR IMPRISONMENT.  THEY SAY LIBYA HAS ALSO 
BEEN PROMISED THAT PROSECUTORS WILL NOT TRY TO UNDERMINE THE 
LIBYAN GOVERNMENT IN THE TRIAL AND WILL INSTEAD FOCUS ON THE 
GUILT OR INNOCENCE OF THE TWO SUSPECTS.  (SIGNED)

NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/WFR

16-Feb-99 5:17 PM EST (2217 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.