DATE=2/17/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-245653
TITLE=U-N / LIBYA LETTER (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN SENT A LETTER
TO LIBYA TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AIMED AT SECURING AN AGREEMENT FOR THE
TRIAL OF TWO SUSPECTS IN THE 1988 BOMBING OF A U-S AIRLINER OVER 
SCOTLAND.  V-O-A CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM OUR UNITED
NATION BUREAU.

TEXT:  U-N OFFICIALS SAY THE LETTER CONTAINS CLARIFICATIONS 
CONCERNING AN AGREEMENT TENTATIVELY REACHED WITH LIBYA LAST YEAR.
UNDER THE AGREEMENT, LIBYA IS TO HAND OVER TWO SUSPECTS IN THE 
1988 BOMBING OF PAN AMERICAN FLIGHT 103 OVER LOCKERBIE, SCOTLAND.
270 PEOPLE WERE KILLED IN THE BOMBING.  THE SUSPECTS WOULD BE 
TRIED IN A SCOTTISH COURT IN THE NETHERLANDS AND, IF FOUND 
GUILTY, SERVE THEIR SENTENCES IN SCOTLAND.  THE U-N SECURITY 
COUNCIL HAS AGREED TO LIFT SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON LIBYA IN 1992 
ONCE THE TWO MEN HAVE BEEN HANDED OVER FOR TRIAL.

U-N OFFICIALS SAY MR. ANNAN PRESENTED A LETTER WITH 
CLARIFICATIONS CONCERNING THE AGREEMENT TO LIBYA'S AMBASSADOR TO 
THE UNITED NATIONS.  THEY SAY IT IS NOW UP TO LIBYA TO RESPOND BY
SAYING WHEN IT WILL TRANSFER THE TWO MEN TO THE NETHERLANDS.

FINAL AGREEMENT ON THE TRANSFER OF THE TWO MEN HAS BEEN HELD UP 
FOR SEVERAL MONTHS BY A DISAGREEMENT OVER WHERE THEY WOULD SERVE 
THEIR SENTENCES, IF FOUND GUILTY.  BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES 
HAVE SAID ANY SENTENCES MUST BE SERVED IN SCOTLAND.  LIBYA HAS 
OPPOSED THAT REQUIREMENT.  BUT DIPLOMATS SAY LIBYA RECENTLY 
DROPPED ITS OPPOSITION FOLLOWING ASSURANCES THAT THE TWO MEN, IF 
IMPRISONED IN SCOTLAND, WOULD NOT FACE INTERROGATION.

DIPLOMATS SAY THE UNITED NATIONS HAS ALSO ASSURED LIBYA THAT THE 
TRIAL WILL FOCUS ON THE GUILT OR INNOCENCE OF THE TWO SUSPECTS 
AND NOT BE USED AS A TOOL AGAINST THE LIBYAN GOVERNMENT.

U-N OFFICIALS SAY THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW LONG LIBYA WILL TAKE 
BEFORE RESPONDING TO MR. ANNAN'S LETTER.  U-S OFFICIALS HAVE SAID
THEY WILL PRESS FOR FURTHER SANCTIONS AGAINST LIBYA IF THE 
LOCKERBIE ISSUE IS NOT RESOLVED BY THE END OF THIS MONTH.  
(SIGNED)

NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/PT

17-Feb-99 4:33 PM EST (2133 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.