DATE=4/5/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-247648
TITLE=U-N / ANNAN / LOCKERBIE (L )
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN SAYS HE IS 
RELIEVED BY NEWS THAT LIBYA TODAY (MONDAY) ALLOWED THE 
EXTRADITION OF TWO OF ITS NATIONALS ACCUSED OF BOMBING A U-S 
AIRLINER OVER LOCKERBIE, SCOTLAND IN 1988.  MORE FROM OUR U-N 
CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON.

TEXT:  MR. ANNAN SAYS LIBYA'S DECISION TO HAND OVER THE TWO MEN 
FOR TRIAL IN THE NETHERLANDS MARKS A VITAL STEP FORWARD IN A LONG
ORDEAL.  THE NEXT STEP, HE SAYS, IS FOR THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL 
TO KEEP ITS PLEDGE TO SUSPEND SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON LIBYA AS A 
RESULT OF THE BOMBING.

                        /// ANNAN ACT ///

         I WILL SHORTLY BE SUBMITTING A REPORT TO THE PRESIDENT 
         OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL CONFIRMING THE TWO HAVE ARRIVED 
         IN THE NETHERLANDS AND ARE IN THE HANDS OF THE 
         NETHERLANDS AUTHORITIES.  THE COUNCIL WILL THEN ACT TO 
         SUSPEND THE SANCTIONS IMMEDIATELY.

                         /// END ACT ///

MR. ANNAN SAYS HE WILL NOW BEGIN PREPARING A DETAILED REPORT ON 
WHETHER THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT LIBYA IS NOW INVOLVED IN TERRORIST
ACTIVITIES.  HE IS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT THAT REPORT TO THE SECURITY
COUNCIL WITHIN 90 DAYS.  DIPLOMATS SAY THE REPORT IS EXPECTED TO 
BE POSITIVE, AND LEAD TO THE COMPLETE LIFTING OF SANCTIONS ON 
LIBYA.  MR. ANNAN'S REPORT TO THE COUNCIL IS ALSO EXPECTED TO 
DEAL WITH ISSUES CONCERNING COMPENSATION FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE 
LOCKERBIE BOMBING.

UNDER A U-N-BROKERED AGREEMENT, THE TWO LIBYAN NATIONALS WILL 
FACE TRIAL IN A SCOTTISH COURT IN THE NETHERLANDS, WITH 
INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS.  IF FOUND GUILTY, THEY WILL SERVE THEIR 
SENTENCES IN SCOTLAND.

                        /// REST OPT ///

270 PEOPLE DIED IN THE LOCKERBIE BOMBING.  SOME OF THE VICTIMS' 
RELATIVES REMAIN OPPOSED TO THE LIFTING OF SANCTIONS AGAINST 
LIBYA.

U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN SAYS HE BELIEVES SANCTIONS DID 
PLAY A ROLE IN PRESSURING LIBYA TO HAND OVER THE TWO SUSPECTS.  
BUT HE SAYS IT IS NOW TIME FOR LIBYA TO RESUME NORMAL RELATIONS 
WITH THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.

                        /// ANNAN ACT ///

         I THINK APART FROM LIVING WITH THE SANCTIONS FOR SEVEN 
         YEARS, NO COUNTRY LIKES TO BE TREATED AS AN OUTCAST, AS 
         OUTSIDE THE SOCIETY OF NATIONS TO SOME EXTENT.  WHEN ONE
         IS BRANDED AND SANCTIONS ARE IMPOSED, ONE IS MARKED BY 
         THAT KIND OF THING.  AND I THINK LIBYA WANTED TO GET 
         BACK TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.  LIBYA WANTED TO 
         GET ON WITH THIS ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND 
         LIBYA WANTED TO BE ABLE TO DEAL FREELY WITH ITS 
         NEIGHBORS AND THE REST OF THE WORLD.  SO I AM GRATIFIED 
         THAT WE ARE THERE.  AND THAT IS WHY I SAID I HOPE THEY 
         WILL NOW REJOIN FULLY THE COMMUNITY OF NATIONS AND PLAY 
         THEIR ROLE IN IT.

                         /// END ACT ///

MR. ANNAN SAYS SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA AND SAUDI 
ARABIA'S KING FAHD PLAYED KEY ROLES IN ASSISTING IN NEGOTIATIONS 
WITH LIBYA.  HE SAYS ITALY'S SUPPORT WAS ALSO CRUCIAL, AS IT 
PROVIDED THE AIRPLANE ON WHICH THE TWO SUSPECTS WERE TRANSPORTED 
FROM LIBYA TO THE NETHERLANDS.  (SIGNED)

NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/JO

05-Apr-99 12:58 PM EDT (1658 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.