DATE=6/11/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-250542
TITLE=U-N / U-S / LIBYA (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  OFFICIALS FROM THE UNITED STATES AND LIBYA  HAVE MET 
(FRIDAY) AT THE UNITED NATIONS -- THEIR FIRST SUCH MEETING SINCE 
THE TWO COUNTRIES BROKE RELATIONS IN 1981.  MORE FROM OUR U-N 
CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON.

TEXT:  THE MEETING WAS ORGANIZED BY U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI 
ANNAN AND INCLUDED THE AMBASSADORS OF LIBYA, BRITAIN, AND THE 
UNITED STATES.  MR. ANNAN REQUESTED THE MEETING TO GATHER 
INFORMATION FOR A REPORT HE IS PREPARING TO DELIVER TO THE U-N 
SECURITY COUNCIL IN TWO WEEKS.  MR. ANNAN WILL TELL THE COUNCIL 
WHETHER LIBYA HAS COOPERATED WITH THE INVESTIGATION AND TRIAL OF 
TWO LIBYAN MEN CHARGED WITH BOMBING AN AMERICAN AIRLINER OVER 
LOCKERBIE, SCOTLAND, IN 1988.  TWO-HUNDRED-70 PEOPLE WERE KILLED 
IN THE INCIDENT.

U-N SPOKESMAN FRED ECKHARD:

                       /// ECKHARD ACT ///

         HE (MR. ANNAN) IS CALLING THE THREE OF THEM TOGETHER IN 
         RESPONSE TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION ON LIBYA.  
         HE IS REQUIRED, AS YOU WILL RECALL, UNDER AN EARLIER 
         RESOLUTION, TO PROVIDE A REPORT WITHIN 90-DAYS OF WHEN 
         THE TWO SUSPECTS WERE HANDED OVER FOR TRIAL IN THE 
         NETHERLANDS AND HE WOULD HOPE THAT THESE DISCUSSIONS 
         WOULD FACILITATE HIS 90 DAY REPORT.

                         /// END ACT ///

AFTER THE MEETING, LIBYA'S U-N AMBASSADOR DESCRIBED THE TALKS AS 
A USEFUL EXCHANGE OF VIEWS.  HE SAID LIBYA WANTS TO NORMALIZE 
RELATIONS WITH THE UNITED STATES.  BRITAIN'S AMBASSADOR SAID THE 
MEETING WAS GOOD AND CONSTRUCTIVE.  THE U-S REPRESENTATIVE TO THE
UNITED NATIONS DID  NOT  COMMENT ON THE TALKS.

ONCE THE SECURITY COUNCIL RECEIVES THE REPORT, IT IS EXPECTED TO 
DECIDE WHETHER TO PERMANENTLY LIFT SANCTIONS AGAINST LIBYA.  THEY
WERE SUSPENDED ON APRIL FIFTH, AFTER LIBYA DELIVERED THE TWO 
TERRORIST SUSPECTS TO THE NETHERLANDS FOR TRIAL IN A SCOTTISH 
COURT.  THE SANCTIONS INCLUDE AN AIR AND ARMS EMBARGO AND WERE 
IMPOSED TO PROTEST LIBYA'S ALLEGED SUPPORT OF TERRORISM.

THE UNITED STATES HAS INDICATED IT  OPPOSES THE LIFTING OF 
SANCTIONS AT THIS TIME, PARTICULARLY AS THE TRIAL OF THE TWO 
BOMBING SUSPECTS HAS  NOT  YET BEGUN.  U-S OFFICIALS SAY LIBYA 
MUST STILL DEMONSTRATE THAT IT WILL COOPERATE IN THE TRIAL OF THE
TWO SUSPECTS.  (SIGNED)

NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/GM

11-Jun-99 5:23 PM EDT (2123 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.