DATE=4/27/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=LOCKERBIE TRIAL / HEARING (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-261775
BYLINE=LAUREN COMITEAU
DATELINE=THE HAGUE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:


INTRO:  A Scottish judge has rejected a prosecution 
request for more time to prepare the case against two 
Libyans charged with the 1988 bombing of Pan Am flight 
103 over Lockerbie, Scotland.  The trial will start as 
planned next Wednesday in a former military base in 
The Netherlands.  From The Hague, Lauren Comiteau 
reports.


TEXT:  The two men accused of planting the bomb that 
killed 270 people when the jet exploded over 
Lockerbie, Scotland appeared in court looking relaxed 
as Judge Ranald Sutherland said their trial will go on 
as planned.

Judge Sutherland said the two defendants have already 
been in custody for over 400 days -- unprecedented in 
Scottish law.  Prosecutors asked for the delay to have 
more time to review 119 new witnesses and evidence 
that defense lawyers submitted just last week.  Many 
of the witnesses live in Libya, with others as far 
away as the United States, Germany, and Malta.

Judge Sutherland noted the difficulties prosecutors 
face in getting to them, but said he was not satisfied 
that a postponement is necessary.

For their part, defense lawyers argued that they were 
late because prosecutors themselves were late in 
handing over information.  Judge Sutherland called the 
back and forth accusations lamentable, saying there 
were difficulties on both sides, but there should not 
be any blame.  Prosecutors have had more than 10 years 
to prepare for this case.  They will begin presenting 
their evidence next Wednesday.   (Signed)

NEB/LC/GE/ENE/JP




27-Apr-2000 12:23 PM EDT (27-Apr-2000 1623 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.