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The Natural
- Apr 22, 2006
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Libya urged to make Lockerbie payments
By Sue Pleming
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - With the United States set to take Libya off its list of state sponsors of terror, U.S. lawmakers criticised the Bush administration on Wednesday for failing to push Tripoli hard enough make final payments to the families of victims of the 1988 Lockerbie bombing.
The U.S. State Department said the 45-day Congressional review period for Libya to be removed from the terrorism list ended on Wednesday and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice would soon finish the paperwork to complete the process.
Last month full diplomatic ties were resumed and the two countries will soon exchange ambassadors.
"I am very disappointed that the administration chose to renew its relationship with (Libyan leader Muammar) Gaddafi before making sure he fulfilled his promises to American victims of his terror," said Democratic Sen. Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey.
Lawmakers and relatives of some of the 270 people killed in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, urged the Bush administration not to accept Libyan officials' diplomatic credentials until Tripoli pays the final tranche of compensation payments.
A bomb aboard Flight 103 was linked to Libyan agents
"Libya should be applauded for the steps it has taken to get this far. But before the US welcomes Libya as a diplomatic partner it must ensure that Libya fulfils all of the obligations," said Rep. Rob Andrews, a New Jersey Democrat.
Republican lawmakers have also been critical of the administration's stance.
The U.S.
U.S. State Department spokesman Adam Ereli said he had "misspoken" and the United States was no longer directly involved in pressing Libya over this issue.
"I should have said we were (not are) actively involved," said Ereli. "Obviously, we are supportive of the families. We work to help resolve this ... this in a fair manner. But we're not a party to it.
Libyan lawyers in the United States said this week there was no longer a legal obligation to make the final payments of $2 million to each family, contending that an agreement to keep the final portion of the compensation package in escrow accounts expired in December 2004.
A House of Representatives committee approved a measure last week barring diplomatic ties with Libya unless it pays the remainder of $536 million to the victims families. That legislation is expected to be passed by Thursday.
(Reporting by Sue Pleming)
Libya urged to make Lockerbie payments
By Sue Pleming
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - With the United States set to take Libya off its list of state sponsors of terror, U.S. lawmakers criticised the Bush administration on Wednesday for failing to push Tripoli hard enough make final payments to the families of victims of the 1988 Lockerbie bombing.
The U.S. State Department said the 45-day Congressional review period for Libya to be removed from the terrorism list ended on Wednesday and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice would soon finish the paperwork to complete the process.
Last month full diplomatic ties were resumed and the two countries will soon exchange ambassadors.
"I am very disappointed that the administration chose to renew its relationship with (Libyan leader Muammar) Gaddafi before making sure he fulfilled his promises to American victims of his terror," said Democratic Sen. Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey.
Lawmakers and relatives of some of the 270 people killed in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, urged the Bush administration not to accept Libyan officials' diplomatic credentials until Tripoli pays the final tranche of compensation payments.
A bomb aboard Flight 103 was linked to Libyan agents
"Libya should be applauded for the steps it has taken to get this far. But before the US welcomes Libya as a diplomatic partner it must ensure that Libya fulfils all of the obligations," said Rep. Rob Andrews, a New Jersey Democrat.
Republican lawmakers have also been critical of the administration's stance.
The U.S.
U.S. State Department spokesman Adam Ereli said he had "misspoken" and the United States was no longer directly involved in pressing Libya over this issue.
"I should have said we were (not are) actively involved," said Ereli. "Obviously, we are supportive of the families. We work to help resolve this ... this in a fair manner. But we're not a party to it.
Libyan lawyers in the United States said this week there was no longer a legal obligation to make the final payments of $2 million to each family, contending that an agreement to keep the final portion of the compensation package in escrow accounts expired in December 2004.
A House of Representatives committee approved a measure last week barring diplomatic ties with Libya unless it pays the remainder of $536 million to the victims families. That legislation is expected to be passed by Thursday.
(Reporting by Sue Pleming)
