Clipper
Maid of the Seas
Flight 103 – Lockerbie, Scotland
Secretary
of State Madeleine K. Albright
Statement
on venue for trial of PanAm #103 Bombing Suspects
Washington,
D.C., August 24, 1998
As
released by the Office of the Spokesman U.S.
Department of State
SECRETARY
ALBRIGHT:
Good morning. As the President said last week, we are engaged in a long-term
struggle against terrorism in which we will use every means, including
diplomatic, economic and force where necessary, to hold terrorists accountable
and to protect American lives.
Last
week, we used armed force to protect Americans from continuing terrorist
attacks. The President announced a freeze on the financial assets of a terrorist
network. Our law enforcement investigation of the African embassy bombings
continues. And today, I?m announcing another effort to bring terrorists to
justice.
It
has been a decade since Pan Am flight 103 exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland,
killing all 259 people aboard and 11 others on the ground. From the outset,
America?s goal and that of the United Kingdom has been to apprehend and bring
before the bar of justice those responsible for this cowardly act of mass
murder.
A
lengthy and exhaustive investigation by British and US law enforcement officials
developed compelling evidence implicating a senior Libyan intelligence official
and the former manager of the Libyan Arab Airlines office in Malta. Both were
agents of the Libyan Government; both were indicted in US and UK courts for
their parts in the crime.
Since
those indictments, the UN Security Council has repeatedly directed that the
Libyan Government turn over the two suspects for trial before a US or Scottish
court. The Council agreed to impose sanctions until Libya complies. Those
sanctions have been regularly reviewed and reaffirmed.
Unfortunately,
year after year has passed without resolution. The sanctions have not altered
Libyan intransigence. The families of the victims have become increasingly and
understandably frustrated. The cause of justice was not being served.
Accordingly,
the United States and the United Kingdom began exploring whether it might be
possible for a Scottish court to hold a trial presided over by Scottish judges
outside Scotland. This step is fully consistent with UN Security Council
resolutions, and has been suggested to us as a way to call the Libyan
Government?s bluff and to bring the fugitives into court at long last.
After
consultations with The Netherlands, we have concluded that such a trial is,
indeed, possible. Accordingly, we have decided to go forward with a trial of the
two suspects before a Scottish court with Scottish judges applying Scottish law.
We thank The Netherlands Government for indicating its willingness to host this
proceeding.
We
note that Libya has repeatedly stated its readiness to deliver the suspects for
trial by a Scottish court sitting in a third country. This approach has been
endorsed by the Arab League, the Organization of African Unity, the Organization
of the Islamic Conference and the Non-Aligned Movement. We now challenge Libya
to turn promises into deeds. The suspects should be surrendered for trial
promptly. We call upon the members of organizations that have endorsed this
approach to urge Libya to end its ten years of evasion now.
Let
me be clear — the plan the US and the UK are putting forward is a
"take-it-or-leave-it" proposition. It is not subject to negotiation or
change, nor should it be subject to additional foot-dragging or delay. We are
ready to begin such a trial as soon as Libya turns over the suspects. We expect
— and the families deserve — and immediate answer.
In
closing, I want to add a personal note. For years now, as US Ambassador to the
United Nations and as Secretary of State, I have been in contact with many of
the families of those murdered on Pan Am 103. I was in touch with them again
this morning. As may be expected, these families don?t all agree on the proper
strategy for achieving accountability in this case. But they all agree on that
goal, for they all share the anguish of having lost a loved one to terror. And
they all agree that the delay in bringing the suspects to trial have gone on for
far too long.
In
dealing with a tragedy as profound and gut-wrenching as this one, we cannot
speak of achieving true justice in the human sense. For true justice implies a
balancing of the scales; and there is no action or force or thing on Earth that
can balance the loss of a husband, a daughter, son, parent or wife. But we can
and do demand accountability. One way or another, terrorists must answer for
their crimes.
As
the events of recent days illustrate, America is determined to see that the
perpetrators of terrorism past are brought to account; to respond swiftly and
firmly to present acts of terror; and to deter and prevent such crimes in the
future. We owe that to the families of Pan Am 103, to other victims of terror,
to all Americans and to decent and law-abiding people everywhere.
Thank
you.
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