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USUN PRESS RELEASE #52-(98)
MARCH 20, 1998

Statement by Ambassador Bill Richardson, United States Representative to the United Nations, at a Press Conference on Libyan Sanctions and the Lockerbie Case, at the United Nations, on March 20, 1998

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Good morning. In a moment I'd like to introduce several family members who lost loved ones in the terrorist attack on Pan Am flight 103, nearly ten years ago. But first, I'd like to say a few words about the Security Council meeting which will take place this morning.
The United States welcomes this opportunity to set the record straight and publicly lay out the facts about the Pan Am 103 case and the UN sanctions against Libya. Today, we will listen to Libya and its supporters argue that UN sanctions are causing widespread humanitarian suffering among the Libyan people.
They will claim the mechanisms established by the Sanctions Committee, to deal with humanitarian issues, are inadequate and should be changed. They will argue that the recent ruling by the International Court of Justice requires that we lift sanctions on Libya.While I will have more time to discuss these issues in the Security Council, I can assure you that every one of these accusations is flatly wrong.
These allegations are nothing more than a smoke screen put up by the Libyan government to draw attention away from the victims of the real facts of this case, many of whom are with me here this morning.
Six years ago, following extensive criminal investigation, compelling evidence was presented indicating that Libyan intelligence operatives were responsible for the bombing of not just Pan Am 103, but also of UTA flight 772. In response, the United Nations placed sanctions on Libya so that these men would be brought to justice. But there is little hope of us seeing that suffering end until Libya finally complies with the will of the international community and turns over the two suspects in the Lockerbie bombing.
Only then will sanctions be lifted; only then will Libya be given a chance to rejoin the family of nations; and, only then will the victims' families receive the justice that they so richly deserve.Today, the United States, the United Nations and more importantly, the families of the victims, who are here today, are still waiting for justice -- more than nine years after their loved ones were killed in the skies over Lockerbie, Scotland. Their suffering and their long wait for justice is the real issue that should be discussed today.
Thank you.
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