19 December 1997
Washington -- The White House noted December 19 that "Nine years ago, on December 21, 1988, a bomb destroyed Pan American Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, taking the lives of 270 women, men and children of more than 20 nationalities.
"We have not forgotten those innocent victims, and our hearts are with their families, particularly on this day," the statement said.
"One of the most painstaking and professional criminal investigations in history produced overwhelming evidence of the involvement of two Libyans in the bombing and led to their indictment," the White House said. "When they stand trial before a Scottish or American court, they will have an opportunity the victims never had: to defend themselves, and they will have the guarantee of a free and fair trial."
Following is the White House text:
(begin text)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
December 19, 1997
Ninth Anniversary of Pan Am 103 Bombing
Nine years ago, on December 21, 1988, a bomb destroyed Pan American Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, taking the lives of 270 women, men and children of more than 20 nationalities. We have not forgotten those innocent victims, and our hearts are with their families, particularly on this day.
One of the most painstaking and professional criminal investigations in history produced overwhelming evidence of the involvement of two Libyans in the bombing and led to their indictment. When they stand trial before a Scottish or American court, they will have an opportunity the victims never had: to defend themselves, and they will have the guarantee of a free and fair trial.
Time has not diminished our determination to see justice done. The world cannot simply close the book on any act of state-sponsored terrorism, no matter how many years have passed. To do so would be to encourage terrorist states to continue their practice. This is why we insist on tough bilateral and international sanctions until Libya demonstrates it is serious in its claim not to support terrorism by handing over the two suspects for trial in Scotland or the United States. (end text)
19 December 1997
Washington -- The State Department noted that December 21 marks the ninth anniversary of the bombing of Pan American Flight 103 and the deaths of 259 passengers, as well as of 11 residents on the ground in the town of Lockerbie, Scotland.
A criminal investigation uncovered evidence that two Libyan intelligence officials were responsible for placing the bomb that destroyed the aircraft, said State Department Deputy Spokesman Jim Foley December 19. The men face serious criminal charges in the United States and Scotland, but they are still sheltered in Libya.
"We have not forgotten the terrible crime committed that day nine years ago, and we shall not forget," said Foley. "We will continue to demand that the two men accused of this crime be held to answer so that the truth may be known, and we pledge our continuing commitment to see that justice is done."
Following is the text of his statement:
(Begin text)
This weekend marks the ninth anniversary of one of the worst terrorist attacks in the history of our country. On December 21, 1988, a bomb destroyed Pan American Flight 103, killing 259 passengers, and 11 residents on the ground in the town of Lockerbie, Scotland. Altogether, the 270 victims represented nationals of 21 countries; 189 of them were citizens of the United States,
An exhaustive criminal investigation uncovered convincing evidence that two Libyan intelligence officials were responsible for placing the bomb that destroyed the aircraft and the lives of so many people. Both men face serious criminal charges in the United States and Scotland. The international community has demanded that they be surrendered for trial, but they are still sheltered in Libya.
We have not forgotten the terrible crime committed that day nine years ago, and we shall not forget. We will continue to demand that the two men accused of this crime be held to answer so that the truth may be known, and we pledge our continuing commitment to see that justice is done.
This Sunday, our thoughts will be with the families and friends of those who so needlessly died, as they gather at Arlington Cemetery, in Lockerbie, and elsewhere to remember their loved ones. We in the State Department particularly send our prayers to the families of our colleagues who were among the slain. (End text)
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