Print

Mail

wiki links

British officials report progress in Lockerbie talks

Britain reported progress Monday in talks with American and Libyan officials about the Lockerbie bombing and remaining UN "requirements," which include Libyan acceptance of responsibility and compensation for families of 270 people killed in the 1988 attack.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said no announcement of a settlement was immediately forthcoming, and no further meetings were planned at the moment. However, British officials "hope that the issue will be resolved soon," she added on condition she not be identified.

One relative of a victim said he understood agreement had been reached on compensation and a statement of responsibility and that action would be taken within a week.

The Foreign Office would not discuss publicly what took place at the meeting, one of a series of such private tri-lateral meetings about the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 during the last few years, the spokeswoman said.

But officials were pleased with progress Monday, and called the meeting "a constructive session," she said.

Those attending the working-level meeting discussed the Lockerbie bombing issue "and outstanding UN Security Council requirements," she said.

The requirements are that Libya accept responsibility for the bombing of the airliner over Lockerbie, Scotland and pay appropriate compensation.

Lawyers for the families have said that Libya is prepared to pay families of those killed a total of US$2.7 billion, or US$10 million for each of the 270 persons who died.

Libya has indicated it is intent on meeting both UN requirements and on closing the books on an issue that has affected the country's international relations for years.

Compliance with UN Security Council requirements could lead to a lifting of UN sanctions.

In the US, Daniel Cohen, whose daughter Theodora died in the attack, said he understood agreement had been reached on both requirements.

Speaking by telephone from Cape May Court House, New Jersey, Cohen said, "It appears that an agreement has been reached as far as payment of money to the families," and that the money would be placed in a Swiss escrow account within a week.

He said he also believed a Libyan statement of responsibility had been agreed and would be submitted to the UN Security Council, also within a week. He did not indicate where he got the information.

Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi was asked on a US television broadcast earlier this month if his country accepted responsibility and was prepared to pay compensation. He did not answer directly but said negotiators were nearing a conclusion.
This story has been viewed 1390 times.