SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES UNITED KINGDOM INVITATION TO SEND UN OBSERVERS TO TRIAL OF SUSPECTS IN LOCKERBIE BOMBING
Press Release
SG/SM/6372
SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES UNITED KINGDOM INVITATION TO SEND UN OBSERVERS TO TRIAL OF SUSPECTS IN LOCKERBIE BOMBING
19971030 The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary- General Kofi Annan:By a letter dated 28 October 1997, the Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom informed the Secretary-General that the United Kingdom would welcome the presence of international observers from the United Nations at the trial of the suspects in the Lockerbie bombing. Such observers would have full access to the suspects before and during the trial (if the suspects agree), would be able to witness all the court proceedings, and would be provided with administrative and reporting facilities.
With a view to briefing the United Nations Secretariat on the safeguards to ensure a fair trial and discuss how international observers may best be accommodated in court proceedings, the United Kingdom has invited the Secretary- General to send two representatives to Scotland. They would visit Scottish prison and court facilities and meet United Kingdom representatives to discuss the modalities of a trial in Scotland in the presence of international observers.
The Secretary-General considers that the dispatch of two representatives, as suggested by the United Kingdom, and the communication of their findings to the Libyan authorities, could assist in the implementation of resolutions 731 (1992), 748 (1992) and 883 (1993) of the Security Council. He, therefore, welcomes the United Kingdom invitation and has informed the members of the Security Council that he proposes to accept it.
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