In progress at UNHQ

SG/SM/6935

SECRETARY-GENERAL GREATLY ENCOURAGED BY READINESS OF LIBYA TO PROCEED WITH TRANSFER OF TWO LOCKERBIE ACCUSED TO NETHERLANDS

19 March 1999


Press Release
SG/SM/6935


SECRETARY-GENERAL GREATLY ENCOURAGED BY READINESS OF LIBYA TO PROCEED WITH TRANSFER OF TWO LOCKERBIE ACCUSED TO NETHERLANDS

19990319

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary- General Kofi Annan:

This afternoon, the Permanent Representative of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Ambassador Abuzed Omar Dorda, hand delivered to the Secretary- General a letter from Omar Mustafa Muntasser, Secretary of the General People's Committee of the People's Bureau for Foreign Liaison and International Cooperation of the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.

As already announced by President Nelson Mandela in Tripoli this morning, the letter confirms the readiness of Libya to proceed with the transfer of the two accused to the Netherlands. The Secretary-General is greatly encouraged by this development and the necessary arrangements will now be initiated by the Secretariat.

The Secretary-General has shared the letter with the Security Council.

The Secretary-General would like to record his warm appreciation of the efforts made by President Mandela, as well as Crown Prince Abdullah and others in order to bring this matter to a satisfactory conclusion, in cooperation with the authorities of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.

* *** *

For information media. Not an official record.