MEASURES AGAINST LIBYA SUSPENDED ON 5 APRIL, SECURITY COUNCIL NOTES IN PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT
Press Release
SC/6664
MEASURES AGAINST LIBYA SUSPENDED ON 5 APRIL, SECURITY COUNCIL NOTES IN PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT
19990408 Conditions for Suspending Measures Imposed by Resolutions 748 (1992) And 883 (1993) Fulfilled upon Receipt of Letter from Secretary-GeneralThe conditions for suspending the wide range of aerial, arms and diplomatic measures against Libya had been fulfilled as of 5 April, 1400 hours EST, the Security Council noted in a presidential statement this afternoon.
The measures had been immediately suspended on 5 April upon the receipt of a letter from the Secretary-General indicating that the two suspects in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am flight 103 had safely arrived in the Netherlands to stand trial before a Scottish Court, and that the Libyan Government had satisfied the French authorities investigating the 1989 bombing of Union de Transports Aeriens (UTA) flight 772. In its statement, the Council recalled that it had immediately acknowledged that development in a statement to the press on that date.
Also by today's presidential statement, the Council expressed deep appreciations to the Secretary-General, the Governments of South Africa and Saudi Arabia and other countries for their commitment towards reaching a satisfactory conclusions relating to Pan Am flight 103. Further, it noted the role played by the League of Arab States, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the Organization of African Unity and the Non-Aligned Movement in that regard.
By its resolution 1192 (1998), the Council decided that measures against Libya -- imposed by its resolutions 748 (1992) and 883 (1993) -- would be immediately suspended once the Secretary-General reported that the two accused had arrived at the Netherlands for trial and that the conditions regarding the investigation of UTA flight 772 had been met.
In UTA flight 772, which exploded over the Niger, 171 people died. A total of 270 people were killed when Pan Am flight 103 exploded over the Scottish village of Lockerbie.
Also by resolution 1192 (1998), the Secretary-General was requested to report, within 90 days of the date of the suspension of the measures, on Libya's compliance with the remaining provisions of Council resolutions 731 (1992) and 748 (1992). If he found Libya in compliance with the provisions of the two earlier texts, the measures would be immediately lifted. By those
Security Council - 2 - Press Release SC/6664 3992nd Meeting (PM) 8 April 1999
provisions, Libya must commit itself to ceasing all forms of terrorist action and assistance to terrorist groups and must promptly, and concretely, demonstrate its renunciation of terrorism.
When it met this afternoon, the Council had before it a letter dated 8 April from Ali Hachani (Tunisia), Chairman of the Arab Group, to the Council President (to be issued as document S/1999/597). The letter reiterates an 18 March resolution adopted by the League of Arab States stressing the need for the Council to adopt a resolution confirming the suspension of the measures.
The meeting, which began at 1:16 p.m., adjourned at 1:21 p.m.
The full text of the statement, which will be issued as document S/PRST/1999/10, is as follows:
"The Security Council recalls its resolutions 731 (1992) of 21 January 1992, 748 (1992) of 31 March 1992, 883 (1993) of 11 November 1993 and 1192 (1998) of 27 August 1998.
"The Security Council welcomes the letter of the Secretary-General to the President of the Security Council of 5 April 1999 (S/1999/378) reporting that the two persons accused of the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 have arrived in the Netherlands for the purpose of trial before the court described in paragraph 2 of resolution 1192 (1998) and that, with regard to the bombing of UTA 772, the French authorities had informed the Secretary-General that he might indicate, in conditions set forth in resolution 1192 (1998) had been met, without prejudice to the other requests concerning the bombing of Pan Am flight 103. "The Security Council expresses its deep appreciation to the Secretary- General, the Governments of the Republic of South Africa and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other countries for the commitment towards reaching a satisfactory conclusion relating to Pan Am flight 103.
"The Security Council further notes the role played by the League of Arab States, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the Organization of African Unity and the Non-Aligned Movement in this regard.
"The Security Council notes that, with the letter of the Secretary- General of 5 April 1999, the conditions set forth in paragraph 8 of resolution 1192 (1998) for the immediate suspension of the measures set forth in resolutions 748 (1992) and 883 (1993) have been fulfilled. In this regard, the Council recalls that, in accordance with resolution 1192 (1998), the measures set forth in resolutions 748 (1992) and 883 (1993) were immediately suspended upon receipt of the letter of the Secretary-General on 5 April 1999 at 1400 Eastern Standard Time. This development was immediately acknowledged through a statement of the President of the Security Council to the press on 5 April 1999 following consultations of the whole (Press Release SC/6662).
"The Security Council remains seized of the matter."
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