Libya to take Lockerbie blame

The Scotsman ^ | March 11, 2003 | TIM CORNWELL

[MadIvan]

THERE was mounting speculation last night that Libya is poised to accept responsibility for the bombing of Flight Pan Am 103 over Lockerbie in 1988.

Senior officials from the UK, United States and Libya will hold a three-way meeting in London today, part of ongoing talks to broker a deal that could lead to the permanent lifting of United Nations sanctions against Libya, and pave the way to finalising a multi-billion pound settlement for victims’ families.

Speculation of a break-through has been fanned by a meeting set for the day after the "tripartite" talks in London. US family members of the Lockerbie victims have been asked to a meeting with William Burns, the senior state department official involved in the talks.

One source close to the multi-billion law suit, whose result will hang on any agreement, said: "There’s a good chance that tomorrow’s meeting will announce Libya’s acceptance of responsibility."

An agreement will rest on breaking a logjam over the wording of Libya’s statement accepting responsibility for the bomb, which a succession of UN Security Council resolutions have demanded. It will depend on approval not by the Libyans, but hardliners in the Bush administration, said to include the hawkish deputy defence secretary, Paul Wolfowitz. Libya has produced wording on a statement of its role in the Lockerbie bombing that is acceptable to the UK. But the US has baulked, say several sources.

"The Libyans have been ready for this since early February," said one Arab journalist, who has followed the case. "The UK was ready but the US was holding off."

The Libyan embassy in London did not return calls last night on whether any agreement was reached.

If Libya agreed to accept responsibility for the bombing, it could pave the way on a first payment from a £7 million pound settlement for the relatives of each of the 270 victims.

Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi was convicted of the bombing of Pan Am 103, on 21 December, 1988 . He is now serving a life sentence at Barlinnie high security prison in Glasgow.

Dan Cohen, whose daughter died in the bombing , said: "William Burns is a big fish in the State Department and he is not going to meet with us on the eve of a war with Iraq just to tell us there are no new developments."

[MadIvan]

I agree with the hawks. Quadaffi should be dead due to his role in the Lockerbie bombing. Then take the settlement money out of his Swiss bank accounts.

Regards, Ivna

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[Happygal]

Well this should get the Scottish Labour MP's onside with Blair...seeing as Saddam is ready to bunk down with Quaddafi for the rest of his life!

[maro]

I disagree. Morally, Gaddafi should be fish bait, but he has been the model dictator; he's stayed away from terrorism; he's kept a low profile. We can't invade evewryone, so there should be a modus vivendi we can reach with some of these lunatics. If you play ball and admit responsibility for prior bad acts, give up your WMDs, and eschew support for terrorists, we will leave consider you on probation. Don't do that, and you will join Saddam in a shallow grave.

[Happygal]

Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi was convicted of the bombing of Pan Am 103, on 21 December, 1988 . He is now serving a life sentence at Barlinnie high security prison in Glasgow.

This in my mind is sickening. This bastard should be dead now. Not living a life at her Magesty's pleasure. I'm sorry. If one of my family were killed as a result of this terrorist, no amount of money from the corrupt government that funded him would appease me.

[Happygal]

but he has been the model dictator; he's stayed away from terrorism;

He's stayed away from terrorism? But is prepared to take Saddams billions to harbour him as an exile? Hmmm.

[The Raven]

Wow...!!! Why now???