British House of commons discusses Lockerbie settlement
Libya-UK, Judicial, 4/30/1998

London on Wednesday said it still opposes the idea of permitting the trial of the two Libyans suspected of being involved in the bombing of a US passenger jet over Lockerbie in Scotland in 1988 to be held in a neutral country.

A Labor Party member of the British House of Commons, Tam Dalyell, asked his government to break the stalemate in the Lockerbie case and respond to the Libyans' offer to send the two citizens to Europe for trial.

But the British Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Derek Fatchett told the House of Commons that approving the Libyan proposal would be a grave mistake in permitting the "trial of individuals or countries accused of terrorist acts in places chosen by them," adding that the best place to try them is a Scottish court and according to the Scottish law.

The half hour debate on this issue came following the visit of Jim Swire, who represents the families of 30 British victims in the tragic event including his daughter Flora.

Previous Stories:
  Tripoli accuses US of obstructing Lockerbie settlement   (4/29/1998)
  Lybia's acceptance of trial offer causes disputes among Lockerbie victims families   (4/23/1998)
  International Court moves on Lockerbie, Qatar - Bahrain disputes   (4/2/1998)

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