Arab League criticizes American stance toward Libyan sanctions
Regional-Libya-UN, Politics, 6/9/1999

Arab League Assistant Secretary General Mohammed Zakaria Ismail said the USA acted in a different way than the international community, Europe and the Arabian states, and, "This places the U.S.A in a bad situation before the world."

Yesterday US Undersecretary of State for Near East Affairs Martin Indyk addressed the US position toward Libya to the US Congress. In his prepared statement, Indyk said that US economic sanctions against Libya remain, despite these sanctions' suspension by the United Nations after the two Libyan suspects were delivered for trial by a Scottish court in the Netherlands.

Indyk laid out four actions Libya must take for the permanent lifting of UN sanctions: end and renounce support for all forms of terrorism, pay appropriate compensation, acknowledge responsibility for the actions of its officials, and cooperate with the investigation and the trial. He said, "We do not think the Secretary General will be able to report positively on Libyan compliance with those requirements by the early July deadline for his report."

He said, "We are aware, however, that many Security Council members are anxious to close the chapter of Libya sanctions, and might be prepared to accept Libyan assurances instead of actions. We are not."

Indyk said the United States is "prepared, as the Secretary has indicated, to veto a Resolution lifting sanctions if it is presented before we are satisfied with Libyan actions."

He added that UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Britain, Libya and the United States will discuss at the United Nations US views about what Libya must do to comply with Security Council resolutions.

Arab Leagues' Ismail stated that what is practiced by the United States against the Arab states is received by comprehensive Arab opposition, whether in Iraq or Libya or Sudan adding that this proves that the USA still insists on using double standards in the Middle East's issues, causing mistrust in its credibility toward the issues in which the Arabs play parts.

Previous Stories:
  Russia resumes cooperation with Libya   (5/18/1999)
  Libyan leader announces his country to hold meetings with Washington and London   (4/30/1999)
  US call to perpetuate sanctions on Libya   (4/30/1999)

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