Libyan problems in negotiations with Paris
Just one day after the resumption of compensation negotiations between Libya and families of the French Ota plane, the chairman of the Libyan negotiation delegation in Paris, Salah Abdul Salam, yesterday announced that Libya suspended the negotiations after in that "Paris had denied a secret agreement with Tripoli on paying additional compensations for the families of the victims of the "DC 10" plane which was blown up over Niger in 1989.
Abdul salam said "our doubts have been materialized now after the French foreign minister has violated the agreement signed" on September 11.
However, representatives for the families of the victims had expressed their optimism over finalizing the agreement on paying the compensations shortly after Tripoli had agreed to resume negotiations to this effect.
Son of the Libyan leader Saif Al-Islam, talked about a "secret" agreement with Paris, noting that al-Qathafi Charity organization "reserves the right to publish the agreement in due time." But the spokesman for the French foreign ministry denied the existence of any secret agreement of any sort.
A representative for the al-Qathafi Charity organization arrived in Paris on Monday, as declared by representatives for the families of the victims, noting that the negotiations concentrated on the amount of the compensation and mode and time of payment. He expected the negotiations to be completed today.
France said yesterday ÒDiscussions between the victimsÕ families and the Kadhafi Foundation are resuming in Paris and we are satisfied. We wish that the revival of these negotiations will allow them to end in the shortest period. ... these are discussions between the victimsÕ families and the al-Qathafi foundation (organization).Ó
Worthy mentioning that the initial agreement which was announced between Paris and Tripoli in September and which had opened the way for lifting international sanctions imposed on Libya, stated a final agreement for paying compensations to be achieved within one month. The negotiations were resumed after the French President Jacques Chirac threatened of the possibility that "relations between the two countries will be affected" in case Libya abstains from resuming the negotiations.