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NEWS RELEASES

August 25, 2003 (3:00 p.m. EDT) No. 117

CANADA WELCOMES DEVELOPMENTS IN LOCKERBIE FILE

Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham today welcomed the decision of the Government of Libya to begin transferring funds to an international bank as part of a settlement for the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 above Lockerbie, Scotland, on December 21, 1988. The transfer of funds follows the recent delivery of a letter to the United Nations Security Council, in which Libya accepted responsibility for the bombing.

"The transfer of funds for the families of the victims, along with Libya's acceptance of responsibility for the Lockerbie bombing, is a critical step toward meeting the requirements of Security Council resolutions," said Minister Graham, while noting that discussions on this matter are ongoing within the Council. "With these steps, Libya is demonstrating a strong commitment to its full reintegration into the international community."

Canada and other countries imposed bilateral sanctions against Libya in 1986 following a series of terrorist acts in Europe. United Nations sanctions were imposed in 1992, in the aftermath of the Lockerbie bombing.

In April 1999, Canadian sanctions were lifted, and United Nations sanctions suspended, after Libya turned over two suspects for trial. Since then, Canada has maintained a policy of progressive engagement with Libya, with reciprocal resident embassies and efforts to enhance political and trade relations.

Minister Graham expressed hope that these recent developments might lead to an outcome satisfactory to all interested parties, in particular to the families of the 270 victims of the Lockerbie bombing, three of whom were Canadian citizens.

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