World Tribune.com

U.S. removes Libya from
terror list, restores ties

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Tuesday, May 16, 2006

WASHINGTON — Less than three weeks after Libya was designated once again as a terrorist sponsor, the United States has restored full diplomatic relations with the North African state.

On Monday, the State Department announced the restoration of full relations with Libya, Middle East Newsline reported. At the same time, the department said it would remove Tripoli from the U.S. list of terrorist sponsors, which formally could take place by June 30.

"We are taking these actions in recognition of Libya's continued commitment to its renunciation of terrorism and the excellent cooperation Libya has provided to the United States and other members of the international community in response to common global threats faced by the civilized world since September 11, 2001," Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in a statement.

The department's announcement marked the start of a 45-day period for Congress and the American people to respond to the decision. Congress was expected to support the Bush administration.

Ms. Rice said the United States would soon open an embassy in Tripoli.

She said Washington would also remove Libya from the list of state sponsors of terrorism as well as countries that fail to cooperate fully with U.S. anti-terrorism efforts.

The United States would continue to address its concerns with Libya, Ms. Rice said. She cited human rights, democracy and economic and political reform.

The decision by the Bush administration ends nearly 26 years of sanctions on Libya. Officials said the move marked a detailed review of Tripoli's behavior since 1993 that could be extended to other U.S. adversaries. The United States attacked Libya in 1981 and 1986.

"Libya is an important model as nations around the world press for changes in behavior by the Iranian and North Korean regimes — changes that could be vital to international peace and security," Ms. Rice said. "We urge the leadership of Iran and North Korea to make similar strategic decisions that would benefit their citizens."

Officials said they doubted that the United States would sell lethal military systems to Libya in 2006. But they did not rule out the export of air transports and other non-combat equipment to Tripoli over the next year.

But administration sources said Libya could represent a new source of energy for the United States. They said Vice President Dick Cheney has been appointed to head a White House effort to find near- and medium-term oil suppliers for the United States.

On April 28, the department released a report that designated Libya a state sponsor of terrorism. Later, State Department counter-terrorism coordinator Henry Crumpton said Tripoli has not fully responded to U.S. concerns regarding Libya's links to groups deemed terrorist.

Over the last three years, Libya has agreed to accept legal responsibility for the bombing of a Pan Am passenger jet in which 170 people were killed over Lockerbie, Scotland in 1988. Tripoli has paid more $2.7 billion to the relatives of the victims.

Tripoli also renounced weapons of mass destruction and medium-range missiles. Libya's chemical weapons arsenal has still not been destroyed.

"The United States hopes that states with even more threatening WMD and missile programs will see Libya's experience as a model to emulate," the State Department said in a statement.


Copyright © 2006 East West Services, Inc.

Print this Article Print this Article Email this article Email this article Subscribe to this Feature Free Headline Alerts


Google
Search Worldwide Web Search WorldTribune.com