Issued by: Office of the President
President Mandela today welcomed the decision of the governments of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and the United States of America to agree that two Libyan suspects in the Lockerbie bombing case be tried in the Netherlands. Their decision, communicated to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, is consistent with the approach put forward and endorsed by a number of multilateral bodies interested in the resolution of this long standing dispute.
President Mandela warmly welcomes this development and is confident that it should lead to the resolution of this matter, knowing that Colonel Qaddafi shares his concern that this matter should have a just solution as soon as possible. The President is confident that Libya's actions will match its leaders undertakings in this matter. President Mandela will continue his personal efforts to ensure that a just and honourable resolution is achieved, so that the relatives of the victims can finally draw comfort form the completion of the legal process, and so that the hardships of the Libyan people resulting from sanctions can come to an end.
President Mandela reiterates this concern that justice should be done in a way that avoids the humiliation of any party. He is confident that the two accused will be accorded treatment consistent with accepted international practice. he trusts that all parties will conduct themselves in a manner that will not generate tension in a matter that needs to be speedily resolved.
ISSUED BY THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT 25 AUGUST 1998
PARKS MANKAHLANA