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DATE=4/27/2000 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT TITLE=LOCKERBIE TRIAL / HEARING (L-ONLY) NUMBER=2-261775 BYLINE=LAUREN COMITEAU DATELINE=THE HAGUE CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: A Scottish judge has rejected a prosecution request for more time to prepare the case against two Libyans charged with the 1988 bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. The trial will start as planned next Wednesday in a former military base in The Netherlands. From The Hague, Lauren Comiteau reports. TEXT: The two men accused of planting the bomb that killed 270 people when the jet exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland appeared in court looking relaxed as Judge Ranald Sutherland said their trial will go on as planned. Judge Sutherland said the two defendants have already been in custody for over 400 days -- unprecedented in Scottish law. Prosecutors asked for the delay to have more time to review 119 new witnesses and evidence that defense lawyers submitted just last week. Many of the witnesses live in Libya, with others as far away as the United States, Germany, and Malta. Judge Sutherland noted the difficulties prosecutors face in getting to them, but said he was not satisfied that a postponement is necessary. For their part, defense lawyers argued that they were late because prosecutors themselves were late in handing over information. Judge Sutherland called the back and forth accusations lamentable, saying there were difficulties on both sides, but there should not be any blame. Prosecutors have had more than 10 years to prepare for this case. They will begin presenting their evidence next Wednesday. (Signed) NEB/LC/GE/ENE/JP 27-Apr-2000 12:23 PM EDT (27-Apr-2000 1623 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America .