DATE=4/5/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-247653
TITLE=LOCKERBIE SUSPECTS (L)
BYLINE=LAUREN COMITEAU
DATELINE=ROTTERDAM
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO: TWO LIBYANS WHO HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH THE 1998 BOMBING OF
THE AMERICAN JUMBO JET OVER LOCKERBIE, SCOTLAND HAVE ARRIVED IN 
THE NETHERLANDS WHERE THEY WILL STAND TRIAL BEFORE A SPECIALLY 
CONVENED SCOTTISH COURT.  THEY ARE NOW IN THE CUSTODY OF DUTCH 
POLICE AS BRITAIN  SEEKS THEIR EXTRADITION.  LORRAINE COMITEAU 
HAS MORE FROM ROTTERDAM AIRPORT.

TEXT: THE TWO LIBYAN SUSPECTS LANDED AT A DUTCH MILITARY BASE AT 
3:45 P.M. LOCAL TIME.  THEY WERE EACH ACCOMPANIED BY A BROTHER 
AND A LIBYAN LAWYER.

U-N CHIEF LEGAL COUNSEL, HEINZ CORRELL, WAS ALSO ABOARD, MAKING 
SURE THE SUSPECTS GOT HERE SAFELY.  AFTER MONTHS OF DIPLOMATIC 
NEGOTIATIONS, MR. CORRELL CALLED THEIR ARRIVAL IN NETHERLANDS AN 
EXTRAORDINARY ACHIEVEMENT.  THE TRANSFER, HE SAID, TOOK PLACE IN 
A DIGNIFIED MANNER.  AND HE HOPED THE TRIAL WOULD PROCEED IN THE 
SAME WAY.

                       /// CORREL ACT ///

         AND WITH DUE RESPECT TO THE COURT WHICH IS NOW ABOUT TO 
         TRY TWO PERSONS WHO HAVE, AT THIS STAGE, UNDER 
         INTERNATIONAL LAW HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE PRESUMED 
         INNOCENT.

                         /// END ACT ///

THE SUSPECTS WILL BE TRIED AT A FORMER U-S MILITARY BASE HERE 
THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED SCOTTISH TERRITORY FOR THE DURATION OF THE
LEGAL PROCEEDING.  IN A BIZARRE LEGAL MANEUVER, THAT MEANS THE 
MEN MUST BE FORMALLY EXTRADITED TO BRITAIN.  A DUTCH JUDGE WAS AT
THE AIR BASE TO PRESIDE OVER THAT PROCESS WHICH COULD  TAKE 
ANYWHERE FROM A FEW HOURS TO MONTHS. (SIGNED)

NEB/LC/PW-T/WFR

05-Apr-99 4:09 PM EDT (2009 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.