.contact us |.about us
    News > International News ... ...
    Search:
        Advertisement
    US keeps Libya sanctions in place
    ( 2004-01-06 14:43) (Agencies)

    The Bush administration said on Monday it was keeping U.S. sanctions against Libya in place but promised to take "tangible steps" to improve relations if Tripoli follows through on its pledge to get rid of its weapons of mass destruction.

    "Despite the positive developments, the crisis with respect to Libya has not been fully resolved, and I have therefore determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency declared with respect to Libya and maintain in force the comprehensive sanctions against Libya," U.S. President Bush said in a letter members of Congress issued during his visit to St. Louis.

    But Bush also pledged: "As Libya takes tangible steps to address those concerns, the United States will in turn take reciprocal tangible steps to recognize Libya's progress."

    Although the president did not spell out what steps he would take if Libya follows through, the administration could roll back some of the sanctions later this year as a goodwill gesture, leaving others in place for leverage. U.S. officials said no decisions have been made.

    Bush's announcement was widely expected despite comments from Libya's prime minister suggesting his government was pressing for their quick removal.

    Tripoli and the families of the 1988 Lockerbie bombing victims agreed on an April deadline for ending the U.S. sanctions, although a lawyer for the families said the deadline could be extended. The United States has long maintained it is not bound by the agreement between the families and Libya and would remove its sanctions only when it deemed appropriate.

    Lifting the sanctions would pave the way for U.S. oil companies, including Oasis Group that includes Marathon Oil Co., ConocoPhillips and Amerada Hess to resume activities in Libya, which they had to abandon when expanded U.S. sanctions forced them to pull out in 1986.

    LIBYA MAY REAP REWARDS

    In a surprise announcement last month, Libya pledged to abandon its weapons of mass destruction programs and allow unconditional inspections.

    Bush praised the move as "an important and welcome step toward addressing the concerns of the world community." He said Libya stood to reap rewards through better relations with the United States if it follows through on its commitments.

    "Libya's agreement marks the beginning of a process of rejoining the community of nations, but its declaration of December 19, 2003, must be followed by verification of concrete steps," Bush said in a statement said.

    He also held up Libya as a possible model for other nations after the invasion of Iraq.

    "Leaders around the world now know weapons of mass destruction do not bring influence or prestige, they bring isolation and unwelcome consequences. And nations who abandon the pursuit of these weapons will find an open path to better relations with the United States of America," Bush said at a fund-raiser in St. Louis.

    No weapons of mass destruction have yet been found in Iraq.

    Libya has agreed to take responsibility for the Lockerbie bombing and pay $2.7 billion in compensation, or up to $10 million for each of the 270 people who were killed, starting with an initial $4 million for each family once U.N. sanctions were ended. That occurred on Sept. 12.

    Another $4 million is to be paid if Washington lifts its sanctions and $2 million more if Libya is dropped from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism within eight months of Libya placing the $2.7 billion into the escrow account.

     
    Close  
       
      Today's Top News   Top International News
       
    +WHO: Bird flu death rises to 15; vaccination recommended
    (2004-02-05)
    +Solana: EU ready to lift China arms embargo
    (2004-02-05)
    +Nation tops TV, cell phone, monitor production
    (2004-02-05)
    +Absence ... still makes China hot
    (2004-02-05)
    +Hu: Developing world in key role
    (2004-02-04)
    +WHO: Bird flu death rises to 15; vaccination recommended
    (2004-02-05)
    +Solana: EU ready to lift China arms embargo
    (2004-02-05)
    +US court clears way for gay marriages
    (2004-02-05)
    +Pakistan nuke scientist asks forgiveness
    (2004-02-05)
    +Sharon ready for referendum on scrapping settlements
    (2004-02-05)
       
      Go to Another Section  
         
     
     
         
      Article Tools  
         
     
     
         
      Related Articles  
         
     

    +Gadhafi: We don't want to hide anything
    2003-12-23

    +US oil companies eye Libya return
    2003-12-24

    +IAEA begins Libya nuclear inspections
    2003-12-29

       
            .contact us |.about us
      Copyright By chinadaily.com.cn. All rights reserved  
    中文字幕精品亚洲无线码二区| 中文字幕av无码一区二区三区电影| 免费看成人AA片无码视频羞羞网| 精品无码国产污污污免费网站 | 制服在线无码专区| 亚洲AV永久无码精品一区二区国产| av无码人妻一区二区三区牛牛 | 久久99中文字幕久久| 国产精品无码免费专区午夜| 亚洲国产精品无码av| 中文字幕在线免费看线人| 精品人妻中文字幕有码在线| 色欲香天天综合网无码| 免费无码一区二区三区| 在线播放无码高潮的视频| 亚洲日本中文字幕天天更新| 亚洲精品成人无码中文毛片不卡| 国产成人无码精品久久久免费 | 国产热の有码热の无码视频| 无码人妻精品一区二区三区久久 | 中文字幕av无码一区二区三区电影| 中文字幕欧美日韩| 狠狠躁天天躁无码中文字幕| 中文字幕在线观看亚洲视频| 免费AV一区二区三区无码| 国产AV无码专区亚洲精品| 精品人妻系列无码天堂| 人妻无码视频一区二区三区| 无码人妻一区二区三区在线视频| 无码人妻一区二区三区免费看 | AAA级久久久精品无码片| 无码人妻少妇久久中文字幕蜜桃 | 无码欧精品亚洲日韩一区夜夜嗨 | 一本一道av中文字幕无码| 久久人妻AV中文字幕| 亚洲人成中文字幕在线观看| а中文在线天堂| 中文字幕无码高清晰| 欧美成人中文字幕在线看| 免费A级毛片无码无遮挡内射 | 色爱无码AV综合区|