*EPF404 12/21/00
Text: State Dept. on Observance of Anniversary of Pan Am 103 Bombing
(Suspects in Pan Am 103 bombing are now on trial in Scotland) (350)
On the 12th anniversary of the bombing of Pan Am 103 December 21, State Department Deputy Spokesman Philip Reeker said, "Nothing can possibly undo the terrible devastation of an act of terrorism of this magnitude. However, unlike past anniversaries of this sad event, those charged with the bombing of Pan Am 103 are now on trial."
Reeker noted that the 270 victims of the bombing came from 21 countries.
"We welcome this development and are confident that the Scottish court hearing this case under Scottish law will reach a just verdict," Reeker said.
Following is the State Department text:
(begin text)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
December 21, 2000
STATEMENT BY PHILIP T. REEKER, DEPUTY SPOKESMAN
OBSERVANCE OF THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE BOMBING OF PAN AM 103
Twelve years ago today, a bomb destroyed Pan Am flight 103, killing 259 passengers and crew, as well as eleven residents on the ground in the town of Lockerbie, Scotland. The 270 victims came from 21 countries; 189 of them were citizens of the United States.
Today, our thoughts are with the families and friends of those lost in this brutal and craven act of violence against innocent men, women and children.
Nothing can possibly undo the terrible devastation of an act of terrorism of this magnitude. However, unlike past anniversaries of this sad event, those charged with the bombing of Pan Am 103 are now on trial. We welcome this development and are confident that the Scottish court hearing this case under Scottish law will reach a just verdict.
Libya surrendered the suspects in the Pan Am 103 bombing last year. We call upon Libya to continue its cooperation with the remaining requirements outlined in pertinent UN Security Council resolutions.
(end State Department text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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