[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 88 (Monday, June 21, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7371-S7372]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN SUPPORT OF THE VICTIMS OF PAN AM FLIGHT

 Mr. TORRICELLI. Mr. President, I rise today to discuss an 
issue that is important to me, and many of my constituents, in the 
context of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act. The tragedy of Pan 
Am Flight 103 occurred over ten years ago. 270 people were killed as a 
result of the bombing over Lockerbie, Scotland, including 189 
Americans. The bombing of Pan Am 103 was the worst act of international 
terrorism ever directed against the United States. Since then, we have 
fought a long battle to see the perpetrators of that crime brought to 
justice. I have personally spoken to the families of the victims and 
shared their outrage that the suspects were harbored by the Libyan 
government.
  It now appears as if the indicted suspects, Abdel Basset Al-Megrahi 
and Lamen Khalifa Fhimah, may finally be tried for their crime. Colonel 
Qaddafi has turned over the two men to stand trial before a Scottish 
court, under Scottish law, and by a panel of Scottish judges in the 
Netherlands. Barring any unforseen problems, a trial of the two men 
suspected in the bombing of Pan Am 103 is all but certain to take place 
at the Hague.
  This Congress and the Administration have been extremely supportive 
of the victims' families, but it would be fair to say that they have 
seen little justice over the past 10 years. We have all been touched by 
this tragedy. In the State of New Jersey alone there are 38 family 
members who lost a loved one aboard Pan Am 103. As we move toward a 
trial, an appropriate gesture from this Congress to the families is the 
opportunity to witness the trial. The United States has made clear our 
determination in seeing these two men tried for their crime. Now we 
must be equally determined to let the victims' families, who want to, 
witness the trial.
  I offered language during Committee consideration of this bill to 
authorize the release of as much money as is necessary from Libyan 
assets frozen in the United States since 1986. These funds would be 
used to cover the travel expenses for all immediate family members who 
wish to go to the Hague. I can think of no one more appropriate to 
cover the cost of the families' travel expenses than Muammar Qaddafi.
  However, since the Foreign Relations Committee approved this bill, 
Congress has passed the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill. I 
am pleased that we were able to include language to allow money form 
the Crime Victim's Fund Act to be used to

[[Page S7372]]

cover the costs of the trial. It is important that we make this 
important gesture to the families at such a critical time, and I look 
forward to seeing this provision implemented.

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