[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 86 (Wednesday, June 28, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6611-S6612]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 ATTACK ON PAN AM FLIGHT 103 AND LIBYA

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, I rise to speak about an issue of great 
importance to the State of New Jersey, to the United States of America, 
and to all of those who stand against acts of terrorism and violence: 
the attack on Pan Am flight 103.
  The attack on Pan Am flight 103 shocked the world and claimed the 
lives of 189 Americans, including 38 citizens from my home State of New 
Jersey.

[[Page S6612]]

  After these terrible attacks, and significant pressure from the 
international community, the Libyan Government finally agreed to pay 
$10 million to the families of those who were murdered.
  The Libyan Government still owes $2 million to these families, which 
it promised to pay as soon as it was removed from the state sponsor of 
terror list, an action the State Department announced on May 15. The 
45-day waiting period ended today, and the Libyans will be off the 
list. But we cannot allow them to be off the hook.

  Libya, according to a Washington Post article, declared yesterday 
that it no longer has a legal obligation to make the final payment of 
$2 million to the families of those killed. Libya is trying to argue 
that it doesn't have to pay this money because they were ``supposed'' 
to be taken off the terror list earlier. But what Libya forgets is that 
it had to earn the right to get off the terror list and that Libya's 
own actions are what delayed the process. In fact, the reason the 
process was delayed is because we discovered that the Libyans had been 
plotting to kill a member of the Saudi royal family, among other 
incidents.
  Why should American families be deprived of their payment because of 
Libya's mistakes? Libya's argument is not only factually incorrect, it 
is immoral. At a time when we are fighting terrorism around the world, 
at a time when our men and women in uniform are putting their lives on 
the line to protect us from terrorists, at a time when we should send a 
message to the world that terrorism and the murder of U.S. citizens 
cannot be tolerated, we cannot allow the Libyans to get away with at 
least paying these grieving families that which they are owed. This 
money is not going to bring back their loved ones. It is not going to 
heal the pain. But it is an obligation that should be met.
  Let me be clear: This money in no way absolves Libya of its actions 
in this incident. This money in no way will replace those who were 
murdered. This money in no way makes up for the loss, pain, and 
suffering of the families. But a promise made should be a promise kept, 
and Libya must keep its promise, period.
  I hope the Libyans hear this message loudly and clearly. I also hope 
the administration hears the message loudly and clearly. Our State 
Department should be advocating for American families, not for 
facilitating the Libyans in breaking their commitment. We should not 
allow any implementation of diplomatic engagement until the Libyans 
honor their commitment.
  I promise that, along with a number of other Members of Congress who 
represent families from different parts of the Nation who lost a loved 
one on Pan Am Flight 103, we will not rest until this payment is made, 
until the Libyans fulfill their promise. A promise made must be a 
promise kept. It is outrageous for the Libyans to act any other way. It 
would be equally as outrageous for our Government to act in any other 
way other than to make sure that we help these families in having this 
commitment honored.
  I thank the senior Senator from New Jersey, Mr. Lautenberg, who has 
been a leader on the Pan Am Flight 103 attacks from the beginning, 
continuing to fight for the citizens of New Jersey and all of the other 
families who suffered in these terrible attacks. I am proud to join 
him, now that I am in the Senate, in this effort. I am committed to 
making sure that these families ultimately receive the commitment and 
the fulfillment of that commitment that the Libyan Government made. Our 
Government should ensure that we do no less.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DeMINT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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