    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1999, Book I)]
    [April 5, 1999]
    [Page 502]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Delivery of the Pan Am Flight 103 Bombing Suspects to
    Dutch Custody
    April 5, 1999

        I am gratified that the two suspects
    accused in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 were delivered by the
    United Nations to the custody of Dutch authorities. Legal proceedings
    will now take place in accordance with the U.S.-UK initiative for a
    Scottish trial before a Scottish court sitting in The Netherlands.
        The terrorist bombing of Pan Am 103 provoked outrage the world over.
    It led to more than 10 years of effort by the United States and United
    Kingdom, with the support of other nations, to bring the suspects to
    justice.
        I am especially thankful for the repeated intervention of U.N.
    Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who worked
    tirelessly to implement the Security Council resolutions. I am also
    deeply grateful for the efforts of President Mandela, President Mubarak, and the
    Saudi Ambassador to the United States, Prince Bandar, on behalf of King Fahd and Crown
    Prince Abdullah.
        But most important, today is a day to remember the men and women who
    lost their lives on Pan Am 103. I know their loved ones have suffered
    greatly. They, too, have labored hard to bring justice. Last December,
    on the 10th anniversary of the bombing, I renewed my pledge to the
    families that I would make my best efforts to bring the accused to
    trial. Now, at last, the road to justice has begun.

    Note: The President referred to suspects Lamen Khalifa Fhimah and Abdel
    Basset Ali al-Megrahi; President Nelson Mandela of South Africa; and
    President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt.