[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 14 (Monday, April 12, 1999)]
[Page 587]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on the Delivery of the Suspects Accused of the 1988 Bombing of 
Pan Am Flight 103

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 President Nelson Mandela of South Africa 
and President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt.