DATE=5/4/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CONGRESS / LIBYA (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-261991
BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=

VOICED AT: 


INTRO:   Members of the U-S Congress say they will not 
tolerate any attempts by the Clinton administration to 
soften U-S policy towards Libya.   V-O-A's Paula 
Wolfson reports the stern warnings were directed at 
the U-S State Department.

TEXT:    The atmosphere was tense in a Senate hearing 
room when a top State Department official testified 
about Libya.

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Near East Affairs 
Ronald Neumann was hit with a barrage of questions 
from angry and frustrated Senators.

The Chairman of the Subcommittee on Near Eastern and 
South Asian affairs set the tone for the hearing in 
his opening comments.   Kansas Republican Sam 
Brownback says he fears the Clinton administration is 
making positive overtures to Tripoli.

            ///Brownback act///

      Unfortunately, rather than the icy cold 
      hostility which I would have expected from the 
      U-S government towards Libya at this point in 
      time, I have perceived a slow warming.

            ///end act///

Mr. Neumann said there has been no change in U-S 
policy.  He said Libya has taken a few positive steps  
-- most notably by sending the two suspects in the Pan 
Am 103 bombing to the Netherlands for trial.  But he 
stressed much more is needed.

            ///Neumann act///

      Libya should comply with the U-N Security 
      Council resolutions including the payment of 
      appropriate compensation, acceptance of 
      responsibility for the actions of its officials, 
      renunciation of, and an end to, support for 
      terrorism, and cooperation with the Pan Am 103 
      trial and investigation.

            ///end act///

The Deputy Assistant Secretary of State said there has 
been no deal with Libya that would restrict 
prosecutors in the case.  He also downplayed a recent 
visit to Libya by a State Department team sent to 
review a travel ban imposed in 1981.  He said the ban 
is the result of U-S law designed to ensure the safety 
of Americans abroad.

            ///Neumann act///

      Because of the nature of the statute, we did not 
      consider it as part of the sanctions regime. 
      It's not.  We don't consider it as a political 
      symbol.

            ///end act///

The Senate recently passed a resolution that stresses 
support for the travel ban.  The State Department is 
still studying the recommendations of the team sent to 
Libya about a month ago. (SIGNED)

NEB/PW/KBK



04-May-2000 12:28 PM EDT (04-May-2000 1628 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.