Articles
The Ruling Of The International Court Of Justice On The Lockerbie Issue
* 1/3/1998
The ruling of the International Court of Justice reached by an over whelming majority of 13 votes out of 16 concerning the complaint to the Court by the Government of Libya against America and Britain with respect to the Lockerbie issue, was acclaimed by many sources within international public opinion. This is due to the injustice meted against the Libyan people, during the past years sanctions were imposed upon Libya. In fact, Libya has endeavoured many times to resolve this problem by diplomatic means through a just trial and in accordance with the Montreal Treaty on civil aviation law did not stipulate that Libya should hand over its nationals. However, all these attempts were met by American and British opposition who demanded the extradition of the Libyan suspects.
Upon the decision of the International Court, the representative of the victims families Mr Jim Sawyer expressed that the American rejection was cruel, arrogant and inappropriate. This truly indicates the desire of all parties to attain a suitable solution acceptable by all and which dismisses American political blackmail exercised for ulterior motives.
AAPSO welcomes this ruling and calls for the immediate lifting of unjust economic and trade sanctions imposed on the Libyan people including prohibiting Libya from using its aviation outside the country. Moreover, AAPSO denounces the United States for practising a double standards policy vis-à-vis all international resolutions! picking and dismissing them according to its own whims.
In fact, events in Palestine are but a blatant example of such a policy. We demand the USA to desist from interfering in international organizations and manipulating them according to its interests completely disregarding the suffering endured by peoples.
* 12/6/1998
Africa Supports The Libyan Jamahireya And It’s Just Issue
The African Summit held in Burkina Fasso issued a courageous and wise resolution in support of Libya in its conflict with the USA and Britain concerning the Lockerbie case, after having heard the report of the African Ministerial Committee upon its return from Britain and taking note of the International Court of Justice’s decision of 27 February 1998.
Undoubtedly Libya has exerted all its efforts to resolve the conflict by peaceful and legal means and in compliance with international norms. It presented reasonable solution to shed light on the facts, a factor that promoted its credibility with international public opinion and their nations particularly Africa as it faces Anglo-American persistence and obstinacy to impose a blockade on the Libyan people for obvious Imperialist objectives.
This Libyan position was supported by the representatives of the victims’ families from numerous nationalities. Even some of them deviated from their own country’s position. The 34th African Summit demanded the lifting of sanctions imposed on the Libyan people promptly. The Summit requested OAU Member States to challenge the blockade for religious and ethical reasons because the blockade has greatly harmed the Libyan people. The Member States also requested that humanitarian assistance be extended regardless of the unjust blockade.
AAPSO welcomes this courageous resolution that expresses the extend of solidarity and close relations among the peoples of the African continent. AAPSO declares its total support of the Libyan people’s struggle and its government to lift this unjust blockade that is not based on any legal or ethical foundation. It demands that this measure be promptly ended and reaffirms its initial position, namely denouncing the blockade that adversely affects militant peoples. On this occasion AAPSO declares its total rejection of the US State Department’s statement announced by James Rubin that is an indication of arrogant racist thinking that disregards international law and the UN Charter.
The Afro-Asian Peoples support Libya as well as the African Summit’s resolution. For it is wise and courageous based on just humanitarian motives.
