Plane with Libyan nuclear equipment arrives in US

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, January 28, 2004

Plane with Libyan nuclear equipment arrives in US

An American C-17 transport plane carrying components and materials of Libya's nuclear weapons and missiles arrived in Tennessee, in the United States, on Tuesday, the White House announced.

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An American C-17 transport plane carrying components and materials of Libya's nuclear weapons and missiles arrived in Tennessee, in the United States, on Jan. 27, the White House announced.

The 55,000 pounds (27,500 kilograms) of components and materials, including guidance sets for long-range missiles, stock and centrifuge parts to enrich uranium, had been moved to a "secure facility" for analysis, White House spokesman Scott McClellan told a press conference.

The shipment from Libya, the second of its kind, was considered a part of Libyan President Omar Muammer lal Gaddafi's pledge to abandon the development of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

A plane carrying the "most sensitive documentation associated with the Libyan nuclear weapons program" arrived in the United States last week, McClellan said.

The spokesman said although the shipments were "only the beginning of the elimination of Libya's weapons," they reflected the "real progress in Libya meeting its commitments."

He also announced that Libya has already begun destroying its unfilled chemical munitions.

"The world can see that Colonel Gaddafi is keeping his commitment," said the spokesman. He noted that as Libya takes essential steps to demonstrate its seriousness, "its good faith will be returned and Libya can regain a secure and respected place among the nations."

The spokesman considered Gaddafi's decision to abandon WMD a "courageous" one. However, he did not say the United States was ready to lift the economic sanctions upon Libya.

"Obviously, there is more to do," he said.

The United States severed diplomatic relations with Libya in 1981 and imposed sweeping sanctions on the country in 1986 over its alleged support for terrorism.

The United Nations Security Council also imposed sweeping economic sanctions on Libya in 1992 after it failed to surrender two Libyans accused of blowing up a plane over Lockerbie on Dec. 21, 1988, killing 270 people, 189 of whom were Americans.

The UN sanctions were lifted in September last year, one month after Libya agreed to pay 2.7 billion US dollars in compensation to families of the Lockerbie bombing victims and accept responsibility for the bombing.

Last month, Libya also announced its decision to dismantle programs of weapons of mass destruction, after nearly one year of secret talks with the United States and Britain.

Many countries have welcomed Libya's decision, and US President George W. Bush also pledged to reward Libya's steps toward disarmament, including possibly easing or lifting US sanctions against the country and restoring diplomatic relations.

Source: Xinhua

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