Congressman Sherman Welcomes Restoration of U.S. Diplomatic Relations with Libya
Congressman Sherman Welcomes Restoration of U.S. Diplomatic Relations with Libya
Congressman Brad Sherman on Monday welcomed the State Department decision to upgrade diplomatic relations with Libya and remove it from a list of state sponsors of terrorism, a designation that placed sanctions on the Libyan regime and prevented deepening relations between the U.S. and Tripoli.
Sherman, the ranking member of the House International Relations Subcommittee on International Terrorism and Nonproliferation, was notified in advance of the State Department announcement.
Sherman said the move is a logical step in the rehabilitation of the Libyan regime in response to Tripoli's continued implementation of its decision to abandon nuclear and other unconventional weapons programs and its support for terrorism. He also said that the Libya experience is a model for other countries.
"The change we have seen in Libya is proof that multilateral sanctions do work," Sherman said. "When the international community is united and focused, punitive economic and political measures will have a positive effect. When a country like Libya takes the desired steps, the U.S. will likewise improve relations with that country.
"It seems every day I read articles in major newspapers, written by high profile foreign policy experts, arguing that sanctions will not work and that we need to engage' countries like Iran," Sherman added. "But that is at best only half the equation - Libya shows that a mix of carrots and sticks is the right approach to countries that support terrorism or seek to develop nuclear weapons."
The State Department announcement sets off a 45 day review period, during which Congress will fully examine the decision and confirm that Libya has indeed given up support of terrorist organizations. Sherman also urged that Libya fully implement any settlement imposed by U.S. courts for the 1986 La Belle disco bombing, in which 3 American servicemen were killed and dozens wounded.
"The U.S. government has taken a tough stand on compensation for Lockerbie victims, but a relatively hands-off approach to La Belle victims," Sherman said. "I hope that the State Department will ensure that these victims and survivors are compensated."
http://www.house.gov/list/press/ca27_sherman/pr_060515.html