Senators Commend DOJ for Commitment to Justice on Behalf of Lockerbie Victims; Urge Administration to Demand that the TNC Cooperate with U.S. Efforts

Press Release

Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez today released the response they received to a June 15 letter sent to Attorney General Holder urging the Justice Department to "do everything in [its] power to obtain information regarding and hold responsible the parties accountable for the bombing of Pan Am 103 and other terrorist acts perpetrated by Libyan officials," including pursuing former Libyan officials that may have crucial information about Qaddafi's terrorist activities.

The Justice Department acknowledged in its letter that "other individuals responsible for the murders may have escaped prosecution" and noted that media reports have indicated that former Libyan justice minister Mustapha Abdel-Jalil has claimed to have documents and other evidence implicating Qaddafi directly. Senators Menendez and Lautenberg have also urged the Administration to press the TNC for access to other Libyan officials, including former Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa.

In a letter to Secretary of State Clinton earlier this week Menendez noted that while Megrahi was convicted of conspiracy for planting the bomb that brought down Pan Am Flight 103, which killed 189 innocent Americans, it has always been known that he did not act alone and that we still do not know who ordered the bombing, who collected the intelligence to carry out the plan, who made the bomb and who -- in addition to Megrahi -- bears responsibility for this and other heinous attacks.

In addition, Senator Lautenberg recently wrote to Secretary Clinton asserting that any prosecution of Qaddafi before the International Criminal Court (ICC) must include Qaddafi's role in the Pan Am 103 and La Belle discotheque terror attacks. Lautenberg urged Secretary Clinton to work with Libya's transitional government to ensure that if Qaddafi is tried before the ICC he is charged with these terror attacks perpetrated by him and his regime.

"I commend DOJ for their commitment to justice for the families of the Pan Am 103 victims, and urge the Administration to continue exercising its influence and aggressively pursue all diplomatic channels to gain immediate access to any individuals with potential involvement or knowledge. I also expect the TNC to fully cooperate with U.S. investigations into the Pan Am bombing and other Qaddafi terror attacks. Additionally, it is essential that the TNC share any information held in government files and by former Qaddafi officials that relates to the Pan Am attacks and other incidents of terror perpetrated by the Qaddafi regime against American citizens," said Menendez.

"This is an important reminder to the world that this case remains open and active at the United State Department of Justice. Justice for the victims of Pan Am 103 demands that we continue to vigorously pursue all evidence and all individuals who played a role in this horrific terrorist attack. Abdel Basset al-Megrahi has been indicted in the United States, and we expect the Transitional National Council to cooperate as we seek answers," said Lautenberg.

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