Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs William Burns told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that Libya had taken "significant and, in some cases, irreversible steps" towards fulfilling its December 19 commitment to eliminate its weapons of mass destruction and delivery systems.

In his prepared remarks before the February 26 committee hearing, Burns said Libya "has begun to clear a path to better relations with the United States."

At the same time, the assistant secretary expressed concern over the Libyan Prime Minister's recent equivocation over Libya's acceptance of responsibility for the 1988 Pan Am 103 bombing, but said the United States "sought and received an official, public retraction."

"We have been crystal clear that U.S.-Libyan relations can only be rebuilt if we develop confidence in the Libyan regime's commitment to repudiate its past record of support for terrorism and search for weapons of mass destruction. We will not compromise this principle," he said.

Developments in Libya

William J. Burns,
Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs
Remarks Before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Washington, DC
February 26, 2004

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for this opportunity to speak with you and other members of the committee on developments in Libya. They represent a major advance in our collective efforts to halt state-sponsored terrorism and the proliferation of the world's most dangerous weapons.

After decades of hostility, U.S.-Libyan relations are at a turning point. Since its historic announcement on December 19, [2003], Libya has taken significant and, in some cases, irreversible steps to implement its commitment to eliminate weapons of mass destruction (WMD), and the missile systems to deliver them, as well as to cooperate in the war on terrorism. In so doing, it has begun to clear a path to better relations with the United States.

Our engagement with Libya will be guided by two overarching principles. First, Libyan action, not promises or an artificial time line, will drive U.S. policy. Second, any evidence of Libyan backtracking on its commitments will result in a reevaluation of our bilateral engagement. We were gravely concerned by the Libyan Prime Minister's public equivocation over Libya's acceptance of responsibility for the Pan Am 103 bombing. We sought and received an official, public retraction. We have been crystal clear that U.S.-Libyan relations can only be rebuilt if we develop confidence in the Libyan regime's commitment to repudiate its past record of support for terrorism and search for weapons of mass destruction. We will not compromise this principle.

As Assistant Secretary DeSutter will describe in more detail, Libyan cooperation since its December 19 commitment to eliminate weapons of mass destruction and longer-range missile programs has been excellent. In recognition of that tangible progress, I met with Libyan representatives in London on February 6 and previewed the steps announced by the White House today. These include the lifting of the passport restriction on travel to Libya, modification of sanctions to permit travel-related expenditures in Libya, permission for U.S. companies with pre-sanctions holdings to negotiate the terms of their re-entry (subject to U.S. approval before implementation or the subsequent lifting of relevant sanctions), agreement to open a Libyan Interests Section in Washington, the dispatch of a U.S. health delegation to assess potential cooperation, and an invitation for a Libyan delegation to come and discuss future educational opportunities for Libyan students in the United States.

I emphasized in the February 6 meeting that tangible progress in our bilateral relationship would depend upon continued, good faith implementation by Libya of its commitments on terrorism, WMD, and missiles. I also stressed that Libyan actions to reform its political and economic system, to institute and respect human rights, and to play a constructive role in the region will be important factors in shaping a more normal relationship.

This is a broad agenda, requiring greater diplomatic engagement with Libya. To make this happen, we will augment the number of U.S. diplomats at our Interests Section in Tripoli as required and expect to notify the Congress soon about our intention to establish a freestanding Liaison Office. This will not yet constitute a reopening of our Embassy, but reflects the need to conduct a greater volume of business directly with the Libyan Government.

Libya remains on the list of state sponsors of terrorism. Before this changes, we will need to confirm that Libya has implemented a strategic decision to repudiate terrorism as a tool of foreign policy and to break any residual ties it may have to any terrorist organization. This evaluation is on-going. We place the highest importance on Libya fully adhering to its Pan Am 103 commitments, including on terrorism. These undertakings were secured in large measure as a result of the determination and courage of the families of the victims of Pan Am 103. They can take pride in helping push Libya out of the terrorism business and setting a model for other states, which will save innocent lives in the future.

Mr. Chairman, U.S. diplomacy, sanctions, and a clear commitment to take all steps necessary to halt the spread of weapons of mass destruction helped persuade the Libyan leadership that a radical course correction was required for it to safeguard its interests and the well-being of its people. As Libya takes credible steps to rejoin the international community, we will continue to seek the guidance and cooperation of this committee, the Congress, and many others to shape an appropriate response, including the easing of other economic sanctions. We will work closely with you to ensure that the Congress and Administration deliver a strong, unequivocal message that Libya has made the right choice, in fact the only choice, for improved relations with the United States and the international community.