U.S., Britain and Libya begin talks to resolve Lockerbie issue

In this story: Libyan ambassador: talks 'useful' Closed consultations RELATED STORIES, SITES

From Ronni Berke, CNN United Nations Producer

UNITED NATIONS (CNN) -- Ambassadors from the United States, Britain and Libya met Tuesday to discuss how Libya can satisfy U.N. resolutions demanding it take responsibility for the Lockerbie bombing and compensate the victims' families.

In return, the United States and Britain would recommend that the Security Council lift sanctions against Libya.

The sanctions, which include a ban on air travel and some oil equipment, were suspended in 1999 after Libya handed over two suspects for trial in the Netherlands.

VIDEO CNN's Richard Roth reports on the U.S. and British refusal to lift sanctions from Libya Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

U.S. and British officials insist that Libya has to meet further requirements to have the sanctions permanently lifted -- including acknowledging responsibility for the Libyan intelligence agent found guilty in the bombing last month and compensating the victims' families.

After the one-hour meeting, the three ambassadors were subdued but positive about the discussions and expected them to continue at an unspecified date.

Libyan ambassador: talks 'useful'

Libyan Ambassador Abuzed Omar Dorda described the talks as "useful," and said his country was able to "put some of its concerns on the table." Dorda said he was optimistic that the Bush Administration would "discover that their interest is to cooperate with Libya and to normalize relations with Libya."

But he denied that the convicted Libyan, Abdel Basset al-Megrahi, was an intelligence agent. "He's not an (intelligence) official at all. Nobody could prove that he's an official," Dorda said.

British Ambassador Jeremy Greenstock said the discussions were "quite constructive." They discussed how the requirements of the resolution could be met "so that we can finally lift sanctions when those requirements are met," Greenstock said.

Acting U.S. Ambassador James Cunningham said "the goal of the process will be to focus on accountability, compensation as called for in the resolutions protecting the families and eventually lifting of sanctions."

Closed consultations

A senior U.S. official said the "harsh" tone taken by Libyan leader Colonel Moammar Gadhafi in recent days -- was not duplicated behind closed doors.

"He took notes and asked questions," said this official. "He didn't accept (U.N. requirements) ....but he didn't "reject anything out of hand."

During Tuesday's meeting. U.S. officials believe Dorda indicated Libya is "ready" to have a discussion. But the officials expect it will take some time before it's clear what Libya's final position will be.

Later Tuesday, the Security Council planned closed consultations on the Libyan issue. Diplomats from other countries have said the council would have already moved to lift the sanctions, if the United States and Britain did not have reservations.

CNN State Department Correspondent Andrea Koppel contributed to this report.

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