8th April 1999

The handover of the Lockerbie bombing suspects

stalemate: a situation in which neither side in an argument can win and in which no progress can be made

third country: a country which is neither the United Kingdom nor the USA : most victims were British or American

diplomatic effort: work by diplomats

legal negotiations: discussions by lawyers trying to teach an agreement

Kofi Annan says he’s gratified and relieved by the successful handover of the two suspects which he describes as a vital step forward in the long ordeal which has faced all those involved with the Lockerbie bombing. As soon as the UN Security Council was informed of the handover, a range of sanctions were suspended. They had included a ban on air-links, an arms embargo, and restrictions on the sale of oil producing equipment. Mr Annan acknowledged that the pressure provided by seven years of sanctions had played a role in persuading the Libyan leader, Colonel Gadaffi, to agree to the Lockerbie compromise.

gratified: it gives him pleasure or satisfaction (a formal word)

suspects: the people who, it is thought likely, caused the crash

sanctions: measures taken by countries to restrict trade and official contacts with countries that have broken international law

ban: airlines were not allowed to fly to Libya

embargo: an order made by a government to stop trade with another country

restrictions: an official rule that limits what you can do