Jane Harman: “I thought our Sicily stop was outstanding, which is why I brought it up. But I think that the improvements made to this…”

“I thought our Sicily stop was outstanding, which is why I brought it up. But I think that the improvements made to this amendment by the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) are noteworthy. What he did, as I understand it, was to insert a bit of the history here, the role of sanctions initiated by President Reagan, the role of international legal negotiations to get Libya to renounce terrorism and turn over terrorism suspects to international courts, and the role of diplomacy in previous administrations and by the British and others before the beginning of this administration. Though this administration did play a role, and I commend it, in President Qadhafi's stunning decision to do the right thing, that should be reflected, and is, in this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I will put two very important articles on this subject in the Record. One is by Dr. Flynt Leverett entitled 'Why Libya Gave Up the Bomb' from the January 23, 2004, New York Times; and the second is a Middle East Institute Policy Brief by two former assistant Secretaries of State and former ambassadors, Martin Indyk and Edward S. Walker entitled 'What Does Libya's Disarmament Teach About Rogue States?' dated April 7, 2004. Finally, let me make two other points. We have seen in recent days troubling allegations that Colonel Qadhafi was himself involved in ordering assassinations of Saudi leaders. These are, of course, press reports.”