Benjamin Gilman: “Libya has already established a clear track record of noncompliance with the U.N. Security Council Resolutions 731, 748…”

“Libya has already established a clear track record of noncompliance with the U.N. Security Council Resolutions 731, 748 and 883. The failure of the Libyan Government to hand over for trial the two suspects in the Pan Am bombing is in itself a matter of grave concern, threatening peace and security in that entire region. The world community would appear to have very few remaining alternatives in that regard. They include additional sanctions and the imposition of penalties for noncompliance and some kind of collective security action directed against the Libyan regime. I am certain that most of us would agree that we should try to put in place any and all measures designed to bring Libya into compliance before we undertake any effort for a collective security operation to establish a blockade or initiate some kind of military action against Libya. I would also note that the U.N. already has in place oil field equipment sanctions against Libya. Additional sanctions in this bill on investment in Libya's oil sector simply complements and further strengthens those existing sanctions. Furthermore, we should not lose sight of the fact that there are reports of increased violations of the existing U.N. sanctions on Libya. Adoption of these amendments today will help us to address those problems.”