Russ Feingold: “Libya's decision to abandon its illegal weapons programs, and today's news that the verification process has been…”

“Libya's decision to abandon its illegal weapons programs, and today's news that the verification process has been successfully completed, and the fact that Libya is cooperating in international counterterrorism efforts, are tremendously positive developments that make our world safer. Libya's experience demonstrates that countries have more to gain by acting responsibly and abiding by international norms than by seeking weapons of mass destruction. However, the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries does not mean that Libya's progress on all fronts has been satisfactory. According to the State Department's 2005 human rights report, Libya's human rights record remained poor last year, with Libyan citizens unable to change their government and subject to severe restrictions of their civil liberties. As we begin developing a new relationship with Libya, we must continue to press Libya to improve its human rights record and governance problems, and to address the cases pending in U.S. courts with regard to its terrorist activities of the 1980s. ____________________”