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Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
August 14, 2008

U.S. - Libya Joint Statement - Comprehensive Claims Settlement Agreement

Below is the text of a joint statement by the United States and Libya issued today in Tripoli, Libya following the August 14 signing of a comprehensive claims settlement agreement.

Begin Text:

The United States and Libya concluded a comprehensive claims settlement agreement on August 14 in Tripoli. Both parties welcomed the establishment of a process to provide fair compensation for their respective nationals, and thereby turn their focus to the future of their bilateral relationship. They also underscored the benefits an expansion of ties would provide for both countries as well as for the American and Libyan peoples.
End Text.

UNITED STATES EMBASSY
Tripoli, Libya
August 14, 2008

Remarks by Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs C. David Welch
at the Signing of a Comprehensive Claims Settlement Agreement

“Good afternoon.  Dr. Fituri, thank you very much.  To all my Libyan colleagues, so many of whom who worked so hard for so long to reach this day, I also wish to extend you my gratitude.

“Ladies and gentlemen, today the United States and Libya concluded a comprehensive settlement of claims between our two countries.  This will turn a new page in our relationship.

“The agreement that we signed today is designed to resolve the last major historical issue that has stood in the way of a more normal relationship between our two countries. 

“Under this agreement, each country’s citizens can receive fair compensation for past incidents.  When fulfilled, the agreement we signed today will permit Libya and the United States to move ahead in developing their relations, which both Libya and the United States agree is an important national interest.

“The conclusion of this agreement has been made possible also by action by the American Congress, which passed a new law that President Bush signed on August 4.

“Yesterday, when I met with Leader Qhadafi, I conveyed the best wishes of the American government and the President of the United States on this occasion, and conveyed a message from the President to the Leader.

“I am optimistic that this agreement will be implemented quickly.  If so, it will mark the completion of a process that began in 2001, that has already seen Libya take steps forward as a model among nations to renounce terror and weapons of mass destruction.

“As I said, today marks an important day.  We look forward to developing this relationship in every aspect, and to putting U.S-Libyan relations on a sound basis in the interests of the peoples of both countries.

“Thank you very much.”

Press Statement
Robert Wood, Acting Deputy Spokesman
Washington, DC
August 14, 2008

Libya Claims Settlement

On August 14, 2008, the United States and Libya signed a comprehensive claims settlement agreement in Tripoli.

The agreement is designed to provide rapid recovery of fair compensation for American nationals with terrorism-related claims against Libya. It will also address Libyan claims arising from previous U.S. military actions. The agreement is being pursued on a purely humanitarian basis and does not constitute an admission of fault by either party. Rather, pursuant to the agreement an international Humanitarian Settlement Fund will be established in Libya to collect the necessary resources for the claims on both sides. No U.S. appropriated funds will be contributed, and any contributions by private parties will be voluntary. Each side will be responsible for distributing the resources it receives to its own nationals and to ensure the dismissal of any related court actions.

The U.S. Congress has supported this initiative by passing the Libyan Claims Resolution Act, which was signed into law by the President on August 4. The law authorizes the Secretary of State to immunize the assets of the Humanitarian Settlement Fund so they will reach the intended recipients. The law also provides that Libya’s immunity from terrorism-related court actions will be restored when the Secretary of State certifies that the United States has received sufficient funds to pay the Pan Am 103 and La Belle Discotheque settlements and to provide fair compensation for American deaths and physical injuries in other pending cases against Libya. The resources under the agreement are expected to be sufficient to fulfill further purposes such as additional recoveries for death and physical injury because of special circumstances, claims for emotional distress, and terrorism-related claims by commercial parties.

To ensure a successful outcome to this initiative, the final remaining steps are to establish the Humanitarian Settlement Fund and for it to assemble the necessary resources.

Remarks by Chargé d'Affaires ad interim, J. Christoper Stevens on the Occasion of U.S. Independence Day 2008

Ladies and Gentlemen, Dr. Siala, Friends:

Welcome to our celebration of Independence Day, and to the American School of Tripoli.

The Fourth of July is meant to be celebrated with friends and family. I am very pleased that you – our friends in Libya – have joined us.

 In the United States, we commemorate our Independence Day as a day of patriotic celebration – with parades, speeches, fireworks, and music.

 It is a day on which we give voice to the ideals that Americans aspire to – freedom and democracy, tolerance and pluralism, equality and diversity.

 The Fourth of July is also a family and community celebration. We have barbecues and picnics. We eat ice cream and watermelon. We play softball.

 These bonds of family, friendship, and community, of course, are significant to all of us all over the world.

 In our Embassy, we are working with our Libyan counterparts to re-build official and business ties between the United States and Libya.

 We also have made it a priority to establish the bonds of friendship between Americans and Libyans.

 We are fostering cooperation among our scientists and academics.

 We are creating opportunities for Libyan and American students and researches to pursue their studies in both Libya and the United States.

 And we are working to achieve liberal visa policies in both countries so that more Americans and Libyans can get to know one another.

 All of these things are critical to developing appositive and lasting U.S.-Libyan relationship.

 I am pleased to report that we are making progress and that the rapport between Americans and Libyans is steadily gaining strength.

 Those of you here tonight have already joined us in developing a Libyan-American friendship.

 We look forward to continuing our work together in the hope that our efforts will benefit Americans and Libyans far into the future.

Thank you.

On August 14, 2008, the United States and Libya signed a comprehensive claims settlement agreement in Tripoli.

The Embassy of the United States has moved.

The Chancery is located off Jeraba Street directly behind the Libyan Swiss Clinic. The main Embassy number is 091-220-3239.The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy is located at the U.S. Ambassador’s Residence, on the connection road between Al Serraj and Al Krimia in the Serraj neighborhood.  The Chinese Ambassador’s residence is on the same road.  The Consular Section’s phone number is 091-220-0125.  This also remains the after-hours number for emergencies involving American citizens.  While the Consular Section provides walk-in service for some services such as notarials and adding visa pages, please call for an appointment if possible.  U.S. visa applications for residents of Libya are processed by the U.S. Embassy in Tunis.

Secretary Rice Announces the Publication of the “Country Report on Human Rights Practices for 2007”

Remarks by Secretary Rice, March 11, 2008, Washington D.C.

 

Good afternoon. I am pleased today to join Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor – Jonathan Farrar – in announcing the publication of the “Country Report on Human Rights Practices for 2007”.

 

In every region of the world, men and women are working peacefully, and often at great risk to themselves and their families, to secure human rights and fundamental freedoms, to follow their consciences and speak their minds without fear, to choose those who would govern them and to hold their leaders accountable and to achieve equal justice under the law.

 

These aspirations, though common to all of us, are unfortunately still denied to millions worldwide, often by their own governments. In too many countries, champions of human rights are denounced and persecuted, vilified as traitors or targeted for repression – just for insisting upon the freedoms enshrined in the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

 

In other countries, even in those that have recently begun transitions to democracy, human rights are not fully secured, perhaps because of weak institutions or corruption, which undermine the rule of law, perhaps because of conflict or insecurity, which intrude upon the liberty of individuals, or perhaps because of crushing poverty and disease, which can cause even the most stalwart citizens to lose hope that their lives will improve.

 

A nation’s path to a future of human rights protected by law is neither smooth nor straight. Along the way, there are bound to be stumbles and setbacks. Even under the best of circumstances, it is not easy to transform democratic ideals into effective democratic institutions. Yet despite every challenge, the courageous champions of human rights persevere. They are an inspiration to their fellow citizens and to all of us. The high standard that they set continues to give hope to people everywhere who work peacefully for their liberty, their dignity, and their rights.

 

We gather today to support them and it is our hope that this Human Rights Report will highlight the obstacles that still stand in their way, so that they may bear the mantle of justice at least -- at less risk to themselves and to their families. This document is collected and written with the optimism that no corner of the earth is permanently condemned to tyranny. As President Bush has said, “Freedom can be resisted, and freedom can be delayed, but freedom cannot be denied.” In the long run, we are confident that citizens who sacrifice for their dignity and their rights will prevail, just as the Havels and the Mandelas did before them.

 

Change may, indeed change will, take time, but change will come. As long as citizens around the world champion the universal values of human rights, there is hope. And we, in the United States, continue to believe that it is our duty to support these courageous men and women. And it is in that spirit that I am pleased to present these Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2007.

 

Please click here to read the 2007 Libya Country Report (English).

Application Fees for Non-Immigrant Visas to Increase

Effective January 1, 2008, the application fee for a U.S. non-immigrant visa will increase from $100 to $131.  This increase allows the Department to recover the costs of security and other enhancements to the non-immigrant visa application process. 

The Department is required by law to attempt to recover the cost of processing non-immigrant visas through the collection of the Machine-Readable Visa application fee. Because of new security-related costs, new information technology systems, and inflation, the $100 Machine-Readable Visa fee is lower than the actual cost of processing non-immigrant visas.  In fact, the $100 fee was already lower than the cost of processing non-immigrant visas when the fee was reviewed as a part of the cost of service study in 2004.  The Department has been absorbing the additional cost.  We are now collecting 10 fingerprints from each applicant, and the cost charged by the FBI to review those fingerprints no longer allows us to do this.  The application fee has increased twice since September 11, 2001, the last time in 2002.   

Executive Summary of the International Religious Freedom Report

Promotion of religious freedom is a core objective of U.S. foreign policy (link)

  • 2007 Libya IRF report(English)

    •   

    Educational and Training Opportunities in the U.S.  (link)

     

    		 

    U.S. Agencies Ramp Up Science, Technical Collaboration in Libya

    Washington -- A year after renewal of U.S.-Libyan diplomatic relations, scientists from technical agencies in both nations are moving forward on a range of collaborations. 

    Activities include health care delivery, water management, seismic monitoring, solar power technology and science education.  (more) 

    Diversity Visa Applicants Must Meet Eligibility Requirements

    Washington -- Each year, the State Department holds a lottery -- a computerized random drawing -- to select the names of persons who may apply for one of the 50,000 visas made available through the Diversity Immigrant Visa program. (more)

    BRIEFINGS AND STATEMENTS:

    Secretary Rice: Travel to Russia and the Middle East, October 11-18, 2007

    The Secretary will visit Moscow with Secretary of Defense Gates October 12-13 to engage in strategic security talks with their Russian counterparts, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov and Minister of Defense Anatoliy Serdyukov. The discussions will center on a number of security issues of mutual concern, including cooperation in the area of Missile Defense.  (more)

    Testimony of Ambassador David M. Satterfield

    Senior Advisor to the Secretary
    and Coordinator for Iraq David M. Satterfield
    Before the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
    United States House of Representatives
    October 2, 2007

    Chairman Waxman, Ranking Member Davis, members of the Committee, thank you for inviting me here today and for the opportunity to speak to the vital security that private security firms provide to our State Department personnel. (more)

    On-the-Record Briefing After Secretary Rice's Meeting with the P-5 Plus Germany Plus EU

    R. Nicholas Burns, Under Secretary for Political Affairs

    Waldorf-Astoria
    New York, New York
    September 28, 2007

    UNDER SECRETARY BURNS: Good morning, everyone. I'm here to brief you on the meeting that Secretary Rice just had with the Foreign Ministers of Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia. They met upstairs in the Secretary's room for about two hours, had a very detailed, extended discussion of our Iran strategy, of what we should do about it. (more) 

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