Bush Waives Two Restrictions on Libya

09/29/2005

Sep 28, 7:50 PM (ET)

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush on Wednesday issued an order to let U.S. companies work with Libya to destroy its stockpile of chemical weapons - a move the U.S. is taking in response to Libya’s voluntary efforts to disarm.

In another order, the president waived restrictions on Libya so it can refurbish eight C-130 aircraft the nation bought from the United States in the 1970s. Libya owns the aircraft, but never took possession of the planes that are stored in the U.S.

Bush’s actions waived certain restrictions of the Arms Export Control Act, which prohibits defense exports to Libya because it is on Washington’s list of states that sponsor terrorism. The waivers are in keeping with the U.S. commitment to unblock Libyan property in the United States and respond to Libya’s steps to disarm.

Last year, the United States took steps toward normalizing trade and investment with Libya, allowing the import of Libyan oil.

The moves followed Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi’s decision in 2003 to pay $2.7 billion in compensation to the families of the 270 people killed in the bombing of a Pan Am airliner over Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1988. The same year Libya agreed to dismantle its programs for weapons of mass destruction and allow U.N., American and British inspectors to visit the facilities.