Libya lifts death sentences for nurses but makes demands

From Wikinews, the free news source you can write!

Monday, July 23, 2007

Libya

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Last week, Libya lifted the death sentence for five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinean doctor in the case about the HIV infection of hundreds of Libyan children. The deal called for a US$460 million settlement for the families of the children.

However, now Libya is holding out for a better deal. According to reports, Libya is seeking more money for the treatment of the children, as well as normalized relations with the European Union. Another sticking point in making a deal has been that Bulgaria and the EU are unwilling to strike any deal that admits the guilt of the medics, whose innocence they insist upon.

Ivaylo Kalfin

Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ivailo Kalfin spoke to reporters in Brussels. "We are at the stage now where the decision is purely political," he said. "I hope there will be enough will from the Libyans' side today in order to finalise talks ... If they show this will, then the transfer can be done very quickly."

"Allow me not to go into any details because that would make all the efforts that are being made in Libya right now meaningless," Kalfin was quoted to have said later in the day, according to Bulgarian national television.

Related news

• "Libyan court upholds death sentence for foreign medics in HIV case". Wikinews, July 11, 2007

Sources

• "Bulgaria hopes for quick Libya deal for HIV nurses". Reuters, July 23, 2007
• "Libya 'wants EU ties for medics'". BBC News Online, July 23, 2007
• Virginia Savova "Relief and anger in Bulgaria". BBC News Online, July 18, 2007
  

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