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New Jersey Woman Says New Disclosure On Libya-Pan Am 103 Link Is Vindicating

CHERRY HILL, NJ (CBS) - The mother of a New Jersey man who was killed in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, says she isn't surprised by a new revelation from a former high-level Libyan official.

A Swedish tabloid is quoting Libya's former justice minister -- who resigned in the wake of unrest in that country (see related story) -- that he has evidence dictator Moammar Gadahafi personally ordered the attack.

Eileen Monetti and her husband, Bob, of Cherry Hill, lost their 20-year-old son, Rick, in the attack.

While Eileen Monetti says she's not surprised, there is a feeling of vindication in the disclosure.

"It's a relief," Eileen Monetti told KYW Newsradio today.  "There are still people, especially in the United Kingdom and in Scotland, who believe that the Libyans were not behind the bombing.  They had mounted a campaign and they had since 1991 when the indictments came down."

Monetti says the US Departments of State and Justice told the couple several years ago that it was believed Libya was definitely behind the attack.

She says the event truly was the first major terror attack against America, and she's hopeful that the dictator will eventually be held accountable for his deeds.

Reported by Mark Abrams, KYW Newsradio 1060.

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