Scotland Defends Lockerbie Bomber Release

FBI Director Said Move Was "Obviously a Political Decision"; Scotland Leaders Deflect Criticism

(AP)  Scotland's government defended itself Sunday against unrelenting criticism from the U.S. over the decision to free the Pan Am Flight 103 bomber on compassionate grounds.

Abdel Baset al-Megrahi, a Libyan convicted of killing 270 people in the 1988 airline bombing, was released Thursday because he is terminally ill with prostate cancer. He has returned to his native Libya to die.

His release was met with outrage by families of the U.S. victims of the bombing and criticized by President Barack Obama as "highly objectionable."

FBI director Robert Mueller said in a letter to Scotland's government that al-Megrahi's release would give comfort to terrorists all over the world. Speaking Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union," Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that releasing the bomber was "obviously a political decision."

But Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond told BBC Radio that it was wrong to assume that all those affected by the bombing were opposed to al-Megrahi's release.

"I understand the huge and strongly held views of the American families, but that's not all the families who were affected by Lockerbie," Salmond said. "As you're well aware, a number of the families, particularly in the U.K., take a different view and think that we made the right decision."

The explosion of a bomb hidden in the cargo hold of a Pan Am flight over Lockerbie, Scotland, killed all 259 people on the plane and 11 on the ground in Britain's worst terrorist attack.

Britain and the U.S. have criticized the lavish reception al-Megrahi received Thursday, when a flag-waving crowd of hundreds greeted him at Tripoli's airport. Britain is reconsidering a planned visit to Libya by Prince Andrew, a British trade envoy, in response.

"This is a real setback for the anti-terrorist cause and takes our relations with Libya back to where they were for too long, a bad place," U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman, a Connecticut Independent, told CNN.

Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi's office said Sunday he would go ahead with a trip to Libya on Aug. 30, despite international protests over al-Megrahi's welcome. Berlusconi had long planned to meet with Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi to mark the first anniversary of an important immigration accord that has helped stem the tide of illegal migrants reaching Italian shores.

But a Berlusconi ally, Margherita Boniver, told Corriere della Sera that the premier would "find the right words to express how we feel about such a serious episode."

Some bereaved relatives, particularly in Britain, dispute al-Megrahi's 2001 conviction, and a 2007 Scottish judicial review of his case found grounds for an appeal. He was convicted largely on the evidence of a Maltese shopkeeper, who identified al-Megrahi as having bought a shirt - scraps of which were later found wrapped around the bomb.

Al-Megrahi has maintained his innocence, but last week dropped his appeal so that he could be released on compassionate grounds.

The British and Scottish governments have denied that they struck a deal with Libya to free the Lockerbie bomber in return for greater access to the country's oil and gas.

Libyan officials have claimed al-Megrahi's fate had formed part of trade talks in recent years, while the country's leader Moammar Gadhafi on Friday thanked British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Queen Elizabeth II for "encouraging the Scottish government" to take their decision - a claim denied by both Downing Street and Buckingham Palace.

Lieberman said allegations al-Megrahi's fate was tied to British oil interests were shocking, and urged Brown to authorize an inquiry into the circumstances of the release.

"I don't want to believe that they are true, but they are hanging so heavily in the air that I hope that our friends in Britain will convene an independent investigation of this action by the Scottish justice minister to release a mass murderer," he told CNN.

Brown's office insists that the government in London does not meddle in the work of Scotland's administration - which has wide powers over domestic issues, but has no say in areas such as defense or foreign affairs.

"No one I think seriously believes we made any other decision except for the right reasons," Salmond said. "I think it was the right decision. I also absolutely know it was for the right reasons."

He said al-Megrahi's release was consistent with Scotland's legal system, which allows for the release of prison inmates who are terminally ill.

[nor-one]

Why would anybody in the real world care what any american says about a court decision in another country??? If the big mouth a-holes in america care what legal decisions are made in other countries, have the guts to join the world court! Otherwise keep your stupid opinions to yourself.

[endurorob]

At 2.30pm today in the Parliament's Main Chamber, there will be a Ministerial statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice on the decision to release Mr Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi. Following the statement, there will be an opportunity for Members to put questions to the Minister.



So following his statement today members of Parliament cn question this. Kinda late. The guy is already partying in Lybia. In another 3 months he will be miraculously cured.

[USSAmerikan]

American foreign policy at its best!!!! Well, that is a welcome departure from the Bush days, huh boys? This guy symbolizes all that is wrong this world... Families with babies, Children on their way back from holiday, honeymooners starting their life together, folks in the sunset of their life visiting the land of their ancestors... All innocent, all murdered in cold blood by Lybian nationals, and the only person who paid was let go to a hero's welcome? And we were caught flat-footed and did little more than nothing to make the Scots realize how bad of an idea it would be to release this evil incarnate? Ms. Clinton, a little more attention to detail would be welcome!!!!!!!!

[kmccdoc]

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/ - watch it live

At 2.30pm today in the Parliament's Main Chamber, there will be a Ministerial statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice on the decision to release Mr Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi. Following the statement, there will be an opportunity for Members to put questions to the Minister.

[johnbrown8888]

visit:

http://www.boycottscotland.com/

check it out

[Lawyers-Guns-n-Money]

by kmccdoc August 24, 2009 7:52 AM EDT

However many of the comments posted in this site show a level of ignorance about the rest of the world that is really breathtaking. To the rest of the world you show an ignorance about anything outside your own borders and give yourselves a bad name.
===================================

Stick around, you ain't seen nothin' yet. We're extremely proud of our ignorance and are more than willing to flaunt it to the rest of the world.

At least we're still #1 at something.

[Ms_enza]

We're no.1! We're no.1! We're no.1!

Oh wait, that's a bad thing...

We're no one! We're no one!

[kmccdoc]

As a Scot I totally disagree with his release. The Scottish Parliament is going to debate the issue at 2.30pm GMT - you can watch it online. There you will see that mosts Scots do not agree with this decision at all. We also understand why Americans are so angry (as we are too).

However many of the comments posted in this site show a level of ignorance about the rest of the world that is really breathtaking. To the rest of the world you show an ignorance about anything outside your own borders and give yourselves a bad name.

Try reading and researching for yourselves.

[Ms_enza]

Okay then, so about golf... A game? Or, an attack on the vestiges of sanity in an insane world?

[Ms_enza]

This guy may be guilty as sin, but his trial was sham and the evidence presented against him wouldn't have been accepted in ANY US court.

Those in power know it.

[Ms_enza]

A "first world" country with a newly created record of human rights abuse including torture and murder of prisoners has no moral high ground on which to make its indignant stand.

How are those "right wing:" death squads working out there, America?

[formrusmcsgt]

Scotland's government defended itself Sunday against unrelenting criticism...
---
They may try, but there is no defense for doing favors for a mass murderer.

[Ms_enza]

What? Did Scotland help with Nagasaki and Hiroshima? I don't seem to recall Scotland killing over 1,000,000 Vietnamese women and children. How many Iraqis dead so far?

Has Blackwater been prosecuted?

America's chickens are beginning to roost.

[Lawyers-Guns-n-Money]

by brianbwb-2009 August 23, 2009 9:04 PM EDT
How ignorant and transparently sociopathic the protesters are.

The conviction was based on the most illogical evidence, that a man bought a shirt, and put it into a suitcase with a bomb, and the remnants of the shirt were found at the site.
==============================

Pfffft. He's got 'GUILTY' written all over his face! Okay, maybe it's facial hair...and he kinda resembles Joe Paterno.

I changed my mind. Based on that evidence; he's not guilty anymore.

[brianbwb-2009]

LOL! good point, I didn't notice the resemblance before.

Actually my point was that whether guilty or not, (and the evidence for guilt was so weak that it wouldn't pass muster in a US court) his release was on the grounds that he is dying of cancer, not his guilt or innocence which, based on suspect evidence, was already determined.

Compassionate release is nothing new to Scottish law, and is not a violation of international law. In this case, the "I-s" were dotted and the "T-s" were crossed. It is Scotland's business, and theirs alone. Of course many posters here don't care about law, and as such they are no better than the bomber(s) whoever they are.

Of all those complaining on these threads, how many of them gave a penny to help the victims families? Most likely none, but they will use the victims' families' pain as an excuse to vent hatred, and advocate a US world government and disregard for international law, so their whining false anger rings quite hollow.

[hermitdave]

WHO could blame the DUTCH people for ignoring criticism from a country that buys Muslim men to use as torture victims, holds them for years never convicting them of any crime, then letting them go and complaining because some of them were mad enough to try and kill representative Cheney Crusaders from the country that bought them. Is it possible that Americans will ever get smart enough to understand that they have been LIED to by the Cheney crime family and Afghanistan nor Iraq had anything to do with 9/11/01. Or just remain stupid and let Obama continue the LIE as more Cheney crusaders are killed and maimed fighting for the Afghan oil pipe line, the heroin business men and the return of western big oil to Iraq.

[highlander2005]

Americans really have to ask themselves this ; Why are no UK family's of those killed in the PA103 outrage complaining or being vocal against the release? Could it be that they all understand that the evidence was badly flawed and Maghrahi should never have been jailed in the first place. Americans should also look at the releationship between the UK Government of Gordon Brown and the Scottish Government, there is no love lost there, ever since the Labor party were defeated by the Independence party of the SNP in Scotland in 2007. Brown has being doing everything to stitch up the SNP.Perhaps the American News Media should start being more honest in its reporting, instead of whipping up anti Scottish sentiment. We are now hearing that it was the British Embassy that handed out Scottish Flags in Tripoli. The British Embassy comes under the UK Government andwere aiming for maximum embaressment for Scotland

[wyzguy11]

"Highly objectionable" Come on Mr. President. Did you see those animals giving him a "heroes welcome" in Libya?!!

Time to ban any Scottish imports and all foreign Scottish contracts!!

This is nonscense!

[brianbwb-2009]

Right, try boycotting Brent North Sea Crude. I dare you.

The lack of education of some of these posters is almost amazing. I would have said "amazing", but I am already getting used to it.

[Dadgumgerman]

Highly objectable indeed. This is a travesty and thoughtless denial of all the pain and carnage beset at this goon's hand. Shame on Scotland, shame on Libya. That's why we must not forget 9-11-01, and support our troops in Afghanistan! Don't forget about Ghaddafi either!

[brianbwb-2009]

How ignorant and transparently sociopathic the protesters are.

The conviction was based on the most illogical evidence, that a man bought a shirt, and put it into a suitcase with a bomb, and the remnants of the shirt were found at the site.

What hooey. The man could have put dirty, cast-off drawers in the suitcase, or even none at all, and gotten the same impact, none of any one here assuming guilt can show how such flimsy evidence, bought and paid for by the FBI, would be enough to convict a person of a crime even in the US.

But based on the weakest circumstantial evidence, you suckers are so convinced of guilt, that you display hatred that surpasses that of any "terrorist". You accept Scottish law re the conviction, but then reject Scottish law re compassionate release.

You ignore that there is a record of death and misery caused by American military, paramilitary, mercenary, and covert operations in the ME over decades that exponentially dwarfs the total of all of the ME "terrorists" combined, but to you all that is OK.

You accept it as OK that we do it to them, then condemn them for returning our hatred.

As much as you moan and whine, it is all just a show, you really don't care about the victims, but simply want to use the tragedy as excuse to display your own proclivity to hatred, you are in fact no better than the so-called "terrorists" in fact, even worse.

Now the attitudes you display are being returned in kind, by the same forces that see profit from the misery of the ME, who now see profit in doing it to their own "fellow" citizens, and you have no one to blame truthfully but yourselves.

Hypocritical suckers.

[Ms_enza]

Amen brother!

[Lawyers-Guns-n-Money]

by johnbrown8888 August 23, 2009 2:48 PM EDT
No more Scotch whisky! Hit them where it hurts. Buy American or buy Irish, or buy Canadian, but don't buy Scotch.

It's the compassionate, humanitarian way to express our displease with the Scot government.

=====================================

First french fries and now scotch. I need to formulate a new diet now.

[BuckBlack]

The US should take the moral high ground and show those limey pinkos the way to go!

Send back all of those IRA terrorists who've been given a safe haven in the US for the last few decades.

How could they possibly accuse you of pompous hypocrisy then?

[Illuminated1]

"This is a real setback for the anti-terrorist cause and takes our relations with Libya back to where they were for too long, a bad place," U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman, a Connecticut Independent, told CNN.
I don't know about you, but I don't trust Lieberman....maybe its' his independent status in congress, but from what I've seen of him he plays for the Semites more than for the Yankees if you know what I mean.

[skin ltd]

Many people in Scotland do think it was a miscarriage of justice, these include some of the families who lost loved ones in Lockerbie and Dr Jim Swire, who lost his daughter Flora on the flight. Dr Swire led the victims families appeals in trying to bring the original trial and after the first appeal when lots of previously undisclosed evidence became available, Dr Swire then began to doubt the conviction. Most of this undisclosed evidence had been held by official organisations - the US/UK governments and so on. There are still many documents and facts that are not being released by the UK govt. because they are held for 'National Security' reasons. A trial can only be true to the evidence it is presented with, and until other documents are made available, we will never know the truth. So, you can't blame a judge, nor the trial process. This is why the second appeal was dropped just before his release, because there is so much evidence that will not be released because of 'national security'.

His release was decided, as it should be, was decided by the Scots govt, it's not a public vote ! But if you want an idea of feeling in Scotland, it's probably 60/40 against his release. Yes, he was being well cared for in prison, receiving treatment and some of his family have lived near the prison for years, and are actually known in the community.

As for your comments to the Scots people, you are an idiot. I tell you one thing, the more comments the Scots here from the US like that, the more public opinion is turning against you. ~Why don't you go off, read all the facts, do a little research, ask yourself a few questions and then see where that takes you..

[amateurradio]

The *ONLY* course of honor for the Scottish government officials who made this happen is an IMMEDIATE resignation. This move was DISGRACEFUL and COWARDLY. Scotland - a nation with a proud history has been shamed and disgraced.

[Illuminated1]

It's time to pull our bases from around the world and station them here at home.
We Americans are paying too much in foreign aid, both military and humanitarian.
Our technology is shared way too openly with foreign nations, and we don't get our bang for the buck.
We constantly are importing useless crap from China and other places, while paying tariffs elsewhere, we refuse to place on foreign goods that are detrimental to our economy (but not the importers who have lobbyists working to assure we continue this reckless trade.
I dont know if you've been to the supermarket lately, but it has changed dramatically since even the Reagon administration that we no longer have fresh steaks of AAA premium quality anymore, just the prepackaged so called "choice" products.

While my posting had nothing to do with the Lockerbie bomber, I as an american have had enough....
Lets get something straight, I don't care if President Clinton says it's not so.....9/11 was indeed an inside job with a large cast playing the part. There is no way the buildings should have come down except with inside help such as explosives strategically place. I believe we have been stung.....just like the movies.
Back to the Lockerbie bomber....Of course he was released on political pressure. We have video of the Libyan leaders own son saying that at every economic meeting they had with Britain, Libya solicited his release. Britain's leaders can go to Hell.

[skin ltd]

You have no idea what you are talking about and clearly don't bother to read any facts. Just feel like a rant today do we ? Get out the wrong side of bed this morning ?

And as for your comment about China, do you realise that the US owes them more money than it can actually afford to pay ?

[Illuminated1]

No, I discovered long ago if I wake up at all, I woke up on the right side....
As for what I'm talking about, go to the supermarket find the meat section...then look for true quality beef. Either you live in an expensive part of town and you will find some, or more likely you wont...Quality beef can only be found 3 ways, online, at the butchers'(which are few here) and at the restaurants who get theirs wholesale.
Everything we get from China, has been of poor quality and in some cases have been dangerous...toys with lead, food tainted with bacteria from farms with no pest controls or too much pest controls....Prescription medicine to to pharmaceutical industry standards....and much more....these are facts, not made up.
As for 9/11....you don't get to tell me what I know and don't know...I've read the facts...facts are not one of the buildings could have fallen from the impact and fires resulting from the collisions of airliners into them. Jetfuel burns far below the temperatures needed to even get close to melting the titanium steel used...and they found lots of molten metal inside the base where the elevators go...witness upon witness have stated the buildings went down as a controlled implosion at the speed of gravity which is impossible for any structure to do unless it had help. Gold was found inside big rigs at the base of the south tower, the gold was in the north tower...someone knew to get it out before the attack...lots of art treasures were removed as well....and guess who ran the security for it up until 2 weeks prior to the attack?.....Neil Bush, remember him, he almost got 10 years for his part in the Silverado Savings and Loan prosecutions which cost the taxpayers $1,000,000,000. Daddy got him off that one.


As for the Lockerbie bomber...Again it is a fact he was released because the Libyans persistantly placed his release "on the table" at every meeting with the British.

[ToolMangler1]

by Illuminated1 August 23, 2009 6:23 PM EDT
"Jetfuel burns far below the temperatures needed to even get close to melting the titanium steel used...and they found lots of molten metal inside the base where the elevators go..."



Haqving retired as a Metallurgist/Tool and Die maker I can an will tell you that the steel used in the Towers was not Titanium. And Je3t fuel can produce 3000 degrees F.. If just burning, it does not. but if combined with a draft it will burn much hotter and that will create faster combustion and higher temps as the "Airflow" builds. It will melt even the toughest steels that are used in construction of building today. There are thousands of things that occur to metal when heated. one of the very first is it starts to bend away from the heat. That will cause the structure to twist and turn til the 'weakest' point, fails.... The rest is history. It will collapse into itself and onto itself. The shock of that collapse will instantly crush the lower structure to its most compact form. (A pile of rubble). Please stay away from people that tell you otherwise, because those of us in the metal industry are laughing at you and belittling your intelligence. Bush may well have caused it to happen, I won't rule that out but I doubt it, but believe me, THE PLANES BROUGHT THE TOWERS DOWN Not unneeded demolition with or without conspiracy theories attached...

[crispy-gmx]

Sorry, Illuminated1, but apparently your bulb burned out a long time ago! 9-11, an inside job? Give me a break. The fact that you actually believe that negates anything else you have to say. You are obviously a complete and utter MORON! As Barney Frank recently said "arguing with you would be like arguing with a dinning room table!".