The United States Senate has asked two Scottish officials to testify next week at a hearing concerning Scotland’s release of Libyan terrorist, Abdel Baset al-Megrahi. He was the only person ever convicted in the 1988 bombing of a Pan Am jet, killing 270 people, 189 of them American. Scotland granted him a compassionate release because they were told he was dying of prostate cancer and had only a few months to live. It has been nearly a year since his release, and he is very healthy. Allegations have arisen that he was released under a deal worked out with British Petroleum, BP, who is responsible for the Gulf oil spill. It seems that BP may have made a $900 million oil deal with Libya made in 2007, and BP worked for his release as part of the deal. At this point, both Scottish officials have said they will not appear before a Senate hearing, claiming that they have provided a written response. BP Chief Executive Tony Hayward has also been asked to testify, but he has not responded.
This situation is despicable and the US has every right to expect these people to appear. 189 Americans were killed in that bombing, and if BP and the Scottish government somehow got the man released for monetary reasons, then this needs to be brought out into the open. BP’s role in the oil spill makes this especially abhorrent.
Sonne, Paul and Alistair MacDonald. “Scotland Rebuffs Lockerbie Inquiry.” The Wall Street Journal. 23 July 2010.
I find it appalling that the deaths of 270 people are being overlooked for the sake of financial gain. This event as well as the oil spill justifies America's anger at BP. Not to mention the families of those who died. He committed a crime, he should remain in jail until his sentence is finished or he dies. He has not earned the freedom of fresh air.
ReplyDelete(Katie Rothert)