The release last week of convicted terrorist Abdel Baset al-Megrahi by the Scottish government has sparked much criticism from the United States. Al-Megrahi was sentenced to life in prison for the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 that killed 270 people over Lockerbie, Scotland in 1988.
Al-Megrahi was released from prison last Thursday on compassionate grounds – he is diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer - by Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill. Mr. MacAskill decided to release Al-Megrahi to live out his final days in Libya under the condition that he would not receive a hero’s welcome upon his return; a promise the Libyan government broke.
President Obama’s administration has condemned Mr. MacAskill’s decision saying that Al-Megrahi should continue to serve out his sentence in Scotland. Yet, Mr. MacAskill is sticking by his verdict even as Scotland’s Labour Party distances themselves from his decision.
Rumors are on the rise as to what extent the United Kingdom played in persuading the release of Al-Megrahi and the motive behind his pardon. Many are suggesting it was an act to promote a future energy deal with Muammar al-Gaddafi’s oil rich state. Only time will tell if these accusations are true and the United States should hope they are not.
The United Kingdom has been America’s most steadfast ally in the War on Terror, but rumors like these question that allegiance. As for Scotland, their actions are inexcusable. A man responsible for the deaths of 270 innocent people deserves no mercy; he showed none.
There is still speculation about a Libya deal and lets hope that is all it is. The head of the African Union has some political clout at this moment so lets see if this also plays into the the hand a little bit what do you think? The Libyan President is holding talks here in the near future to renegotiate new deals in Africa. He has a pretty "good" hand at the moment... So lets sit back and see what might "develop".....opinion???
ReplyDeleteWilliam
It is hard to say what would happen at the UN General Assembly meeting next month, but I will agree that Gaddafi certainly has a strong hand given his cooperation with the US in recent years - dismantling Libya's nuclear weapons program and fighting Islamic extremism. I guess we will have to wait and see how it plays out.
ReplyDeleteI agree, justice was not served. I don't believe anyone should be shown mercy if they have shown none to those they committed violent acts against. Punishment should fit the crime. No one's decision should be affected by a possible gain in anything.
ReplyDeleteThink about it: this creep is a free man while Bernie Madoff rots in jail.
ReplyDeleteIt's just not fair.