Scottish government defends Lockerbie bomber's release

Monday 24th August, 05:52 AM JST

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TheQuestion at 01:43 AM JST - 25th August

defenders such as SuperLib seriously do not see the complete hypocrisy when the US gets on it's soapbox and whines about global injustices of law and swapping lives for oil money

You have a real problem with objective criticism. Try looking at the small picture, that being the U.S's anger about the U.K releasing a terrorist, before you look at the larger picture, what you percieve as U.S hipocrisy.

The Scotish government claims to have released the bomber on compassionate grounds. I think that is a load of bull, I may not have seen it another way if he were released under house arrest with his family in Glasgow. Being allowed to die surrounded by one's family, thats compassion. Being sent to a country that hails you as a hero for blowing up Americans, making friends with the countries leader, and ensuring the oil relationship between the U.K and Libya, that is not compassion.

Had he been released to Glasgow I would still think it was far to good for him but I could at least understand where the Scotts were comming from. But the situation didn't play out that way and now he's a national icon.
dontpanic at 03:12 AM JST - 25th August

TheQuestion this row isnt at all objective.

The US was happy for al-Magrahi to be tried and convicted under Scottish law. The US was also happy that Scottish law rejected his appeal. Al-Magrahi's release was on objective grounds according to Scottish law. If the US legal staff didnt know the law made allowances on compassionate grounds then perhaps the US should have whisked him off to god knows where before the trial.

Neither the US nor the rest of the UK have any say in Scottish law. I have a lot of sympathy for the families feelings, but on this issue Scottish justice does not equal revenge.
LIBERTAS at 05:29 AM JST - 25th August

Well, it just gets better and better! No conspiracy theories needed, because the whole matter came up in the British House of Commons! (The Mother of All Parliaments!)Crucial evidence against two Libyans for the Lockerbie bombing was planted by the CIA, it was claimed in the Commons yesterday. Crucial evidence against two Libyans for the Lockerbie bombing was planted by the CIA, it was claimed in the Commons yesterday.

"A fragment of circuit board alleged to have been part of the bomb's timing mechanism is the sole item of physical evidence linking the two Libyans to the December 1988 bombing. But Tam Dalyell, Labour MP for Linlithgow, declared: "I have come to suspect that the timing device in question was not that of Pan Am 103 but a different timing device that the CIA had picked up from the Libyans ... I have been driven to the conclusion that the device was a CIA plant." from The Independent newspaper, Thursday June 15 1995. They already knew! Check: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/lockerbie-evidence-planted-by-cia-1586487.html

So, once again, facts and science has outwitted CIA outrage. C'mon, America, face facts. Your whole country is riddled by a disease that begins with "Z" and you're paying for it all with your blood, sweat, tears and hard earned dollar$! As far back as 1995 this Libyan patsie was set up, and YOUR government knew about it! I rest my case, your honour.
TheQuestion at 05:31 AM JST - 25th August

but on this issue Scottish justice does not equal revenge.

No, quite the contrary actually. In letting him return to Libya rather than to die with his family in Glasgow it seem's like he is being rewarded for the crimes he committed. I mean the entire country of Libya seems to be throwing one big party just for him.
Madverts at 04:05 PM JST - 25th August

"yet somehow the Euros will turn this into the US being the bad guy. They have to. It's the only card they know how to play. Blaming the US for everything is the best way for them to avoid the guilt they should feel for the mess they've created in the world during their turn in power"

Heh, jesus buddy calm down. Boycotting your allies and shrieking insanities simply because they don't agree with you on a given issue is probably what is making many Scots and Brits think Americans act stupidly when they're up there on that hoss.

The rest of your Euro umbrella (i.e the Europeans not in Britain or Glasgow) aren't really taking that much notice of what's happening here. But thanks for the outburst ;)
SuperLib at 05:09 PM JST - 25th August

madverts: Boycotting your allies and shrieking insanities simply because they don't agree with you on a given issue is probably what is making many Scots and Brits think Americans act stupidly when they're up there on that hoss.

I'm just pissed off you have a Mustang and I don't. But seriously, think about it....one guy made one website with some text and it became front page news on the BBC.

The article itself even says the boycott shouldn't be taken seriously. Scottish businesses don't expect any drop in revenue and they quoted travel agents who said they haven't and don't expect any change in tourism. The net result will be nothing.

If you want to talk about making mountains out of molehills....are you sure you're pointing to the right crowd?
dontpanic at 05:37 PM JST - 25th August

TheQuestion - "it seem's like he is being rewarded for the crimes he committed"

Well hardly, al-Megrahi was sentenced to life in prison. Whether he dies in prison or at home he cant serve any longer.
TheQuestion at 04:44 AM JST - 26th August

Well hardly, al-Megrahi was sentenced to life in prison.

Well he's not in prison right no is he? Last I checked he was still being congratulated by the up and ups of Libya.
dontpanic at 04:49 PM JST - 26th August

Thats true but not for long though eh?

Your point was one of objectivity not revenge. Which is why most legal systems in the free world dont practice state sponsored killing. The Scots system took an objective view and acted on its own rules. It might seem unjust to you but thats the objective point. It seems under the guise of objectivity, you really want revenge.

If Im wrong and your problem is more with the reception al-Megrahi got from the Libyans. You should apply pressure to your local politicians to take it up with them.
Heda_Madness at 03:13 PM JST - 28th August

It wasn't so long ago that certain Americans were demanding the early release of terrorists who had killed British citizens. It's funny how it's different now isn't it?
Nessie at 03:21 PM JST - 28th August

certain Americans were demanding the early release of terrorists who had killed British citizens. It's funny how it's different now isn't it?

Who are you talking about?
Heda_Madness at 04:16 PM JST - 28th August

Oh and do a bit of research on Noraid as well.
seijichuudo9sha at 10:18 AM JST - 30th August

It is official,according to the Times Online. "Secret letters reveal Labour’s Libyan deal". Scotland released this terrorist in exchange for BP rights to explore for oil off of Libya's coastline.
hworta269 at 03:35 PM JST - 30th August

In Europe life prison terms are only about 20 years anymore anyway. This guy just helped them with their population control. It was the Margarat Thatchers that put him away not the current liberals in Europe who wouldnt have had the stomach now a days to even put him away for more then a few years anyhow.
WilliB at 10:38 PM JST - 30th August

Money talks, BS walks. Of course this was an oil deal, and damn the feelings of the victims.

This article give some clues about details: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6814939.ece