White House backed release of Lockerbie Bomber

[ChickenMan]

The US government secretly advised Scottish ministers it would be "far preferable" to free the Lockerbie bomber than jail him in Libya.

Correspondence obtained by The Sunday Times reveals the Obama administration considered compassionate release more palatable than locking up Abdel Baset al-Megrahi in a Libyan prison


http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/wo ... 5896741041

[LeadBolt]

Why am I not surprised? Is it just me or do these folks in Washington running our government seem openly antagonistic toward Americans and compassionate to the rest of the world?

[CitadelGrad]

Thank you, President Obama.

[dbackjon]

Thank you, President Obama.

Do you think President McCain would have done different?

[Skjellyfetti]

A bit misleading... they didn't back his release. The article you linked to says their first choice was for him not to be released at all... and that IF Scottish officials decided to release him they should do it on "compassionate" grounds instead of a transfer.

In the letter, sent on August 12 last year to Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond and justice officials, Mr LeBaron wrote that the US wanted Megrahi to remain imprisoned in view of the nature of the crime.

The note added: "Nevertheless, if Scottish authorities come to the conclusion that Megrahi must be released from Scottish custody, the US position is that conditional release on compassionate grounds would be a far preferable alternative to prisoner transfer, which we strongly oppose."

The US administration lobbied the Scottish government more strongly against sending Megrahi home, under a prisoner transfer agreement signed by the British and Libyan governments, in a deal now known to have been linked to a pound stg. 550 million oil contract for BP.

It claimed this would flout a decade-old agreement between Britain and the US that anyone convicted of the bombing would serve their sentence in a Scottish prison. Megrahi was released by Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill on the grounds that he had three months to live, making his sentence effectively spent.

[dbackjon]

Interesting link, SK

[Gil Dobie]

...and the difference between Chaney and Obama is...................

US President Barack Obama's claim last week that all Americans were "surprised, disappointed and angry" to learn of Megrahi's release.

[CitadelGrad]

Thank you, President Obama.

Do you think President McCain would have done different?

Are you trying to hold McCain responsible for the actions of Obama?

[dbackjon]

Do you think President McCain would have done different?

Are you trying to hold McCain responsible for the actions of Obama?

No - I am asking what would have a McCain adminstration done.

[Gil Dobie]

Are you trying to hold McCain responsible for the actions of Obama?

No - I am asking what would have a McCain adminstration done.

Would you have been upset with McCain and not Obama?

[CitadelGrad]

Are you trying to hold McCain responsible for the actions of Obama?

No - I am asking what would have a McCain adminstration done.

Why? McCain isn't even a part of this. I think you're invoking his name to deflect criticism away from Obama. The truth is that I don't know what McCain would have done and neither do you.

[UCABEAR]

I think the Scottish government should have made him wear a kilt and run around the mideast chanting...Praise Obama!

[bobbythekidd]

Interesting link, SK

Indeed it is. It shows that our President would rather free a murderer than; free a murderer allow British subjects to return to a humane environment.

Truth is I'd be outraged if they did a prisoner exchange. I'm just stoking the fire.

[01lugrad]

Are you trying to hold McCain responsible for the actions of Obama?

No - I am asking what would have a McCain adminstration done.

This is a new one by the lefties. Usually they just say something about it all being Bush's fault.
Points for creativity.

[houndawg]

Thank you, President Obama.

Are you trying to hold Obama responsible for the actions of the Scots?

[OL FU]

Bomb Scotland!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[CitadelGrad]

Thank you, President Obama.

Are you trying to hold Obama responsible for the actions of the Scots?

Clearly, Obama tried to influence the outcome of this matter. McCain, on the other hand, wasn't even a variable in this equation.

[Skjellyfetti]

Clearly, Obama tried to influence the outcome of this matter.

You're right. His administration told them they didn't want him released at all.

[houndawg]

Are you trying to hold Obama responsible for the actions of the Scots?

Clearly, Obama tried to influence the outcome of this matter. McCain, on the other hand, wasn't even a variable in this equation.

Would that be a "Yes, I hold Obama responsible for the actions of the Scots"? Or just a non sequitur?

[Wedgebuster]

Soon as Jerry Falwell gets his old butt buddy Fred Phelps back on his dick, thy universe shall be refreshed.

Need only to encourage Freddy to expedite his descent into the brimstone, let it be so..

[From the class of 09]

Soon as Jerry Falwell gets his old butt buddy Fred Phelps back on his dick, thy universe shall be refreshed.

Need only to encourage Freddy to expedite his descent into the brimstone, let it be so..

[Wedgebuster]

Soon as Jerry Falwell gets his old butt buddy Fred Phelps back on his dick, thy universe shall be refreshed.

Need only to encourage Freddy to expedite his descent into the brimstone, let it be so..

My mistake, forgot to mention how much Jerry liked to take it in the ass as well. Thanks for reminding me, and good call!

[Vidav]

Soon as Jerry Falwell gets his old butt buddy Fred Phelps back on his dick, thy universe shall be refreshed.

Need only to encourage Freddy to expedite his descent into the brimstone, let it be so..

[CitadelGrad]

Clearly, Obama tried to influence the outcome of this matter. McCain, on the other hand, wasn't even a variable in this equation.

Would that be a "Yes, I hold Obama responsible for the actions of the Scots"? Or just a non sequitur?

No, I hold Obama responsible for the actions of his administration. He gave the Scots an easy way to get rid of the bomber when he said freeing him was preferable to transferring him to a Libyan prison.

[Skjellyfetti]

No, I hold Obama responsible for the actions of his administration. He gave the Scots an easy way to get rid of the bomber when he said freeing him was preferable to transferring him to a Libyan prison.

They didn't say freeing him was preferable to transferring him to a Libyan prison.

They said IF YOU DECIDE (against our wishes) to free him... keep him in Scotland... do not let him return to Libya where he can be greeted as a hero.

-- The United States is not prepared to support Megrahi's release on compassionate release or bail. We understand that Scottish authorities are ensuring that Megrahi receives quality medical treatment, including palliative care, while incarcerated. The United States maintains its view that in light of the scope of Megrahi's crime, its heinous nature, and its continued and devastating impact on the victims and their families, it would be most appropriate for Megrahi to remain imprisoned for the entirety of his sentence. This was the understanding and expectation at the time arrangements were made for his trial in Scottish Court in the Netherlands, were he or his confederate to be convicted and their appeals upheld.

-- Nevertheless, if Scottish authorities come to the conclusion that Megrahi must be released from Scottish custody, the U.S. position is that conditional release on compassionate grounds would be a far preferable alternative to prisoner transfer, which we strongly oppose.

-- If a decision were made by Scotland to grant conditional release, two conditions would be very important to the United States and would partially mitigate the concerns of the American victims' families. First, any such release should only come after the results of independent and comprehensive medical exams clearly establishing that Megrahi's life expectancy is less than three months. The results of these exams should be made available to the United States and the families of the victims of Pan Am 103. The justification of releasing Megrahi on compassionate grounds would be more severely undercut the longer he is free before his actual death.

-- Second, the United States would strongly oppose any release that would permit Megrahi to travel outside of Scotland. We believe that the welcoming reception that Megrahi might receive if he is permitted to travel abroad would be extremely inappropriate given Megrahi's conviction for a heinous crime that continues to have a deep and profound impact on so many. As such, compassionate release or bail should be conditioned on Megrahi remaining in Scotland.

-- Again, while we are not able to endorse the early release of Megrahi under any scenario, we believe that granting compassionate release or bail under the conditions described (i.e. release with a life expectancy or less than three months and with Megrahi remaining in Scotland under supervision) would mitigate a number of the strong concerns that we have expressed with respect to Megrahi’s release.

full text of the letter available here:
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2010/07/145142.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;