BP Claims In Lockerbie Bomber Release Incredulous Says Sen. Menendez
Monday, July 26, 2010 at 3:47PMTwo US Senators are again calling for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the release of convicted Libyan terrorist Abdel Basset Al Megrahi.
Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) joined family members of victims of the Lockerbie bomber at a news conference in Times Square today and questioned the medical pretext for sending Al Megrahi back to Libya from prison in Scotland last August.
Gillibrand said the fact Al Megrahi remains in relative good health, continues to live freely and was greeted has a hero upon his return to Libya is unacceptable and requires a full and transparent investigation.
Al Megrahi was the only suspect convicted for the 1988 bombing of Panam 103 flight over Lockerbie, Scotland, that killed 270, more than half of whom were American.
Al Megrahi was said to be suffering from terminal prostate cancer, when Scotland released him for a return to Libya on humanitarian grounds in August, 2009. A British cancer expert who examined Al Megrahi at the request of Libyan government initially gave him three months to live but now says he could live 10 to 20 more years. At the time, family members of the victims as well several American and British politicians publicly condemned the move and suggested BP had been lobbying for his release. Now Al Megrahi’s continued good health and BP’s disastrous handling of the Gulf Oil spill have reignited debate.
Senator Menedez says BP CEO Tony Hayward’s possible departure does not change the importance of his testimony before the Senate Foreign Policy Commitee. Hayward and BP have still not given an answer as to whether they will appear, while former British Justice Minister Jack Straw, Scottish Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill and Dr. Andrew Fraser have already declined.
“It is my hope that all of the parties that we have asked to appear will commit to appearing this Thursday” said Menendez, also noting he would be in favor of issuing subpeonas if Hayward and others do not voluntarily testify, but the decision to subpoena witnesses was up to the Chairman of the full Senate Foreign Relations Committee, John Kerry.
Staffers for the Senators circulated copies of a letter that surfaced in September of 2009 from British House of Lords member and Chairman of the Libyan British Business Council( LBBC) Lord Trefgarne addressed to Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill.
In it, Trefgarne asks MacAskill to bring the Megrahi matter to a “swift and “satisfactory conclusion” and warns of the risks it could pose to ties between both countries.
“The Libyan authorities have made it clear that should he die in prison in Scotland there will serious implications for UK-Libyan relations. This prospect is of grave concern to LBBC members, not just Scottish ones.” wrote Lord Trefgarne, a few sentences later suggesting Megrahi’s situation was “tailor made” for Release on Licence on Compassionate Grounds.
BP officials have already stated that they did lobby for a prisoner transfer agreement but not specifically for Al Megrahi, a claim Senator Menendez doubts.
“I think its a little incredulous, and I say that simply because Al Megrahi clearly was the one prisonner in custody of the British/Scottish government that meant something to them. This advocacy by the British Libyan Business Group which BP was part of , clearly, when you talk about the concern about Libyan relations, what was at the forefront of Libyan relations at the time was the 900 million dollar deal. So I think it stretches the imagination not to believe that Al Megrahi was the focal point of what BP was trying to achieve in order to be able to make sure that those relationships were calm. ” said Menedez.
Notes From Today's Joint White House Press Conference
President Obama and Prime Minister David Cameron held a press conference today in the East Room of the White House.
The two leaders, addressing each other on first-name basis, stated that they had excellent discussions and that they still enjoy a truly special relationship. There were jokes about beer and their children before going on to more serious topics. They both honored the sacrifices of the brave soldiers that are fighting together in a series of conflicts around the world.
“Our alliance thrives because it advances our common interest,” Obama said.
He continued to say that we have no closer ally and stronger partner than Great Britain. Prime Minister Cameron called it an “absolutely essential relationship.”
Both the United States and Great Britain are taking action on fiscal responsibility. Both leaders said the economic goal will take a strong and stable growth process and a sustained economic recovery willbe the effects of “a reformed financial system that will never again be open to the abuses of the past.”
In their opening remarks the two leaders brought up the many isues concerning the Middle East, specifically with Iran and Afghanistan.
Both President Obama and Prime Minister Cameron said they want to see a secure, peaceful and stable Middle East. First of all, Obama and Cameron need Iran to give up their pursuit of nuclear weapons and resume negotiations with the international community. It is not too late for them to come to the table, however, if Iran chose not to, the sanctions package set by the UN Security Council will be implemented with vigor.
In terms of Israel and Palestine, Prime Minster Cameron refered to the situation as a desperate need for a two-state solution. He added that it is necessary for it to provide security, justice and hope.
“It is time for direct talks, not least because it is time for each, Israel and Palestine, to test the seriousness of the other,” Cameron said.
Focus then shifted towards BP and the alleged connection they may have with the release of Abdel Baset al-Megrahi, the Lockerbie bomber. When asked about opening a government investigation around the release, President Obama said,”All of us in the United States were surprised, disappointed and angry about the decision, so we welcome any additional information.”
Prime Minister Cameron made it clear that he did not agree with the decision.
“I’ve asked the Cabinet Secretary today to go back through all of the paperwork and see if more needs to be published about the background to this decision,” Cameron said. “I don’t need an inquiry to tell me what was a bad decision. It was a bad decision.”
There were also questions regarding the extradition of computer hacker Gary McKinnon, and both leaders acknowledged the discussion, but did not make any specific comments. Instead they talked about the importance of cooperation in terms of dealing with cyber security.