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Barack Obama condemns Lockerbie Bomber's release
Ben Bailey21.08.09
President Barack Obama led the US in voicing condemnation over the release of Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi.
Mr Obama said the decision by the Scottish Government was a "mistake" and called on Libya to immediately place Megrahi under house arrest in his home country.
His comments reflected the anger held by many American families who lost loved ones in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. Of the 270 victims of the terrorist attack, 189 were from the US.
The release of the man convicted over the atrocity yesterday was met by disbelief by some in America.
Many could not understand how the Scottish justice system could show compassion for Megrahi, freeing him to live out the remaining weeks of his life in his homeland.
Susan Cohen, of New Jersey, who lost her 20-year-old daughter, Theodora, in the bombing, said: "I think it's appalling, disgusting and so sickening I can hardly find words to describe it."
Likewise Kara Weipz, also of New Jersey found it difficult to contain her anger. Her 20-year-old brother Richard Monetti was among the American victims.
"I don't understand how the Scots can show compassion. It is an utter insult and utterly disgusting," Ms Weipz said.
Cable news channels showed footage of Megrahi's homecoming in Libya, complete with cheering crowds, in a move that further angered those who lost loved ones.
Criticism of the Scottish decision came from the highest level.
In a live radio interview, the president said the United States administration had been in contact with the Scottish Government to register its objections.
Mr Obama said he had contacted families of the victims and indicated to them that he believed the release was inappropriate.
He added: "We have been in contact with the Scottish Government indicating that we objected to this. We thought it was a mistake.
"We are now in contact with the Libyan government and want to make sure that if this transfer has taken place, that he is not welcomed back in some way but should instead be under house arrest."
It followed earlier condemnation from the White House press secretary and US attorney general Eric Holder.
In his attack on the decision, Mr Holder said it had "no justification".
He said: "We are extremely disappointed with the Scottish Executive's decision to release Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi.
"The interests of justice have not been served by this decision."
Mr Holder added: "Megrahi did not show and has not shown compassion for innocent human life, and as we communicated to the Scottish authorities and the UK Government, it continues to be our position that he should have been required to serve the entire sentence handed down for his crimes."
Speaking on CNN, Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill attempted to defend his decision to an American audience.
He said: "In Scotland, justice is tempered with compassion. That is why he has been allowed to go home to die.
Mr MacAskill added: "I'm showing his family some compassion. I accept it is a compassion not shown to families in the United States or in Scotland.
"But we have values and we will not debase them and we will seek to live up to those values of humanity that we pride ourselves on."
Cameron: Lockerbie decision is 'wrong'
Reader views (19)
"hoooyahhh", Lybian oil for Schotland. way to go
- Akum Rarymond, Douala - Cameroon
I can list 179 reasons why this IS our business.
- Lisa B, Dallas, TX USA
Neville Chamberlain lives!
The cowardice and the weakness, the smugness and the sanctimoniousness, the hypocrisy and the caving in to the terrorist bane of the world ... all these are encompassed in Scotland's shameful surrender to the Islamic wave that has demolished what courage may have still remained in the now demonstrably decadent West.
My wife and indeed my whole family, including myself, have marveled at the kindness and friendliness of the people of Scotland on the several occasions when we have been privileged to visit ... We have found no more congenial and indeed admirable people anywhere on earth.
Where is your ‘compassion’ for your friends and allies, and indeed for the American people–who, by the scores of millions, are now suffering the anguish of Scotland’s shameful act of surrender to Islamic terror ... ?
... A decision borne of fear and trembling, so unworthy of the Scotland we loved.
Is this the Scotland that showed so much courage and valor in World War II?
Where is Scotland the Brave in our time? .
In the folklore--no longer in the real world.
Nevilleland the Unworthy!
- Raymond Ocampo, Ridgewood, NJ, USA
Scotland has always retained its own legal system it has even a 3rd result of Not Proven so this decision has nothing to do with the government in London and this fact needs to be transmitted to President Obama.
Besides in America they have different laws in different states so different decisions can arise in neighbouring areas which happen to lay astride state lines.
Must be co-incidence that this happened so closely after the release of Ronnie Biggs on health grounds. Odd thingg is Roonie might still have been in prision while this bomber had been released!
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex
Obama is proving yet again how naive he is. Telling other countries how to behave or take decisions is going to fly back into his face and embarrass him. The United States executes people, including children. They have a long way to go before they can comprehend the meaning of civilised compassion. In the meantime Obama - shut it!!
- Jilly, London
Many friends and relatives of the British dead do not believe that he was responsible. When he is at peace I think we need a full and through enquiry to hopefully establish the truth free from the USA's meddling. I had hope for Obama but now know he is a typical American!
- Michael, London
This has nothing whatever to do with guilt or innocence or "compassion." It is about Libyan oil for Scotland and ONLY Libyan oil for Scotland. Seeing the Scottish flag being waved by the mob at the Tripoli airport explained it all
- Bill A, Marylebone
I think the affected families should let by bygones be bygones that's when the healing process begins. If there is still such anger then i would not see any difference between the bomber and the victims of the family. The other issue is the president of USA with due respect i think should mind more about the affairs of the USA, how about trying the former president of USA Mr. George Bush attacking IRAQ over false allegation that it has weapons of massive destruction. then we will know that their justice systems is good or should resign & become part of scottish government and view out his dismay who knows it could be overturned. I think the USA GOVERNMENT should respect JUSTICE SYSTEMS of other countries since we also do not question theirs. Respect is earned not given.
- Mayanja Stephen, Kamapala, Uganda
Many Scots are saying that for the first time they are ashamed to be Scottish following this decision. Come come now, given our glorious NuLabour Scottish prime minister you have had ample opportunity to be very ashamed.
- Edgar, London
It was not 100% that he was guilty. To tihnk that if he was innocent, then the real bombers are out there still living their lives. Surely the effort should be put in to finding out the truth, especially for the families of the victims.
- Ak, Haringey, London
The decision to release this guy to die in his own country is a brave decision and it is consistent with are ideals, and our Christian values IE compassion and forgiveness.It will elevate are standing in the middle east where we are often perceived as having double standards.the Americans devalue themselves as a christian country by there opposition to the decision.For Obama to use the words mistake is strange indeed as the decision was made with regards to Scottish law! I believe the decision to release this guy will also go some way to restoring are position as regards the moral high ground that Great Britain once held in the eyes of the world.Well done to the Scott's.
- Kev, London-UK
Rightly or wrongly, this man has been released on compassionate grounds and I believe that world peace is not improved when Obama (A man I greatly admire)"TELLS" another country how to treat one of theie countrymen. How would you Mothers and Fathers out there react if someone outside your family "TOLD" you how to treat your children. Please also bear in mind that no physical evidence pointed to this man's guilt.
- Alan, Romney Marsh UK
I smell Brown's politics in the background to this disgrace (and Oil), but the Scottish fall-guy, Kenny MacaSkill, better start looking for a new job (carpark attendant springs to mind.
- Ted, London
What business is this of the USA? The case was tried in a Scottish court and the Americans had no problem with the jurisdiction or the verdict, though most sane people think it was seriously flawed, so how can they now start complaining about Scottish justice? Just because they don't like the idea of mercy to someone who was and is innocent in any case is no reason to stick their nib into another country's business. Scotland is no Grenada or Iraq or Afghanistan and I'm afraid Obama is going to find that out the hardest way of all. By slagging off Scottish justice he slags off the most important thing we have, what are his most important things I wonder?
- John, Aberdeen, UK
I guess there are no Christian Americans. No mention of the terminal cancer in this article, and no doubt no mention in many of the cable coverage state-side.
Factor in the possibility this man was little more than a sacrificial lamb... perhaps those seeking justice should look elsewhere.
- Twothings, Glasgow, Scotland
While I can appreciate the anger of the families who lost loved ones I am yet again taken aback at the duplicity of the US government. Luis Posada Carriles is walking free on American streets not having ever been put on trial for what is really an open and shut case. Perhaps the desire for punishment can only ever be invoked when there is an American loss of life, or prehaps only when the perpetrator of the crime does not have extensive CIA links. This is yet another slap in the face of the victims of Cubana Flight 445, the unpeople.
- Robert Sutcliffe, London
I predict a sudden and miraculous remission of all his symptoms followed a long life filled with the usual B-list celebrities tasks of opening shopping malls and fêtes.
Remember you read it here first!
- Threaded, Roskilde, Denmark
I am sympathetic to the American calls of injustice. I also place equal blame on those who supply terrorists and suggest anyone proven to have supported terrorism should equally spend their life behind bars - like the hundreds of Americans who supported the IRA and where thus responsible for the hundreds of innocent British citizens murdered on British soil.
- Steven Hill, Portsmouth, UK
The decision to repatriate this man to Libya is not so astounding when you throw Meddlesum into the mix.
JOE PUBLIC ARE BEING DECEIVED YET AGAIN.
- Reuben Camara, Principality of Morecambe, EUSSR
