World

Senators Say Scotland Released Lockerbie Bomber to Avoid Libyan ‘Commercial Warfare’

A new report out today by four U.S. Senators alleges British officials coaxed Scottish leaders into lying about Lockerbie bomber Abdel Baset Ali al-al-Megrahi’s imminent death so that he could be released. The move was encouraged in order to bypass “commercial warfare,” which included holding oil contracts hostage, by Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.

The report, obtained by NBC News, says that Megrahi, the former Libyan intelligence officer convicted of the bombing, was released after senior officials under former British Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown pressured Scottish authorities to set him free, and that the health reports used to justify that release were falsified.

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The bombing over Lockerbie, Scotland (Pan Am Flight 103) killed 270 people, including 189 Americans.

MSNBC reports:

They did so in order to protect British business interests in Libya, including a $900 million BP oil deal that the Libyans had threatened to cut off, as well as a $165 million arms sale with a British defense firm that was signed the same month al-Megrahi was freed from prison, the report states.

“This was a case in which commercial and economic considerations trumped the message of our global fight against terrorism,” said Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., one of the four senators who commissioned the report by a Senate investigator.

“God forbid there should be another terrorist attack. We have to make it impossible that anything like this injustice takes place again,” he added.

Scottish officials, however, reject the notion. “We totally reject their false interpretation,” a Scottish government spokesperson said in an emailed response to NBC News. The decision to release Megrahi, the spokesperson claims, “was not based on political, economic or diplomatic considerations, but on the precepts of Scots law and nothing else.” British officials also denied involvement.

The report was signed by Democrats Robert Menendez and Frank Lautenberg, both from New Jersey, and the two Democratic senators from New York, Charles Schumer and Kristen Gillibrand.

Read the entire Senate report.

Read the full story from MSNBC.

Comments (52)

  • sdparker
    Posted on December 22, 2010 at 6:37pm

    NO EXCUSE. The lie should have consequences.

    Report Post »  
  • Arbroath7
    Posted on December 22, 2010 at 5:07pm

    Scotland! Remember your history!! NEVER trust ANYTHING THING THE ENGLISH SAY!

    Report Post » Arbroath7  
  • scorpion1
    Posted on December 22, 2010 at 2:14pm

    Well, it looks like the truth is starting to raise it’s ugly head. I am retired from the CIA and when I first read this I would have bet my next years pay that the British Government (and Obama) were behind this. I lost several very good friends on that flight. Several people I worked with assistged in the investigation of the bombing. This was a colossal screwup from the beginning. Now let’s see how long this scumbag lives when he was ssupposedly on his death bed.

    Report Post »  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on December 22, 2010 at 7:46am

    They should have dropped him in to Libya from 31,000 ft. like he did Pan Am Flight 103.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
  • Ruler4You
    Posted on December 22, 2010 at 7:23am

    IMHBLO when your economy is dependent on Lybia’ commercial impact you are at the bottom of the barrel and near collapse. But having political and social leaders who have no principles is even worse than being ‘attacked.’

    Report Post » Ruler4You  
  • SilentReader
    Posted on December 22, 2010 at 2:45am

    The fact of the matter is that this terrorist who killed 270 people was released by the dhimmis in government who refuse to protect us.

    This is dhimmitude. Plain and simple. This is how these Islamists have gotten away with their mass-murdering since Islam began 1400 years ago! They have murdered 270 million non-Muslims or 121,428 non-Muslims/year since Islam began with their Prophet of Doom and constant war against the infidel!

    Haven’t they killed enough yet, dhimmis?

    Round him up and put him back in prison where he belongs. Noone should ever be allowed to mass-murder 270 people and get away with it! He should die in prison where he belongs.

    Then vote them all out! And do it again, and again, and again! That way they don’t get too much power because, as you can see, all power corrupts absolutely!

    In America the power was given to the people by the U.S. Constitution. For a very good reason. Use it!

    Report Post » SilentReader  
  • BOUGHT YOUR SILO YET?
    Posted on December 22, 2010 at 12:39am

    This whole thing just ****** me off. You have Hillary telling GB that the US opposes them releasing the guy, but if they did “WE (the US)” would understand. I really believe under the Obama administration the US WOULD negotiate with terrorists.

    Report Post » BOUGHT YOUR SILO YET?  
  • spreadcommonsensenot pc
    Posted on December 21, 2010 at 7:24pm

    They found 2 “HUGE” stinkin oil fields in north Dakota, by themselves they would run America for just over 100yrs
    halliburten is going crazy up there…………

    Report Post »  
    • wash1776
      Posted on December 22, 2010 at 4:30am

      I know the oil field you are talking about. It is in part of 2 states and runs up into Canada. A lot of it is in shale which used to be a problem. A few years ago, someone invented a method of extracting shale oil so that field is well able to keep this country going for a very long time. There was also a big oil find in Alaska that the government is not hardly using as they say it is destructive to the wild life. It has been proven that there is so little wild life there that it is a joke. The government is using that excuse as a control measure. Also, there was a HUGE oil field discovered in Rocky Mountain National Park and was dug and then capped. It is capped to this day. There are other capped wells in that park but the areas are off limits so the people that visit the park are not aware of this. There are a lot of capped wells in this country that people don’t know about. Also, I don’t know how many people know this but in the Pentagon there is a gas station where the congressmen get their gas at very low prices. Been there forever. Just another hidden perk that the rest of us slaves don’t get.

      Report Post »  
  • canuck44
    Posted on December 21, 2010 at 7:15pm

    This is a perfect reason for the zero recidivism death penalty or a policy of no prisoners when one has duplicitous politicians able to run catch and release programs. Once the dirt bag is executed or killed on the battlefield or “killed while trying to escape” the only thing the politicians can do is apologize like Obama or debate whether is was fair.

    Report Post »  
  • ChiefGeorge
    Posted on December 21, 2010 at 5:47pm

    “Americans are addicted to oil” George W. Bush. So is the rest of the civilized world.

    Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
    • MeteoricLimbo
      Posted on December 21, 2010 at 6:15pm

      Addiction? me thinks we are reliant on foreign oil…….but I cant speak for the world

      Report Post » MeteoricLimbo  
  • poverty.sucks
    Posted on December 21, 2010 at 5:42pm

    What would Regan do?

    Report Post » poverty.sucks  
    • ChiefGeorge
      Posted on December 21, 2010 at 5:50pm

      He did! He drew a hard line with the Libyans in the Gulf of Sidra. US 2/Libya 0. He also bombed his tent killing Moamars son.

      Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
  • Speak without Fear
    Posted on December 21, 2010 at 5:10pm

    Well….well……isn’t that nice. Throw America under the bus……Obama most be gloating and beaming with pride.

    What a screwed up world we live…….God help us.

    Report Post »  
  • paperpushermj
    Posted on December 21, 2010 at 5:10pm

    Color me to cynical but if you keep refining thing down ….some INDIVIDUALS stood to lose money.

    Report Post » paperpushermj  
  • Noah Vaile
    Posted on December 21, 2010 at 4:51pm

    Who would believe anything an American Senator says?

    Report Post » Noah Vaile  
  • Dale
    Posted on December 21, 2010 at 4:00pm

    If I develop a terminal condition, I think I’ll move to Libya: they have great air there.

    Report Post » Dale  
  • IVillageIdiot
    Posted on December 21, 2010 at 3:57pm

    If they would have EXECUTED the SOB on Day #2, rather than placing the murdering, war monger dirtbag in prison as if he was a common criminal, this would not hav happened.

    Report Post » IVillageIdiot  
  • IndyGuy
    Posted on December 21, 2010 at 3:54pm

    When it comes to economic decisions,NOBODY is our friend…Even our own Politicians are not our friends…

    Report Post » IndyGuy  
  • guyperram
    Posted on December 21, 2010 at 3:54pm

    Hey. here‘s Barry’s chance to declare war on Scotland! I wonder when we invade? Heck, maybe we can just bore them to death with Barry’s “complete speeches” transmited 24/7. They will surrender in 1/2 hour.

    Report Post »  
    • wash1776
      Posted on December 22, 2010 at 4:14am

      THAT WAS HILARIOUS!! LOVE THE IDEA!! Keep up the good work. Maybe we can bore our congress to death if we force them to do the same 24/7.

      Report Post »  
  • burnteye86
    Posted on December 21, 2010 at 3:53pm

    I’m shocked to the core

    Report Post » burnteye86  
  • mossbrain
    Posted on December 21, 2010 at 3:52pm

    I would guess that everything that happens in the world is for business reasons.

    Report Post » mossbrain  
  • petestreet
    Posted on December 21, 2010 at 3:44pm

    The four senators know a lie when they hear one, they are liars, thats a requirement of the commie left.

    Report Post »  
    • cheezwhiz
      Posted on December 21, 2010 at 5:21pm

      Since the company involved with Libya was BP ( yes BP),
      maybe these 4 are looking for some “ favors” from BP , you know to keep their mouth shut !

      Report Post » cheezwhiz  
  • JUSTSAYIN
    Posted on December 21, 2010 at 3:32pm

    Were ANY Of These SINators Lips Moving When They Reported This?????????????????? That Settles It Then,,, IT IS A LIE,,,,,

    Report Post »  
  • emertz8413
    Posted on December 21, 2010 at 3:27pm

    Lantern – Well said.

    Report Post »  
  • Diamond Girl
    Posted on December 21, 2010 at 3:19pm

    These four Senators are nobody and I mean nobody I would ever trust…despicable lot all.

    We already know BS was done to gain that POS terrorists freedom, it was beneath contempt period, I don’t need four far leftists to tell me a danged thing thank you very much, he should have been executed long ago.

    I know, I know, the laws don’t allow that there and all that jazz…just tired of everything going on all around us abroad, let alone today right in our very own Senate, with the leftist msm going gaga over all of it as we speak.

    Seems Russia will be grinning from ear to ear now…along with the rest of the twits on the left.

    Report Post » Diamond Girl  
    • cheezwhiz
      Posted on December 21, 2010 at 5:19pm

      The report was signed by Democrats Robert Menendez and Frank Lautenberg, both from New Jersey, and the two Democratic senators from New York, Charles Schumer and Kristen Gillibrand.

      ———————————

      So how did these 4 vote on the # 1 of Dept of Jihad ‘s confirmation ? Or for Genetalia Incompetano’s confirmation ?
      Now they are suddenly indignant about a pro-jihad government ?

      Report Post » cheezwhiz  
    • wash1776
      Posted on December 22, 2010 at 4:10am

      If you can find ANY honest politicians in D.C., let me know. I haven’t seen any . The new speaker of the house John Boehner is one of the best thank heaven. I am sure he has some baggage too, but it is a lot less than most of the rest of those crooks in D.C. He has never taken an earmark and has been in congress a long time. So that proves these other clowns that keep taking earmarks don’t need to do that to keep their jobs. Just do a good job and you will go back. But, they would rather steal from us and line their pockets. Those earmarks are payment to the companies that get them for their political support and contributions to the senator of the state where the earmark goes. That is why there is so many of them. The more the senator gets in earmarks, the more he gets from those companies for campaigning,etc. Just another form of payola and graft and corruption.

      Report Post »  
  • Lantern
    Posted on December 21, 2010 at 3:13pm

    Not sure who to believe, our liars or theirs?

    Report Post » Lantern  
    • TERMLIMITSNOW
      Posted on December 21, 2010 at 3:16pm

      seriously-

      Report Post » TERMLIMITSNOW  
    • indy1
      Posted on December 21, 2010 at 3:22pm

      i don’t believe a thing Schmucky Schumer says.

      Report Post »  
    • walkwithme1966
      Posted on December 21, 2010 at 3:27pm

      I think you are right – hard to know who to believe. I can‘t believe they let him go and he really wasn’t sick and it was all a lie – that just really angers me!! http://maboulette.wordpress.com

      Report Post » walkwithme1966  
    • Lotus503
      Posted on December 21, 2010 at 3:33pm

      I wonder if there is any country out there that doesn’t have a COMPLETELY corrupted government…

      Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on December 21, 2010 at 3:35pm

      Looks like the “losers” hear are the truth and the dead … sad. I wouldn’t trust our den of thieves anymore than theirs.

      Report Post »  
    • guyperram
      Posted on December 21, 2010 at 3:38pm

      the whole release was a scam. This probably is why they released him. Remember; King Barry 1 had tp agree to this.
      Isn’t socialism/marxism wonderful, comrade?

      Report Post »  
    • pajamash
      Posted on December 21, 2010 at 3:59pm

      “The move was encouraged in order to bypass “commercial warfare,” which included holding oil contracts hostage, by Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.”

      And so much for Moammar’s supposed transformation into a “good” world citizen.

      Report Post »  
    • @leftfighter
      Posted on December 21, 2010 at 4:09pm

      Believe ours. This is the preeminent theory I’ve heard for months on what really happened.

      Your best evidence is Libya opening up Libyan waters to BP oil drilling like 2 days after the murdering terrorist bastard was released.

      Report Post » @leftfighter  
    • RECOVERING-LIBERAL-IN-WOODSIDE-CA
      Posted on December 21, 2010 at 4:43pm

      We are so afraid of our enemies that they seem to have more rights than the rest of us. When are we going to wake up and see that this murderer will be regarded as a hero back home in Libya. This will only encourage more misdirected souls into this web of lies called Islamofacism. What’s next? A pardon for Osama in exchange for more mid-east oil?

      Report Post » RECOVERING-LIBERAL-IN-WOODSIDE-CA  
    • TXPilot
      Posted on December 21, 2010 at 5:08pm

      No surprises here, since it was quite obvious when he was released that something smelled very bad about the whole situation.

      Report Post » TXPilot  
    • Rogue
      Posted on December 21, 2010 at 5:15pm

      Wow, I need this guy’s lawyer if I ever get in trouble. He did less than 8 days in prison for each murder. Maybe I’ll knock over a Scottish bank, then plead guilty so I don’t have to do my weekend chores.

      Report Post » Rogue  
    • ChiefGeorge
      Posted on December 21, 2010 at 5:45pm

      Why am I not surprised to hear of this. Its all about either the money or the oil!

      Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
    • Sledgehammer
      Posted on December 21, 2010 at 6:30pm

      This is just my take on it, But it may be more of what we have witnessed in isolating and seperating us from our allies! Why is the question, to form new alliances? With whom? It‘s a trend we’ve seen, with Barry Obamas 3rd world butt kissing tour! Hint, Hint.

      Report Post » Sledgehammer  
    • kindling
      Posted on December 21, 2010 at 8:33pm

      Truly, that is the only thing we know for sure……they are all lying!

      Report Post » kindling  
    • Dustyluv
      Posted on December 21, 2010 at 9:19pm

      I wish him a slow painful death and that right before he goes someone spills bacon grease on him…

      Report Post »  
    • LUDWIKA BRONISLAWA
      Posted on December 21, 2010 at 11:34pm

      Ahhhhhh, yeah, Julian Assange, TELL ME SOMETHING I DON’T KNOW! My very first reaction when I heard they were releasing him was precisely this……BULLSH**!! I was only a kid when that happened but I remember these things. I remember when terrorism was a bad thing and everybody knew it, I remember when a lot of our politicians cared about America, and everything it stands for. We now have a country full of people who don’t know anything, and don’t care about anything, God help us show them the truth.

      Report Post » LUDWIKA BRONISLAWA  
    • wash1776
      Posted on December 22, 2010 at 4:00am

      It is true and I am surprised to see this story back on the internet. That deal was exposed quite awhile back. Everything in politics is self interest to all of the countries. No surprise in that.

      Report Post »  

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