I’ve posted before — here and here — on the indefensible decision of the Scottish government to release Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, the terrorist convicted of the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. The British press is all over the story, digging to see if there were grounds other than “compassion” for the release. The London Times is now reporting that the Lockerbie bomber deal was motivated by British interests in securing a potentially lucrative Libyan oil contract for BP. Letters written by British justice minister Jack Straw some time ago seem to confirm the link.
I suppose every country has to look after its own interests, but I am keenly disappointed that the Brits would sacrifice justice for oil and cash. I have always admired the British, and I think America has benefited by having a stalwart, dependable ally. It is sad to see that relationship traded away for a few billion pounds.