Barack Obama Lockerbie Bomber: US Wanted Abdelbaset Sent to Libya but Not Jailed

We've mused about this. How involved was the White House in Abdelbaset Ali Mohamed al-Megrahi, the Lockerbie bomber's release from the Scottish prison? And was their involvement tied to the campaign donations from BP to Obama? A letter obtained by the UK Sunday Times reports to show that Obama preferred Abdelbaset be sent home to Libya, but not imprisoned there, and a letter from the US Embassy Deputy Head in London, Richard LeBaron has surfaced.

Pan Am 103 - Abdelbaset The Lockerbie Bomber

The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee has been investigating how Abdelbaset was released from the Scottish prison on compassionate grounds, sent home to Libya to die within three months, and is still alive one year later. At the time, it seemed the U.S. did not heartily oppose the release. I remember Obama telling Libya to quash any idea of a big reunion celebration on camera when the bomber arrived home. Of course the cameras rolled and the celebration was big.

Obama received a total of $77,051 leading up to his presidential race in November 2008, millions more went to Democrats. In the summer of 2008, BP was desperately trying to find a way to get their drilling operation off of Libya's coast operating. It appears Libya was holding those leases hostage to obtain Abdelbaset's freedom. By August, whatever deals were cut, the bomber was released and sent home. Rumors were ripe that Libya paid Scottish doctors to issue a terminal cancer diagnosis.

The Australian says the Deputy Head of the US Embassy in London, Richard LeBaron,  rendered the letter to the Scots from Obama one week before Abdelbast's release:

The document, acquired by a well-placed US source, threatens to undermine US President Barack Obama's claim last week that all Americans were "surprised, disappointed and angry" to learn of Megrahi's release.

Scottish ministers viewed the level of US resistance to compassionate release as "half-hearted" and a sign it would be accepted.

The US has tried to keep the letter secret, refusing to give permission to the Scottish authorities to publish it on the grounds it would prevent future "frank and open communications" with other governments.

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.

Why would the White House strongly oppose Abdelbaset's imprisonment in Libya? The letter does say that Obama preferred leaving him in prison in Scotland, but if that was not going to happen, preferred the bomber go to his happy home in Libya and not to prison. It doesn't make any sense unless we see the donations going to Obama as conditional.

The Lockerbie bombing, also known as Pan Am 103, killed 190 Americans, 35 of whom were students of Syracuse University, 4 from Colgate University, 4 from Brown University, 2 from Seton Hill University and 2 from State University of New York at Oswego and 1 from Hampshire College. Ten on the flight were residents of Long Island. Justice for the 243 aboard and the 11 dead on the ground was stolen for a BP oil lease, some political donations and a favor to an Islamic nation. Just a few strong words from the Citizen President of the World, Barack Obama, saying Abdelbaset must not be realeased, would have kept him in prison. Obama hates drilling, but he loves campaign money, and he is a great respecter of Islam. What a terrible, terrible story.

Thanks to David Lemon for the heads up on this latest revelation.

Related and Background

Bay of Rigs Scandal Leaking: Dispersants and Where the Money Is.

Did BP Secure Abdelbaset Ali Mohamed al-Megrahi Release: States Investigate Lockerbie Bomber

Saif al-Islam is Muammar Ghaddaffis Son Megrahi Lockerbie Bomber Release Deal?


US Lockerbie Bribes? US Lockerbie Payments? Lockerbie Witnesses Paid by US?

Abdelbaset Ali Mohamed al-Megrahi Alive 5 Months Later

The convicted Lockerbie bomber, Abdelbaset Ali Mohamed al-Megrahi is still alive three months after his release from a Scottish prison after cancer specialist Karol Sikora said he had only three months to live. See a video below of Lockerbie, actual footage immediately after the crash, and hear some of the resident who escaped death on the night of December 21st, 1988. Update 1-6-09: Still alive and counting 5 months later.

Abdelbaset Ali Mohamed al-Megrahi

Scandal has erupted all around this "compassionate release." Abdelbaset al-Megrahi was charged and convicted of killing 270 people on December 21, 1988, including 35 Syracuse University students, when Pam Am Flight 103 exploded over the Scottish town of Lockerbie.

Amid outcries from the families of victims, Scotland released him to Libya on August 20th. Three months later, Senator Chuck Schumer is calling for Megrahi's return to the Scottish prison.

Speculations that Britain agreed to the release to further improve failing business relations with Libya, amounting to billions of pounds, has been denied, but numerous reports and even, correspondence, seems to verify that Scotland was just taking orders from Britain.

The British embassy and its consulates in the US received hundreds of letters and phone calls expressing hostility to the release.

Conservatives in the Scottish parliament are pressing MacAskill to publish Megrahi's medical papers as well as the latest updates on his health. Under the terms of the release Megrahi is required to update officials in Scotland every month via a video link on his medical status.

Bill Aitken, the Scottish Tory justice spokesman, said: "Megrahi lost all rights to patient confidentiality when he became Britain's worst mass murderer. Scotland is still sickened by the sight of his hero's return to Tripoli."

Note that there is no confirmation that Megrahi hooked up via video link.

Update 1-6-09: A few thoughts from Hot Air:

The West, however, has a lot of explaining to do — and not just the UK and Scotland.  The exchange of Megrahi for oil contracts shows everything wrong with handling terrorists as common criminals.  Megrahi was only available for the exchange because Scotland treated him as a murderer instead of a terrorist, and refused to put him to death in the accustomed manner for unlawful combatants at war.  Scotland can be forgiven that decision, given the inexperience we all had at the time of his capture.  The US has much less excuse for doing the same think with Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, and the dozens of Yemenis that Obama seems keen on sending back to Yemen for even less than the UK got from Libya for Megrahi.

The video below is incredible footage of the town of Lockerbie and the houses now decimated by debris and fire. Lockerbie residents talk about this unbelievable event - one talks of the 44 bodies scattered in her backyard with more on her roof. This horrific act of terrorism brought only one man to prison. Al-Megrahi received a life sentence, only to be released 21 years later.



Lockerbie Bombing - Abdelbaset Ali Mohamed al-Megrahi (video) 

Others talking about Abdelbaset Ali Mohamed al-Megrahi:
By Sarah Lyall - a very personal account of the days after Pan Am 103 went down.

Related and Background:
Bay of Rigs Scandal Leaking: Dispersants are Where the Money Is

Abdelbaset Ali Mohamed al-Megrahi Alive 5 Months Later

Saif al-Islam is Muammar Ghaddaffis Son Megrahi Lockerbie Bomber Release Deal?

US Lockerbie Bribes? US Lockerbie Payments? Lockerbie Witnesses Paid by US?

Saif al-Islam is Muammar Ghaddaffis Son: Megrahi Lockerbie Bomber Release Deal?

Saif al-Islam is the son of Muammar Ghaddafi, the leader of the Libyan people and head of the welcome wagon for convicted Libyan terrorist, known as the Lockerbie bomber, Abdel Basset al-Megrahi.

Locker Bomber Release Deal?

Saif al-Islam is praising the Brits for making an energy deal that allowed 57-year old Megrahi to come home to Tripoli. Colonel Gaddafi is praising Queen Elizabeth. The UK is a tad upset. Pan Am flight 103 exploded over the town of Lockerbie on December 21, 1988, killing 270 people, including 11 on the ground. Megrahi is reported to have lived in relative luxury for a few of his short 8 years in prison, while housed in the Barlinnie prison in Glasgow:

Megrahi was segregated in a high-security area dubbed "Gaddafi's Cafe", where there was said to be a "sitting room" and kitchen where Halal food was specially prepared.

His wife and children are said to have moved to the "outskirts of Glasgow so they could visit him. Makes one wonder how they got back to Tripoli. We saw Meghrai in his Nike hat and jog suit walk the stairs to board Ghaddafi's personal airplane, but no family was in sight. The Lockerbie victims arrived home in caskets. Saif is the second oldest of Ghaddafi's seven sons. He is fluent in English, German and French. This report says he has a PhD:

"in governance and international relations from the London School of Economics and is also said to be an architect with his own agency in Tripoli, having studied architecture in Vienna.

UK Business Secretary Lord Mandelson is in the spotlight. Sources say he met with Saif al-Islam one week before Megrahi was released. Mendelson says there was only a "fleeting conversation about the prisoner," but Ghaddafi upped the tension:

Mr Gaddafi told Libyan TV his case was raised during talks over oil and gas and reportedly claimed that the issue had been raised repeatedly by Britain's former prime minister Tony Blair.
"In all commercial contracts, for oil and gas with Britain, (Megrahi) was always on the negotiating table," Mr Gaddafi told Libya's Al Mutawassit channel.

The U.S. was very quiet about Megrahi, the Lockerbie bomber's release. There were no strong statements from the Oval Office until the deed was done and the celebrations began - the hugs, the hand kissing, the cheering crowds. President Obama was "disturbed." It would be unbearable to find that America cut a deal of any kind. As Jihad Watch points out, this is one more reason for the urgent need for energy independence.

Related and Background:
Bay of Rigs Scandal Leaking: Dispersants are Where the Money Is

Abdelbaset Ali Mohamed al-Megrahi Alive 5 Months Later

Saif al-Islam is Muammar Ghaddaffis Son Megrahi Lockerbie Bomber Release Deal?

US Lockerbie Bribes? US Lockerbie Payments? Lockerbie Witnesses Paid by US?

Abdel Basset al Megrahi is Lockerbie Pan Am Flt. 103 Bomber Released?

The man convicted of the Lockerbie bombings, blowing up 259 people on board and 11 on the ground over Lockerbie, Scotland, may soon be released from prison because he has "terminal" prostate cancer. Abdel Basset al Megrahi is the Lockerbie Pan Am Flt. 103 bomber and he is the only person convicted and behind bars for this act of terrorism. See video below.

Abdel Basset al Megrahi

The former Libyan secret service agent is imprisoned in Scotland. The Scots may release this killer on "compassionate" concerns. The Scottish government says Megrahi's case is under "ongoing review." Thirty-five Syracuse University students were aboard that flight on December 21, 1988, with a total of 180 Americans dying in the fiery crash. Arlington National Cemetery has a memorial ceremony each year, and Syracuse University has an annual remembrance service at exactly 2:03 p.m. each December 21st. Holger expresses my sentiments exactly.

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From Holger at Holger Awakens You guessed it, my blood is boiling here. This piece of shit dirt bag, Abdel Basset al Megrahi, convicted of the Lockerbie bombing of the Pan Am flight headed to America that killed 270 people in 1988...who was sentenced to life in prison for the cowardly, hideous terror attack is being released from prison for "compassionate" reasons due to his terminal prostate cancer. Well, I'll tell you what - not only does this mutherfucker deserve to be in prison until he chokes on his last breath, he should have every pain medication withheld from him until that day. Mercy to a piece of shit that killed 270 innocent people? Bullshit! How this bastard didn't get the death penalty is beyond me...oh wait, it's Europe....nevermind. It wouldn't surprise me on iota that this jihadi gets back to his home, calls up some of his buddies and plots the next attack. Once a jihadi, always a jihadi. This is a slap in the face to all family members of the victims of that Pan Am flight - Scotland, what a disgrace to humanity you are today. Here's the slop of a report from Reuters: Lockerbie bomber to be free from Scottish jail: report

LONDON (Reuters) - A former Libyan agent convicted of the 1988 Lockerbie bombing is to be released from a Scottish prison on compassionate grounds, Britain's Sky News television reported Wednesday.

Abdel Basset al Megrahi, who has terminal prostate cancer, was sentenced to life in prison for blowing up a Pan Am airliner over the Scottish town of Lockerbie as it flew from London to New York on December 18, 1988, killing all 259 people on board and 11 people on the ground.

End Holger Awakens. The following video was put together by the nephew of one of the Syracuse University victims, Joshua Hunt-Barry who was 10 years old in 2008 when the video first aired. The aunt he never met, Karen Lee Hunt, was one of the Syracuse University students on-board Lockerbie Pan Am Flt. 103. Joshua narrates the video. Lockerbie Pan Am Flt. 103