By Joseph M. Cachia
The clamour following the release of Abdelbaset Ali Al-Megrahi has hardly died down.
‘Terrorist celebrated in Libya ’ barked the headlines of U.S. media.
What shame and hypocrisy!
Why shouldn’t Al-Megrahi be returned to a hero’s welcome and be met with scenes of jubilation, especially by his family members, relatives and close friends? Wasn’t the hero’s welcome given to Al Amin Khalifa Fhimah, the other accused and acquitted, equally and rightfully deserving?
Back in 2001, when Al-Megrahi was convicted of the bombing by a Scottish court, the newspapers were filled with pictures of happy relatives of the victims of the 1988 bombing of PanAm 103. Admittedly, they had believed that justice had been meted out, albeit doubtfully.So, what’s wrong with welcoming home a man whom his countrymen strongly believe to have been unjustly convicted?
What disturbs me most about this matter is the revenge motif. It seems that revenge is a dish best served cold, off the human menu and serves no genuine purpose. The lack of compassion expressed by some shows that they are no better than any terrorist.
I lived in Libya for over three years, so know first hand that most Libyan people are peaceful, hospitable, and generous. The spontaneous warm celebration welcoming this unfortunate man back home does, beyond any doubt, credit to them.
Moreover, not only Libya but various other competent authorities, havealways perceived Al-Megrahi as innocent.
As he quite rightly said: “I have returned to Tripoli with my UNJUST conviction still in place.” It is extremely shameful for anyone saying that his attempt to challenge his conviction and clear his name is deplorable. Where have we arrived at? Is it justice to deprive one the chance of proving his innocence?
Although it appears that the U.S. President was not properly informed about the Al-Megrahi case, he did not hesitate to condemn Scottish Justice for his compassionate release. And what now. Mr. President, if Mr. Al-Megrahi, is finally proved innocent? Perhaps, if the U.S. President cares to give the Al-Megrahi’s conviction a second look, reading the book, ‘Cover-up of Convenience – The Hidden Scandal of Lockerbie’, co-authored by Ian Ferguson, an investigative journalist, would surely restrain him from being so vociferous in his unabashed convictions!
When asked whether Britain would consider reimbursing Libya in the event of Mr. Al-Megrahi’s exoneration, all at the Foreign Office declined to comment.
What was the reason that the film, ‘The Maltese Double Cross – Lockerbie’, was so fiercely criticised by the U.S. and British governments that subsequently it had to be withdrawn from public viewing?
Truth is everyone’s right and it seems it is still being denied to us.
In a move agreed to by the US and British governments, Libya had offered compensation to the relatives of those killed in the bombing.
In February 2004, the Libyan Prime Minister formally declared that his country was innocent but was forced to pay-up as a "price for peace". The Libyan government paid the relatives of the Lockerie victims £803 million in compensation.
The conditions in the deal included; the lifting of the United Nations sanctions against Libya, the removal of U.S. sanctions and the removal of Libya from the U.S. list of States ‘sponsoring terrorism’. Anything goes as long as it’s paid for! At that time even the Maltese government had offered support to the Libyan stance. Anything goes as long as it’s paid for!
The only objections to the Libyan initiative had come from the French government. Citing the much lower sums offered by Libya to relatives of victims of another aircraft bombing, the French government has demanded a comparable level of compensation for the victims. The victim’s relatives were paid up to $33,000 each by Libya , in contrast with $10 million each for relatives of victims of PA 103. Still more avarice! A ceaseless overwhelming desire for more.
How many of the relatives of victims of the Lockerbie bombing, recently protesting outside the U.N. building at President Gaddafi's appearance, were recipients of Libya ’s contributions?
Seif Al Islam Gaddafi, son of the Libyan leader, angered Lockerbie victims relatives last years when he said they were ‘very greedy’ and ‘trading with the blood of their sons and daughters’ in their battle for compensation’. That’s nothing but the honest truth!
If the release of Mr. Megrahi was based on greed, as has been implied by various media, it definitely wasn’t from the side of the Libyan government.
Contagious Avarice
When the British were calling the I.R.A. terrorists, American sympathizers funded and protected them and called them ‘freedom fighters’.
Remember the wisecrack – ‘the safest place to be in London during an IRA bombing campaign was any branch of McDonalds, as they would never ever blow up a business outlet of one of their US supporters’.
Previously, the British government had always stated it would not intervene in compensation claims brought by victims of explosives and weaponry allegedly supplied to the IRA by Libya .
Still reeling from the row surrounding the release of Abdel Basset al-Megrahi, Gordon Brown, the British prime minister, has now changed his stance to support compensation claims against Libya by victims of IRA attacks.
In a shameless U-turn, Gordon Brown has now thrown his support behind the victims of IRA bombings when they head to Libya to demand compensation from Colonel Gaddafi, including the assignment of a dedicated staff from the foreign office to support the victims and their families. Hopefully, if the Libyan government accepts to donate compensation, the U.S. government will not let itself be outdone and would likewise agree to offer a hefty compensation!
But President Gaddafi's son, Saif al Islam, told Sky News that the matter will be argued in court. "Anyone can knock at our door and ask for money," he said. "But we go to the courts. They have their lawyers, we have our lawyers."
I am convinced that none can disagree with his statement that any such claims will be rejected.
Libya must no longer remain captive to greed. Finally, may I suggest to all who are still dubious about the facts regarding the Lockerbie drama and are willing to learn the whole story to visit the new website: ‘Abdelbaset Ali Al-Megrahi - My Story’.
“Justice must prevail beyond all other considerations. Beyond politics, convictions, religion, even compassion (and certainly expedience), regardless of one's sympathies, JUSTICE must be the banner that unites us. This is more than pity for a dying man; this is a demand for justice.” (Danton de Vouvray)
© 2009 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
