Word: al-megrahi
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Scotland in the Spotlight I think the release of al-Megrahi was unprincipled and shortsighted [Sept. 14]. But before getting steamed up about it, Americans should remember that for 30 years the U.S. gave a safe haven to scores of Irish terrorists implicated in the murder of innocent British civilians. Irish terrorists sincerely believed that their cause justified murder - so do Islamic terrorists. And it's natural for Americans to feel that the deaths of Americans matter more than the deaths of Britons, but they cannot expect Britons to agree with them. David Watkins, CARDIFF...
Once again we see financial and political interests come before justice and decency. Al-Megrahi's release from prison after only eight years is shameful, and even more so since it was officially based on "compassionate grounds." Where is the compassion for the 270 people who died, and their loved ones? Stefania Lionetti, LUGO, ITALY...
...al-Megrahi affair might make the special relationship a bit less special? That's fine by me: the special relationship committed us to the senseless war in Iraq. If the release of al-Megrahi really was done to further British interests in Libya, it was still the decision of an independent democracy and no different from what the U.S. would have done in similar circumstances. Chris Washington, CHEADLE, ENGLAND...
...Scotland in the Spotlight I think the release of Abdel Basset Ali Al-Megrahi was unprincipled and shortsighted [Sept. 14]. But Americans, before getting steamed up about it, should remember that for 30 years the U.S. gave a safe haven to scores of Irish terrorists implicated in the murder of innocent British civilians. Irish terrorists sincerely believed that their cause justified murder; so do Islamic terrorists. And it's natural for Americans to feel that the deaths of Americans matter more than the deaths of Britons - but they cannot expect Britons to agree with them. David Watkins, Cardiff...
Gaddafi thanked Britain for helping secure al-Megrahi's release. A British newspaper reported that Gaddafi's son (and possible successor) Seif al-Islam Gaddafi told al-Megrahi during the flight home that he was "on the table in all commercial, oil and gas agreements." British Foreign Secretary David Miliband vociferously rejects that claim, as does Business Secretary Lord Peter Mandelson, who twice met Seif this year. British officials must hope the brouhaha blows over soon. Because Libya's oil is light and low in sulfur, it is prized for being among the easiest to refine. And since Libya...