Anger as Americans wake to hear news

Published on Thursday 20 August 2009 22:01

THE United States woke yesterday to the news that Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi had been released.

The major news networks led with the anger of relatives of the 189 American citizens who died in the Lockerbie bombing, and their fears he would be given a hero's welcome in his homeland.

Bert Ammerman, whose brother was on Flight 103, told CNN: "He should have remained in prison then, after his death, his body could have been returned to Libya. He's going to be received as a hero in Libya."

Susan Cohen, of New Jersey, whose daughter Theodora, 20, was killed, told Fox News: "My daughter is the one who deserves compassion. The Scots have folded very cowardly."

Megrahi's release was the top story on the Washington Post website, with Frank Duggan, president of Victims of Pan Am 103, writing: "It is a sad day. I am afraid we will see some dancing in the end zone when he (Megrahi] gets home."

Writing in the newspaper's "Under God" column, which looks at "the daily news and what we do in the name of God", David Waters questioned whether Kenny MacAskill had done the right thing.

He said: "Mass murderers deserve justice, but mercy? It's a courageous and controversial stand for any government official to take, but is it correct?"

However, another correspondent, Ashby Jones, law blogger for the Wall Street Journal, played devil's advocate. "What's wrong with allowing someone – even a convicted murderer of 259 (sic] people – to spend the last 90 days or so of his life in his home country, outside of prison?" he asked.

Meanwhile, the headlines in the Tripoli Post reflected the belief of most Libyans that Megrahi was innocent. "The Libyan citizen Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, who has been unjustly convicted in the Lockerbie case has been freed Thursday morning. He will be arriving in Tripoli shortly," the newspaper declared.

US backlash

WITHIN minutes of justice secretary Kenny MacAskill announcing the release of the Lockerbie bomber, a website, www.boycottscotland.com, was launched in the United States.

While it could be dismissed as a knee-jerk reaction, the site symbolises the fears that many have about the damage done to relations between the US and Scotland.

But the almost instant reaction of President Barack Obama to get a close aide to convey his anger to Mr MacAskill will serve as a chilling wake-up call that the decision may have a far-reaching impact.

And the fury of American relatives of the bomb attack's victims has been mirrored by the senators lining up to condemn the decision. Former presidential nominee John Kerry said the concept of compassion had been "turned on its head".

Last night CBI Scotland said it did not question Mr MacAskill's judgment, but it was concerned about the effect on US business relations. "I hope it will not impact on tourism or any other trade with America," said CBI director Iain McMillan.