WikiLeaks Megrahi cables: CODEL McCain raises Megrahi with Libyan leader

Published on 03/06/2011 17:07

This is the text of a US diplomatic cable about the release of Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, obtained by WikiLeaks and made available to The Scotsman.

14 AUGUST 2009 12:37

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TRIPOLI 000661

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/MAG, EUR/WE, H, AND L

E.O. 12958: DECL: 8/14/2019

TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PHUM, UK, LY

SUBJECT: CODEL MCCAIN RAISES MEGRAHI WITH LIBYAN LEADER

REF: A) 07 TRIPOLI 656; B) 07 TRIPOLII 695

TRIPOLI 00000661 001.2 OF 002

CLASSIFIED BY: Joan Polaschik, Charge d'Affaires, U.S. Embassy

Tripoli, Department of State.

REASON: 1.4 (b), (d)

1. (C) Summary: In an August 14 meeting, CODEL McCain told

Libyan Leader Muammar al-Qadhafi and National Security Advisor

Muatassim al-Qadhafi that the possible release of convicted Pan

Am 103 bomber Abdel Basset al-Megrahi from a Scottish prison is

a very sensitive issue for the American public, and strongly

urged the Libyan Goverment to handle the release - if it happens

- in a way that would strengthen the growing relationship

between our two countries, rather than hinder its progress.

While Muatassim al-Qadhafi bristled at the message, Muammar

al-Qadhafi calmly made the point that Megrahi was, in the eyes

of several international organizations, a "political captive"

who was gravely ill. Both Qadhafis likened Megrahi's case to

that of the Bulgarian nurses, who were released from a Libyan

prison last year, and also argued that the Libyan Government

could not control popular reaction to Megrahi's potential

release. We believe the CODEL's message was helpful to our goal

of laying down a marker for a measured GOL response to Megrahi's

release. Other topics discussed in the meetings will be

reported septel. End Summary.

MUATASSIM INSISTS MEGRAHI IS INNOCENT

2. (C) During an August 14 meeting with National Security

Advisor Muatassim al-Qadhafi, CODEL McCain conveyed the message

that the decision that is expected to be made in Scotland next

week regarding the release of Pan Am 103 bomber Abdel Basset

al-Megrahi will be very sensitive to the American public. The

Senators emphasized that, as friends, the United States and

Libya must address the issue openly. Senator Lieberman

explained that Libya's official response to the possible release

of Megrahi would influence bilateral relations - positively or

negatively - and could represent a step backwards if Libya

offers Megrahi a hero's welcome. Muatassim reacted defensively,

telling the CODEL that Megrahi "is an innocent man, and we

believe it." Muatassim then compared Megrahi's case to that of

the Bulgarian nurses convicted in Libya of intentionally

infecting 400 Libyan children with the HIV virus, arguing that

they had been welcomed in Bulgaria as returning heroes even

though they had been sentenced to life in prison (Ref A). He

stressed that the Libya-EU MOU involving the transfer of the

Bulgarian nurses specified that they would complete their life

sentences in prison. "They were released even before they

arrived at the airport," he lamented (Ref B). Regarding

Megrahi's potential homecoming, Muatassim stressed that the

people govern Libya and as such, "they will express their will

in whichever way they like." He stated that Libyan officials

"cannot stop the people if they celebrate in freedom."

QADHAFI SAYS THE LIBYAN PEOPLE WILL DECIDE HOW TO RESPOND ON

MEGRAHI

3. (C) Stressing that they were raising the issue in the

strongest spirit of friendship and respect, the Senators

addressed the potential release of Megrahi with Muammar

al-Qadhafi during their follow-on meeting with him. Senator

Lieberman forecasted that a hero's welcome for Megrahi would

represent the first crisis in the renewed U.S.-Libya

relationship and that both sides would have to work hard to

ensure that it does not damage the relationship. The elder

Qadhafi's reaction to the Senators' comments regarding Megrahi

was much more measured than that of his son, though his words

were similar. He began by commenting that all of the decisions

made by international organizations and groups - including the

Arab League, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the

Non-Aligned Movement, and the African Union - regarding Megrahi

described him as a "political captive," who had taken the fall -

in a political verdict - in place of the "real culprit."

Stating that Megrahi was at the disposal of the U.S. and UK, he

calmly argued that Megrahi had not been given the chance to see

a doctor regularly and was now "gravely ill," explaining that he

was serving out his death sentence in the most literal sense.

4. (C) Qadhafi, who remained relaxed throughout Senator

Lieberman's remarks and pointedly shushed Muatassim when he

tried to intervene, told the CODEL that he understood the

Senators' need to speak on behalf of the American people. Noting

that the Libyan Government also must be responsive to public

opinion, Muammar al-Qadhafi proceeded to compare Megrahi's case

to the Bulgarian nurses, reiterating his son's remark that the

nurses were released from their sentences even before they

reached the airport to return to their home country. Calling

them murderers, he remarked in a tone of disbelief that they

were welcomed home by the Bulgarian President himself. Qadhafi

emphasized that if Megrahi was released, neither he nor any

other Libyan official could control the manner in which the

Libyan people reacted. "They could even demonstrate against me,"

TRIPOLI 00000661 002.2 OF 002

he said. Lieberman noted Qadhafi's views but stressed that he

hoped the two sides could manage this issue. Qadhafi ended the

conversation by stating that "we have to accept the challenge

and face it."

CODEL PRESS STATEMENT

5. (SBU) The CODEL later echoed these remarks in its August 14

press availability. (Note: The CODEL's written statement,

delivered by Senator McCain, was sent by email to NEA/MAG and

NEA/PPD. End note.) In his remarks, Senator Lieberman further

underscored the Megrahi message, noting that this "possibly

could be the first crisis in our bilateral relationship." He

had prefaced this statement with very positive comments about

the bilateral relationship that praised Libya's decision to

abandon its WMD programs, highlighted ongoing cooperation, and

expressed hope for the possibility of expanded security

cooperation.

COMMENT

6. (C) Comment: To the best of our collective knowledge, this is

the first time that any U.S. official has raised Megrahi's

potential release with Muammar al-Qadhafi. Senior MFA contacts

had strongly urged CDA to encourage the CODEL not to raise the

issue with Qadhafi, arguing that the issue was extremely

sensitive and could have negative repercussions for the

relationship. (Note: We had advised the CODEL that this was

indeed a sensitive issue, but that it was entirely their call as

to whether and how to raise the issue. End note.) Judging from

his body language, Qadhafi did not appear to take any immediate

offense to the discussion, and the meeting continued for another

10-15 minutes without any discernable change in tone.

7. (C) Comment continued: Both Qadhafis seemed to appreciate the

need for the CODEL to share the views of the American people,

and made it clear that Libya's response to any potential Megrahi

release would in turn be determined by the Libyan people. Left

unspoken, of course, was the huge role that the Libyan

Government plays in orchestrating popular opinion and churning

out the masses for public rallies. We believe the CODEL's

message was very helpful to our goal of laying down the marker

for a measured GOL response to Megrahi's release, and it could

be a useful buildling block for any future messages from the

Department.

8. (U) CODEL McCain did not have the opportunity to clear this

message prior to departure.

POLASCHIK