Libya must not be held hostage by greed

[This is the heading over a long letter by Joseph M Cachia in today's edition of the Maltese newspaper The Independent on Sunday. It reads as follows.]

“Greed is the inventor of injustice as well as the current enforcer” – Julian Casablancas

The clamour following the release of Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi had hardly died down when the headlines of the US media barked out: “Terrorist celebrated in Libya”.

What shame and hypocrisy!

Why shouldn’t al-Megrahi be given a hero’s welcome and met with scenes of jubilation, especially by his family and close friends? Wasn’t a 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 jubilant 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 motive. It seems that revenge is a dish best served cold, off the human menu and serving 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 that welcomed this unfortunate man back home does, beyond any doubt, credit to them.

Moreover, not only Libya but also various other competent authorities have always 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 to say that his attempt to challenge his conviction and clear his name is deplorable. What point have we reached? Is it justice to deprive anyone of the chance to prove his innocence?

Although it appears that the US 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 US President cares to give Al-Megrahi’s conviction a second look, reading the book Cover-up of Convenience – The Hidden Scandal of Lockerbie, co-authored by investigative journalist Ian Ferguson, would surely prevent 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, no one at the Foreign Office was prepared to comment.

What was the reason for the film The Maltese Double Cross – Lockerbie being so fiercely criticised by the US 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 Lockerbie victims £803 million in compensation.

The conditions of the deal included the lifting of the United Nations sanctions against Libya, the removal of US sanctions and the removal of Libya from the US 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 came 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 to the $10 million each for relatives of the victims of PA 103. Still more avarice – a ceaseless, overwhelming desire for more.

How many of the relatives of victims of the Lockerbie bombing, who recently protested outside the UN 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 year 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 al-Megrahi was based on greed, as has been implied by various media, it definitely wasn’t on the part of the Libyan government.

Contagious avarice
When the British were calling the IRA terrorists, American sympathisers funded and protected them and called them “freedom fighters”.

Remember the wisecrack: “the safest place to be in London during an IRA bombing campaign is 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 said 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, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has now changed his stance to support compensation claims against Libya by the 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 agrees to pay compensation, the US government will not let itself be outdone and will likewise agree to offer a hefty compensation!

But President Gaddafi’s son, Saif al Islam, told Sky News that the matter would 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 no one can disagree with his statement that any such claims will be rejected.

Libya must no longer remain captive to greed.

Finally, may I suggest that all those who are still dubious about the facts regarding the Lockerbie drama, and are willing to learn the whole story, 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)