Saturday 4 December 2010

WikiLeaks: US Libyan ambassador's meeting with Saif

[The following are excerpts from a cable sent by the US embassy in Tripoli on St Andrew's Day 2009, following a meeting between the US ambassador to Libya Gene Cretz and Saif al-Islam Gaddafi on 27 November:]

The ambassador noted that the relationship had seen several advancements and several serious setbacks since Saif's last visit to the United States, including the August 20 hero's welcome accorded to Lockerbie bomber Abdel Basset al-Megrahi by Saif himself. Megrahi's return had severely offended American sensitivities and renewed tensions that set the relationship back. Until that point, there had been significant progress (...)

Saif acknowledged that he was disconnected for a long time from the bilateral relationship and recognized that the hero's welcome for Megrahi had set engagement back. He reiterated that he was "back" on the scene and could serve as the "trouble-shooter" for any future problems. He urged the ambassador to contact his office directly in times of crisis. He also promised to resolve the visa issue, stating that he understood the importance of a transparent and reliable system of issuance. In their one-on-one discussion afterwards, the ambassador asked Saif to explain his actions when he accompanied Megrahi back to Tripoli. Saif said he knew what the reaction in the West would be, but that it did not constitute an "official" welcome. He had worked on the release for a long time, he was not a public official, and there were no international media like Al Jazeera present. In addition, Saif claimed that the Libyans would someday find a way to show that Megrahi was innocent. The ambassador reiterated the damage the welcome had done and said no amount of justification could undo that. Saif nodded his understanding.

5 comments:

  1. MISSION LOCKERBIE:

    The dropping of *Al-Megrahi's successful promising appeal (*wrongly sentenced) becomes ever more doubtful ?
    The dubious "Corfu Deal" under Security (alleged for Libya's future ?) was a criminal matter and must be on order of Libya's Leader Muammar Gaddafi and the General People's Congress in Tripoli, pursued by the Justice of Libyan Jamahiriya...

    Professor Dr. Hans Koechler, UN Observer during "Lockerbie trial" held in Kamp van Zeist points out a servere error, which was not happening for the first time...

    Professor Dr Koechler explained to me personaly, that it is a generaly accepted principle of right, that such decision is only valid, wehn this desicion has been made in full liberty. Professor Koechler has furthermore immediately after the desicion of with drawal was made public asked, that all circumstances, which have lead to this desicion must be 100% cleared-including the role, which was "played" by his (Megrahi's) defense-team Anthony J. Kelly !

    Supported by Justice of Libyan Jamahirija, an Scottish Inquiry into conviction of the wrongly sentenced Mr. Al-Megrahi, should go ahed.
    Libya and Mr. Al Megrahi do not have anything to do with the PanAm 103 tragedy !
    The game is on; there is now nothing stopping a new search for the real culprits behind the atrocity on PanAm 103...

    by Edwin and Mahnaz Bollier, MEBO Ltd., Switzerland,
    URL: www.lockerbie.ch

    ReplyDelete
  2. Consider the timing of Gathafi's comments when the Wikileaks data is being published. Is ha aware of some juicy piece of information pending?

    ReplyDelete
  3. MiSSION LOCKERBIE:

    Here you can find again the documentary film 'Lockerbie Revisited' of Gideon Levy, on a new server, URL:

    http://www.123video.nl/playvideos.asp?MovieID=593392

    We do not hope a protest of ex FBI Special Agent Richard A. Marquise, led the U.S. Task Force which included the FBI Department of Justice und the Central Intelligence Agency. He managed all aspects of the investigation...

    by Edwin and Mahnaz Bollier, MEBO Ltd., Switzerland, URL: www.lockerbie.ch

    ReplyDelete
  4. Lockerbie Revisited is still available on the VPRO server, Edwin (see http://tegenlicht.vpro.nl/afleveringen/2008-2009/lockerbie-revisited.html).

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks Patrick Haseldine,
    the URL is ok, but the Film is blocked !
    best Edwin

    ReplyDelete