I’ve been reading of the collective rage levelled at British Petroleum as a result of their lobbying efforts in 2007 for the compassionate release of Abdulbasset al-Megrahi, the lone convicted Lockerbie bomber. Sure BP’s main intent was to secure a $900 million drilling contract with the Libyan government, but ultimately the case was going to be heard. As you may recall, he received a heroes welcome of sorts back home in Libya much to the anguish of the International community, especially those who had family and friends aboard the ill-fated 1988 Pan Am flight bound for New York.
We now have a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the actions of BP in this matter, lead by none other than Senator John Kerry.
Lest we forget the details, where we know the devil surely lies, the Libyan government admitted responsibility for the act in 2003 in a letter to the President of the UN Security Council. This along with a cash payment to the victims of $2.7 billion bought Libya a return to the diplomatic and trade graces of the US and the international community.
So my question is this: Why does the United States government feel entitled to the lofty, sainted position that allows them to investigate BP for their actions, when they themselves essentially forgave the Libyan government for their role in the bombing years earlier?
Forgive me for being a cynic, but could there be a connection between BP’s deep pockets and media value, and the US government’s forgiving nature towards an oil rich, publicly confessed terrorist? Could it be that somewhere along the way Washington has traded her honour for a heart of greed?
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