General
Wednesday, 31 August 2011 04:45
65 Comments
By a Newsnet reporter 
A letter discovered in the offices of Libya’s former Intelligence Chief Abdullah al-Senussi appears to cast more doubt on claims that Abdelbaset al-Megrahi was involved in the Lockerbie atrocity.
In the letter, written by the Libyan when he was still in Greenock prison, Megrahi insists he is innocent of the crime and blames his conviction on “fraudulent information”.
The Wall Street Journal reports that the letter was discovered in the offices of Mr al-Senussi who was a trusted official in the Gaddafi regime.
According to the Journal: “The letter to Mr. Senussi was found in a steel, four-drawer filing cabinet in the intelligence chief's office in Tripoli. The cabinet had been forced open, apparently by rebels who shot holes in the lock. The office lay in shambles, but many of Mr. Senussi's personal papers appeared untouched.”
In the letter Mr Megrahi says: "I am an innocent man," and blames "fraudulent information that was relayed to investigators by Libyan collaborators."
He blamed "the immoral British and American investigators" who he writes "knew there was foul play and irregularities in the investigation of the 1980s."
In the letter Mr Megrahi refers to the Maltese shopkeeper Tony Gauci and says: "You my brother know very well that they were making false claims against me and that I didn't buy any clothes at all from any store owner in Malta,"
Mr. Megrahi also mentioned "our big brother," a probable reference to Col. Gaddafi, "that our legal affairs are excellent and we now stand on very solid ground."
If authentic then the letter will undermine the current claims from many Scottish media commentators who, since the discovery of Megrahi dying in his family home, are insisting that the Libyan knew more about Lockerbie.
It also calls into question the role of Libya itself in the atrocity given that the letter was addressed to the head of Gaddafi’s Intelligence Services who, had the state been involved in the downing of Pan Am 103, would have certainly been in a position to know that Megrahi was innocent or not.
The discovery of the letter is uncomfortable for US and UK administrations who are already facing claims that they were complicit in what Dr Jim Swire called a “politically motivated crusade”.
This evening, journalist John Ashton who is writing Mr Megrahi’s story, claimed to have seen evidence “scandalously” withheld from Megrahi’s trial that points to the bombing having been carried out by a group commissioned by Iran to avenge the downing of a domestic Iranian Airliner by a US warship months before the downing of Pan Am 103.
Mr Ashton spoke of his fears that evidence may be “concocted” at the behest of the US and the UK in order to prevent a “major embarrassment” to both governments.
Comments
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2011-08-30 18:51
There really isn't anything left to say; Mr Ashton made it very clear that he was concerned about "manufactured" evidence - what happened I wonder? Did the UK Government not manage to find anyone to go through all papers found so that this "embarrassment" wouldn't see the light of day.
I feel profoundly sad that the BBC, cheered on by the UK Government, have made use of Mr Megrahi as a stick to beat the SNP with. I feel even sadder that Scottish Politicians have behaved like a lynch mob, and allowed themselves to become pawns of the Westminster spin machines. Not an iota of integrity!
I rest easy in the knowledge that, regardless of guilt or innocence, I would not have wanted to see anyone go through the (often) long and painful disease that Mr Megrahi suffers from. And for anyone who imagines it to be different, Chemotherapy is almost as unbearable as the disease itself. Anyone who has watched a friend or loved one go through Cancer knows this.
I feel profoundly sad that the BBC, cheered on by the UK Government, have made use of Mr Megrahi as a stick to beat the SNP with. I feel even sadder that Scottish Politicians have behaved like a lynch mob, and allowed themselves to become pawns of the Westminster spin machines. Not an iota of integrity!
I rest easy in the knowledge that, regardless of guilt or innocence, I would not have wanted to see anyone go through the (often) long and painful disease that Mr Megrahi suffers from. And for anyone who imagines it to be different, Chemotherapy is almost as unbearable as the disease itself. Anyone who has watched a friend or loved one go through Cancer knows this.
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2011-08-31 01:26
We really should give the Americans more credit for their compassion... they are offering Mr Magrahi a dignified and painless end from his agony via lethal injection.
At a time when those who wish for a dignified and painless end to their critical illness in the good ol' UK of England, have to travel out of the UK to Dignitas, it just shows how much we have slipped in our humanity!!!
At a time when those who wish for a dignified and painless end to their critical illness in the good ol' UK of England, have to travel out of the UK to Dignitas, it just shows how much we have slipped in our humanity!!!
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2011-08-30 19:37
I think mr ashton should be very carefull as to where he keeps his papers and files that relate to his investigation.
There will be many politicians here and in the states who would be relieved if mr ashton were to vanish and his files destroyed,Far fetched,I think not.
There will be many politicians here and in the states who would be relieved if mr ashton were to vanish and his files destroyed,Far fetched,I think not.
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2011-08-30 21:08
Indeed, we all remember Willie MacRae, found out side Fort William, with a bullet in his head. For which their never has been ANY explanation.
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2011-08-30 22:59
Found 40 miles outside Fort William. I wouldn't describe Airdrie as "outside Edinburgh". But yes, deeply suspicious.
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2011-08-31 09:39
Quoting Lianachan:
Indeed Wullie managed to shoot himself in the head before throwing his pistol 50 yds from him, and then searching through his own car whilst spiriting away his own papers, a very peculiar case not unlike one Dr Kelly's. The dna of Yookanian spooks are all over these deaths.
The dreadful Dunblane massacre, is another tragedy being kept under the state secrecy blanket.
It annoys me no end that now the SNP have the ball at their feet that they will not open these events to full public scrutiny, what possible reason can they have for secrecy? Or is it simply that they feel the expense involved does not justify the howling the Unionist agents would no doubt create. We should be told. I would love to see the SNP create 100% transparency in Government, in line with the Swedish model. Swedish models are always a good starting point I find ;o)
Found 40 miles outside Fort William. I wouldn't describe Airdrie as "outside Edinburgh". But yes, deeply suspicious.
Indeed Wullie managed to shoot himself in the head before throwing his pistol 50 yds from him, and then searching through his own car whilst spiriting away his own papers, a very peculiar case not unlike one Dr Kelly's. The dna of Yookanian spooks are all over these deaths.
The dreadful Dunblane massacre, is another tragedy being kept under the state secrecy blanket.
It annoys me no end that now the SNP have the ball at their feet that they will not open these events to full public scrutiny, what possible reason can they have for secrecy? Or is it simply that they feel the expense involved does not justify the howling the Unionist agents would no doubt create. We should be told. I would love to see the SNP create 100% transparency in Government, in line with the Swedish model. Swedish models are always a good starting point I find ;o)
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2011-08-31 11:11
Call for new probe of SNP activist Willie McRae's death
bbc.co.uk/.../...
"SNP councillor and former policeman John Finnie has asked Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini to look at the case.
Mr Finnie has urged her to release any official details so far kept secret in the same way confidential information on the death of UK government adviser Dr David Kelly were made public last month.
In a letter to Ms Angiolini, the SNP group leader on Highland Council said: "The circumstances of Willie McRae's death, and the subsequent investigation, have led to a quarter of a century of speculation and public disquiet.
"Public confidence in the functions of state is very important, indeed, the UK government stated that their recent decision to release 'new details' about Dr David Kelly's death was 'in the interests of maintaining public confidence'.
"I ask you to display similar understanding of the public's need and institute a full investigation into all the circumstances surrounding the death of Willie McRae."
Mr McRae was travelling from Glasgow to his holiday home in Kintail.
Following the discovery of the gunshot wound, police recovered the weapon some distance from where his car crashed. There were no fingerprints on the gun.
No fatal accident inquiry was held and Mr McRae's death remains unsolved."
bbc.co.uk/.../...
"SNP councillor and former policeman John Finnie has asked Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini to look at the case.
Mr Finnie has urged her to release any official details so far kept secret in the same way confidential information on the death of UK government adviser Dr David Kelly were made public last month.
In a letter to Ms Angiolini, the SNP group leader on Highland Council said: "The circumstances of Willie McRae's death, and the subsequent investigation, have led to a quarter of a century of speculation and public disquiet.
"Public confidence in the functions of state is very important, indeed, the UK government stated that their recent decision to release 'new details' about Dr David Kelly's death was 'in the interests of maintaining public confidence'.
"I ask you to display similar understanding of the public's need and institute a full investigation into all the circumstances surrounding the death of Willie McRae."
Mr McRae was travelling from Glasgow to his holiday home in Kintail.
Following the discovery of the gunshot wound, police recovered the weapon some distance from where his car crashed. There were no fingerprints on the gun.
No fatal accident inquiry was held and Mr McRae's death remains unsolved."
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2011-08-31 11:54
From last December. I can't recall it ever amounting to much, although it did slightly raise awareness of the murder suicide.
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2011-08-30 19:41
From Robert Black's Lockerbie blog, and as reported in the Times yesterday:
"Mr Mohammed al-Alagi, a former head of Libya's Human Rights Association, complained that British and American politicians were putting unfair pressure on Libya's fledgling government to send the Lockerbie bomber back to Scotland, but promised to do all he could to reveal who was really responsible for Britain's worst terrorist outrage.
[Mr al-Alagi has already stated that Megrahi is innocent.]"
The truth will out, I suspect sooner rather than later, events seem to be converging. When is John Ashton's work to be published?
P.S. I don't know whether that was loose reporting in the Times or not, or whether those were Mr al-Alagi's words and if so whether he really meant them as they came out, but British and U.S. governments have absolutely no jurisdiction to "send him back to Scotland".
"Mr Mohammed al-Alagi, a former head of Libya's Human Rights Association, complained that British and American politicians were putting unfair pressure on Libya's fledgling government to send the Lockerbie bomber back to Scotland, but promised to do all he could to reveal who was really responsible for Britain's worst terrorist outrage.
[Mr al-Alagi has already stated that Megrahi is innocent.]"
The truth will out, I suspect sooner rather than later, events seem to be converging. When is John Ashton's work to be published?
P.S. I don't know whether that was loose reporting in the Times or not, or whether those were Mr al-Alagi's words and if so whether he really meant them as they came out, but British and U.S. governments have absolutely no jurisdiction to "send him back to Scotland".
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2011-08-30 19:53
Good God - This letter very strongly indicates what any thinking person has known for a long time.
Poor Mr Megrahi. I take comfort from the fact that the Scottish Government took the correct and compassionate action, despite all the lies, political pressure, half-truths and spin.
I find it reprehensible that the BBC, and especially glen campbell, were the main cheerleaders in the witchhunt.
I have always wanted to know who handed-out the Saltires in Tripoli ? Possibly now we may find out ?
Not a single BBC governor should be allowed to remain.
Poor Mr Megrahi. I take comfort from the fact that the Scottish Government took the correct and compassionate action, despite all the lies, political pressure, half-truths and spin.
I find it reprehensible that the BBC, and especially glen campbell, were the main cheerleaders in the witchhunt.
I have always wanted to know who handed-out the Saltires in Tripoli ? Possibly now we may find out ?
Not a single BBC governor should be allowed to remain.
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2011-08-30 20:36
I remember hearing that too, but I don't remember where the rumour started (or if it was true).
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2011-08-31 09:50
Quoting Lianachan:
If you look closely at the video footage you will see that a good number of the cheering crowd are all dressed in similar fashion with what appears to be a uniform of white shirts and hats. Also the saltires were brand new, with the creases still visible. I have heard it said that many of the cheering crowd were indeed Embassy workers who were issued with the saltires. It was so obviously contrived for the cameras. The regime would be willing accomplices in order to cover up the dirty deals.
It should be easy enough now for a good investigative journalist to locate these workers and question them. I will volunteer if someone will pay my expenses. It is only fair as I was a young soldier in 69, who was in the Lybian desert near Whaddan when Ghadiffi kicked us out ;O) I would love to go back and find my hat.
Watch as Eck destroys Something of The Night Howard, on QT.
www.youtube.com/.../
I remember hearing that too, but I don't remember where the rumour started (or if it was true).
If you look closely at the video footage you will see that a good number of the cheering crowd are all dressed in similar fashion with what appears to be a uniform of white shirts and hats. Also the saltires were brand new, with the creases still visible. I have heard it said that many of the cheering crowd were indeed Embassy workers who were issued with the saltires. It was so obviously contrived for the cameras. The regime would be willing accomplices in order to cover up the dirty deals.
It should be easy enough now for a good investigative journalist to locate these workers and question them. I will volunteer if someone will pay my expenses. It is only fair as I was a young soldier in 69, who was in the Lybian desert near Whaddan when Ghadiffi kicked us out ;O) I would love to go back and find my hat.
Watch as Eck destroys Something of The Night Howard, on QT.
www.youtube.com/.../
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2011-08-30 20:07
I'v said in numerous threads on this topic- AS and our Government have known all along he was innocent. Remember what they have said continously all along, each time they were asked why did they release him " It was done for all the right reasons " They knew the day would come when the truth would prevail, and have shown they are one step ahead of the rest of the world and would rather lose face than let an innocent man die in prison. Something the uk goverment would never dream of doing. I'm so proud of Our First Minister and our Government
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2011-08-30 20:08
So it looks US and UK politicians have deliberately lied to their own people about Libya's involvement in Lockerbie. It is little wonder that they are now attempting to silence people by threats of extradition and being tried and charged.
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2011-08-30 20:23
Wonder what the deal was to help assist the rebels in the overthrow of Gadaffi by the UK and US governments.
Whatever you do, don't let them know the truth.
But will the new Libyan Government play ball. They have already told hague to p... off and have told NATO we wont be having any peacekeepers here, we'll deal with it ourselves. Maybe, just maybe they'll want to clear Mr Megrahi, and Libya's, name from this atrocity
Whatever you do, don't let them know the truth.
But will the new Libyan Government play ball. They have already told hague to p... off and have told NATO we wont be having any peacekeepers here, we'll deal with it ourselves. Maybe, just maybe they'll want to clear Mr Megrahi, and Libya's, name from this atrocity
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2011-08-30 20:13
What do we have in the MSM on this .........................................................???
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2011-08-30 20:13
I think this tells us what most of us had concluded already. I do think the truth will out, probably after Mr Al Megrahi's death and I feel sure it will prove to be embarrassing to both the US and UK governments.
I may be wrong, but I thought that Mr Al Megrahi had instructed his lawyer here in Scotland to publish all the materials that he had for his appeal, after his death. Can anyone throw light on this?
I have been absolutely disgusted by the UK and US governments, along with the media's hounding of Al Megrahi right up what looks like his final days. Ian Gray has shown himself up for what he really is, during this past week or so also. I dont know how any of them can look at themselves in the mirror.
I may be wrong, but I thought that Mr Al Megrahi had instructed his lawyer here in Scotland to publish all the materials that he had for his appeal, after his death. Can anyone throw light on this?
I have been absolutely disgusted by the UK and US governments, along with the media's hounding of Al Megrahi right up what looks like his final days. Ian Gray has shown himself up for what he really is, during this past week or so also. I dont know how any of them can look at themselves in the mirror.
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2011-08-30 20:26
Expect this to be all over the BBC News. Ah hang on, not "all over" - the other thing. Ignored by.
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2011-08-30 20:55
I don't know how many nails are needed before the political coffin is finally buried and left to rot in the hell of its own making; but the whole sorry, pathetic and squalid Lockerbie affair has definately added one if not more to it.
I have nothing but contempt for any or all of the people involved who have either knowingly subscribed to a distortion of justice or have turned a blind eye and switched off their conscience for the sake of convenience or profit.
I have nothing but contempt for any or all of the people involved who have either knowingly subscribed to a distortion of justice or have turned a blind eye and switched off their conscience for the sake of convenience or profit.
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2011-08-30 21:04
Mmmmmm.....I'm a bit wary of documents found in "shattered remains" of offices etc. I was watching Orla Guerin (BBC) wandering about offices last night picking up and commenting on documents and I recall that vain man George Galloway being fitted up in the first few days of the Iraq war, hence my concern even if it does seem to be good news. So I think the key word above is "appears"
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2011-08-30 21:11
We've had two years of the msm/bbc digging up every concievable item to slaughter our Goverment and Al Megrahi with, and now they're going to behave, like the dogs they are, and start burying everything that turns up to prove how stupid, wrong, pathetic,biased and ignorant they really are.
There will be a queue from here to London of professionals, writers, lawyers and most of all - us. Who have stated from the very beginning, when we had our initial doubts, till now when it was blindingly obvious the man is innocent.
Does this mean I can apply for a job as a bbc journalist, politician, or Judge - I'm obviously cleverer than they all are.
There will be a queue from here to London of professionals, writers, lawyers and most of all - us. Who have stated from the very beginning, when we had our initial doubts, till now when it was blindingly obvious the man is innocent.
Does this mean I can apply for a job as a bbc journalist, politician, or Judge - I'm obviously cleverer than they all are.
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2011-08-30 21:56
Is there anyone knowledgeable enough about this case to write a blog article for me for my blog which has a modest but largely US following (about 1200 views a month)? The refusal of the US press to even admit that there are doubts about this man's guilt and the ghoulish cries for his death absolutely infuriate me as someone who DOES have serious doubts about his guilt.
The only hope for honest coverage is in he blogosphere. I don't do politics on my blog but this is a matter of justice not politics.
The only hope for honest coverage is in he blogosphere. I don't do politics on my blog but this is a matter of justice not politics.
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2011-08-30 23:28
JR,
I think you may find what you are looking for here:
www.youtube.com/.../
Al Jazeera documentary on the Lockerbie bombing.
I think you may find what you are looking for here:
www.youtube.com/.../
Al Jazeera documentary on the Lockerbie bombing.
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2011-08-30 23:41
A good source of info would be here, at the blog by Prof Rober Black, QC, professor emeritus at Edinburgh University;
lockerbiecase.blogspot.com/
You may also find the thoughts of the very learned Lallands peat worrier useful in this as well;
.../send-megrahi-back-to-chokey.html
lockerbiecase.blogspot.com/
You may also find the thoughts of the very learned Lallands peat worrier useful in this as well;
.../send-megrahi-back-to-chokey.html
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2011-08-31 00:38
That is copyrighted work which I would not think of stealing for my own blog. I was asking if anyone more expert in the history of the case would be interested in writing a guest article for me.
While I have followed the case fairly closely, I am not expert enough in the trial or the intricacies of Scottish law to feel comfortable doing it.
Besides, it is the business of the Scots and I would prefer a Scot spoke on the topic.
While I have followed the case fairly closely, I am not expert enough in the trial or the intricacies of Scottish law to feel comfortable doing it.
Besides, it is the business of the Scots and I would prefer a Scot spoke on the topic.
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2011-08-31 09:59
Quoting JRTomlin:
Why not e-mail the authors of the many published internet articles and simply ask for permission to use their work, it would save an awful lot of bother.
That is copyrighted work which I would not think of stealing for my own blog. I was asking if anyone more expert in the history of the case would be interested in writing a guest article for me.
While I have followed the case fairly closely, I am not expert enough in the trial or the intricacies of Scottish law to feel comfortable doing it.
Besides, it is the business of the Scots and I would prefer a Scot spoke on the topic.
Why not e-mail the authors of the many published internet articles and simply ask for permission to use their work, it would save an awful lot of bother.
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2011-08-31 17:35
Well, what I usually do is try to direct traffic to good articles with twitter. and some of my tweets on the topic have been re-tweeted. I also very frequently tweet links here.
Peter Curran, as Conan the Librarian pointed out to me, wrote a very good post on it over at his Moridura blog. I don't want to divert traffic away from their blogs but I would like to at least make a stab at educating my US audience, even though it is small, to the fact that it is not as simple a topic as the governments have tried to make out.
I am SO tired of the simplistic and, frankly, ghoulish coverage this has received in the US. Even the US news outlets that are of a somewhat higher standard than Fox News have done a truly miserable job. If you think you get frustrated with BBC...
Peter Curran, as Conan the Librarian pointed out to me, wrote a very good post on it over at his Moridura blog. I don't want to divert traffic away from their blogs but I would like to at least make a stab at educating my US audience, even though it is small, to the fact that it is not as simple a topic as the governments have tried to make out.
I am SO tired of the simplistic and, frankly, ghoulish coverage this has received in the US. Even the US news outlets that are of a somewhat higher standard than Fox News have done a truly miserable job. If you think you get frustrated with BBC...
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2011-08-30 21:57
I'll bet if a letter was found that suggested Magrahi was guilty it would be the lead story on every news report! the above letter has never had a mention on any of the mainstream news channels so far, now theres a surprise.
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2011-08-30 22:37
Indeed, a good veracity test is if its reported in the MSM, if it is, it's probably false.
We'll wait and see with this bit of news.
We'll wait and see with this bit of news.
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2011-08-30 22:42
Sorry to go off topic just just logged onto my home page msn and was confronted with this story, it might interest some of you.
The Barnett Formula: is Scotland getting too much money?
Scottish taxpayers receive £1,600 more in public spending than those in England - and it's all down to a 30-year rule concocted "almost on the back of an envelope".
money.uk.msn.com/.../...
The Barnett Formula: is Scotland getting too much money?
Scottish taxpayers receive £1,600 more in public spending than those in England - and it's all down to a 30-year rule concocted "almost on the back of an envelope".
money.uk.msn.com/.../...
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2011-08-30 23:04
This is win win for the US (and thus the UK).
How many years have we been waiting for the US to start a big fight with Iran?
Now that the focus of blame has shifted publicly, by whatever means, from Libya to Iran, you can bet your bottom dollar that there are those in power who will take advantage in this 'new' development.
I am choking, literally choking on the the irony.
This 'twist' is the perfect deflection for another murderous campaign to keep the rich the richest.
How many years have we been waiting for the US to start a big fight with Iran?
Now that the focus of blame has shifted publicly, by whatever means, from Libya to Iran, you can bet your bottom dollar that there are those in power who will take advantage in this 'new' development.
I am choking, literally choking on the the irony.
This 'twist' is the perfect deflection for another murderous campaign to keep the rich the richest.
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2011-08-31 01:34
Yup... the whole plan is to simply stay 1 step ahead of the sheeple... Its easier than most sheep think!
There are those who always planned to take advantage of these 'new' developments... wink wink (note: Gadafi would have never been overthrown without US pressure, a UN resolution, a few air strikes and a few select boots on the ground.)
Everything happens for a reason.... Nothing happens by chance!
There are those who always planned to take advantage of these 'new' developments... wink wink (note: Gadafi would have never been overthrown without US pressure, a UN resolution, a few air strikes and a few select boots on the ground.)
Everything happens for a reason.... Nothing happens by chance!
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2011-08-31 01:17
I don't agree Steve cosmic.
It will take years and years for the general media and US administrations , Republican Bush one or the Cameron and Obama one standing side by side to tell the Scottish Government that our law is wrong, and in fact......it wasn't Megrahi after all though we always said it was!
it was Iran!
Honest!
We have spoon fed you all bollocks for twenty years you see...........
Now............. let's have an Iranam, a new war front to contend with.
The people will not stand for it, they are learning, they have had it with bullshit, and if they are not learning then Iran replacing Mohamed Bassett al megrahi as the next cartoon enemy will not come without lots of questions about the twenty years preceding his cowboy court conviction and the US Senators, government whatever have backed him as a blofeld mastermind a least before their much courted Gadaffi went breasts afloat as the Libyan big chief.
It will take years and years for the general media and US administrations , Republican Bush one or the Cameron and Obama one standing side by side to tell the Scottish Government that our law is wrong, and in fact......it wasn't Megrahi after all though we always said it was!
it was Iran!
Honest!
We have spoon fed you all bollocks for twenty years you see...........
Now............. let's have an Iranam, a new war front to contend with.
The people will not stand for it, they are learning, they have had it with bullshit, and if they are not learning then Iran replacing Mohamed Bassett al megrahi as the next cartoon enemy will not come without lots of questions about the twenty years preceding his cowboy court conviction and the US Senators, government whatever have backed him as a blofeld mastermind a least before their much courted Gadaffi went breasts afloat as the Libyan big chief.
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2011-08-31 01:48
When 20,000 of us marched through the streets of Glasgow in 2003, we had' had enough of it.... didnt make much difference to the PTB though!!!
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2011-08-31 09:41
I smell an opportunity to deflect criticism and at least some fall-out here. Convenient documents, authentic or not, being found by the media in places where US and UK Special Forces have certainly been present is a little far fetched.
Any finger pointing and ridiculously dramatic rhetoric aimed at Iran will surely take a lot of the heat off those complicit in the cover up. By the time the SG get's around to changing the law and releasing the SCCRC report, the press will already be running with the headlines that new evidence proves the Iranians or Syrians did it ( actually, given the timing and the impending fall of el Assad, it'll probably be Syria that gets fingered, rightly or wrongly).
I smell a rat already...
Any finger pointing and ridiculously dramatic rhetoric aimed at Iran will surely take a lot of the heat off those complicit in the cover up. By the time the SG get's around to changing the law and releasing the SCCRC report, the press will already be running with the headlines that new evidence proves the Iranians or Syrians did it ( actually, given the timing and the impending fall of el Assad, it'll probably be Syria that gets fingered, rightly or wrongly).
I smell a rat already...
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2011-08-31 07:51
Lybia and Megraghi had absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with Lockerbie but everything to do with the cover-up!.
Similarly Iran had nothing to do with Lockerbie either despite where the focus may soon shift.
False trails, false evidence,patsy's and face saving, where have I heard that lot before, could it be Trams ?.
Similarly Iran had nothing to do with Lockerbie either despite where the focus may soon shift.
False trails, false evidence,patsy's and face saving, where have I heard that lot before, could it be Trams ?.
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2011-08-31 09:01
I had the misfortune of seeing the "Scottish" Daily Mail this morning. They are spinning this as "defiant" Megrahi still refusing to admit it. Oh, and they have a racially offensive anti-Scottish cartoon based on the whole English-tax-payers-pay-for-Jocks thing.
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2011-08-31 09:25
"In 2007, the commission delivered a summary version of the full Megrahi report, which runs to 800 pages and 13 volumes of appendices. It said that "based upon our lengthy investigations, the new evidence we have found and other evidence that was not before the trial court [in 2001] that the applicant [Megrahi] may have suffered a miscarriage of justice."
You will not read that in the Daily Mail, Scotsman, Telegraph ....
You will not read that in the Daily Mail, Scotsman, Telegraph ....
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2011-08-31 09:37
Mad Jock. I could have told them that in one paragraph !. 800 pages and 13 volumes smacks of a very long way to tell a very short story ?.
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2011-08-31 09:52
Senator Robert Menendez is calling for American officials to examine the health of the Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Al Megrahi.
bbc.co.uk/.../...
You just could not make it up, I think Menendez should also seek medical help.
I can see Menendez and the rest putting the boot into Scotland once Megrahi dies that Scotland failed to find out what happened.
bbc.co.uk/.../...
You just could not make it up, I think Menendez should also seek medical help.
I can see Menendez and the rest putting the boot into Scotland once Megrahi dies that Scotland failed to find out what happened.
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2011-08-31 10:00
Or even worse, US special forces visiting Megrahi in Libya and dragging the dying man (via a UK airport) to Guantanamo.
I wonder who stole his medication? Cancer drugs? hmmmm.....
The USA have 'form; when it comes to such wholly illegal behaviour in foreign countries.
Sadly, Senator Menendez typifies the lack of humanity that pervades American society, force fed right wing trash via propaganda outlets like Murdoch's FOX 'news'.
I wonder who stole his medication? Cancer drugs? hmmmm.....
The USA have 'form; when it comes to such wholly illegal behaviour in foreign countries.
Sadly, Senator Menendez typifies the lack of humanity that pervades American society, force fed right wing trash via propaganda outlets like Murdoch's FOX 'news'.
#
2011-08-31 10:07
Do you have questions about UK policy on Libya? William Hague wants your Tweets>
twitter.com/#!/WilliamJHague
twitter.com/#!/WilliamJHague
#
2011-08-31 21:24
I have still never figured out Twitter... you can never see the sequence of who posted to you or who you posted to... the thing is a flaming sham!
#
2011-08-31 10:25
The personal testimony of Mr Megrahi, as written in this letter, must also have been given on numerous occasions to the people whom he met during his days as a prisoner. He spoke to at least one priest and to his lawyers; he must have spoken to other people who are free to speak out; he must have written to others. I wonder if his personal correspondence is held on file and will be released eventually.
As usual, the MSM will not have taken steps to verify the authenticity of the letter, but I think there must be copies in the hands of others.
As usual, the MSM will not have taken steps to verify the authenticity of the letter, but I think there must be copies in the hands of others.
#
2011-08-31 12:31
Does this nutty senator Menendez really want to know the truth about Pan Am 103? i think he may have to eat his stetson when or if the real facts emerge.
#
2011-08-31 13:58
It is not only clear that the Libyans had nothing to do with the Lockerbie atrocity. It is also clear that this was a Gladio type operation. We should also mention the killing of policewoman Yvonne Fletcher. Detailed research by the journalist Joe Vialls shows that the bullet that killed Miss Fletcher must have been fired from the top floor of another building. The massive injuries that she suffered indicated a high powered assault rifle, unlike any of the weapons found at the embassy. A documentary on German television accused the Israelis of being behind the East Berlin disco bombing. We now know that the 7/7 bombers can't have got to London in time because their train was cancelled. The Americans brought Al-Qaeda from Iraq and Afghanistan to attack Libya. It seems that an awful lot of 'terrorism' is fishy.
#
2011-08-31 16:05
I think the wise old Tam Dalyell got it about right in 1997:
guardian.co.uk/.../lockerbie
So it seems they warned high ranking Americans and those of other friendly nations not to fly so that a bunch of happy US students going home for Christmas could be wasted.
As a high-ranking British officer said once to me when asked about 'Dirty Tricks' departments in British intelligence, 'Not only are there dirty tricks departments, there are also some very, very, very dirty tricks departments.' I guess the Americans will have much the same.
guardian.co.uk/.../lockerbie
So it seems they warned high ranking Americans and those of other friendly nations not to fly so that a bunch of happy US students going home for Christmas could be wasted.
As a high-ranking British officer said once to me when asked about 'Dirty Tricks' departments in British intelligence, 'Not only are there dirty tricks departments, there are also some very, very, very dirty tricks departments.' I guess the Americans will have much the same.
#
2011-08-31 16:30
Nautilus your link is not working, I think this is link you were talking about
guardian.co.uk/.../lockerbie
guardian.co.uk/.../lockerbie
#
2011-08-31 18:53
Wouldn't be the first time that an American sting operation has gone wrong. Nor the last...
bbc.co.uk/.../...
bbc.co.uk/.../...
#
2011-08-31 21:40
Al Jazeera are making claims that David Welch, former assistant secretary of state under George W Bush. Has been advising Gaddafhi on how to handle the US and NATO:
"The documents allege that Welch went on to propose the following solution to the crisis which he said many would support in the US administration: "[Gaddafi] should step aside" but "not necessarily relinquish all his powers".
This advice is a clear contradiction of public demands from the White House that Gaddafi must be removed.
According to the document, as the meeting closed, Welch promised: "To convey everything to the American administration, the congress and other influential figures."
Further:
"On the floor of the intelligence chief's office lay an envelope addressed to Gaddafi's son Saif Al-Islam. Inside, I found what appears to be a summary of a conversation between US congressman Denis Kucinich, who publicly opposed US policy on Libya, and an intermediary for the Libyan leader's son.
It details a request by the congressman for information he needed to lobby US lawmakers to suspend their support for the Libyan National Transitional Council (NTC) and to put an end to NATO airstrikes.
According to the document, Kucinich wanted evidence of corruption within the NTC and, like Welch, any possible links within rebel ranks to al-Qaeda."
english.aljazeera.net/.../...
"The documents allege that Welch went on to propose the following solution to the crisis which he said many would support in the US administration: "[Gaddafi] should step aside" but "not necessarily relinquish all his powers".
This advice is a clear contradiction of public demands from the White House that Gaddafi must be removed.
According to the document, as the meeting closed, Welch promised: "To convey everything to the American administration, the congress and other influential figures."
Further:
"On the floor of the intelligence chief's office lay an envelope addressed to Gaddafi's son Saif Al-Islam. Inside, I found what appears to be a summary of a conversation between US congressman Denis Kucinich, who publicly opposed US policy on Libya, and an intermediary for the Libyan leader's son.
It details a request by the congressman for information he needed to lobby US lawmakers to suspend their support for the Libyan National Transitional Council (NTC) and to put an end to NATO airstrikes.
According to the document, Kucinich wanted evidence of corruption within the NTC and, like Welch, any possible links within rebel ranks to al-Qaeda."
english.aljazeera.net/.../...
#
2011-09-01 00:21
No chance of that kind of news report on UK MSM, I wonder why. I see the well used by Lab/Con/Westminster tatic of saying one thing in public and another in private in use.
#
2011-09-01 13:38
The article also says that the reporter was looking for files entitled 'Lockerbie and IRA', but the office was a mess.
#
2011-09-02 19:38
Another interesting piece. Its amazing that conservatives can still just blithely rant about this guy being a 'mass murderer'.
Good piece on Bella re. the Al Jazeera docu on the case.
bellacaledonia.org.uk/.../...
Good piece on Bella re. the Al Jazeera docu on the case.
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