The death of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi yesterday closes a chapter in terrorist attacks but for many it leaves unanswered questions. UK PM Cameron commenting on the news said our thoughts should be with the 270 fatalities of the Lockerbie plane bomb. PanAm flight 103 was on its way from London to New York in December1988 when a bomb exploded. It killed all 243 passengers and 16 crew members plus 11 members of the public when the debris fell to earth in the Scottish village of Lockerbie.
The majority of those killed on the plane were Americans. Abdelbaset al-Megrahi was alleged to be responsible for this act of terrorism and sentenced to a life sentence in a Scottish jail. Megrahi was released from jail in 2009 on compassionate grounds. He was suffering prostate cancer and his death was supposedly imminent. The loved ones of the victims of the bomb wanted him to "rot in hell" and mainly felt he should die in jail.
This early release caused a furore then and still does. His death May 2012 makes many believe that he was not released as death was imminent but rather for political ends. These are thought to be trade with Libya and or political relationships. At least one doctor in the UK has, since Megrahi's death, said that his extended length of life was in part due to the treatment he received once back home, which he would not have received in the UK.
A UK relative of one Lockerbie bomb victim has questioned the guilt of Megrahi. In America it is widely felt that he was guilty but that he did not act alone. People over there would like to see others brought to justice.The death of Megrahi has understandably reopened old wounds and brought many people to the fore. One speaking on UK TV Sunday May 20, 2012, raised a subject that the Americans would rather forget. This is the shooting down of Iran Air Flight 655.
Flight 655 was a civilian flight. It was shot down by US Forces in July 1988. It was the end of the Iran Iraq war and the plane was flying over the Strait of Hormuz. It was in Iranian air space and not infringing any territorial claims. All of the civilians on board this plane were killed. 290 in total were on-board, including 66 children and 16 crew.
Responsible for this plane destruction and the 290 deaths was United States Navy guided missile cruiser USS Vincennes (CG-49) and its command. Those killed were from various countries including Iran, United Arab Emirates, India, Pakistan, Yugoslavia and Italy.
For some this terrible tragedy is in part responsible for the Locerbie tragedy. Look online and you will find plenty of information regarding this plane's demise and the compensation that eventually the US paid out, obviously accepting liability.
What the man interviewed on UK TV was talking about though was how the US has never apologised for its actions. How the US cannot see that their actions in July 1988 could have led to the Lockerbie tragedy in December 1988. Tit for tat reprisals are nothing new. In some ways the recent war in Iraq and ongoing war in Afghanistan were just that, in response to 9/11.
So many times writing articles regarding such issues involving the US this blogger brings to mind "As you sow so shall you reap" With so much of the US supposedly God fearing individuals it puzzles how they can not see this too.
RIP, All
The majority of those killed on the plane were Americans. Abdelbaset al-Megrahi was alleged to be responsible for this act of terrorism and sentenced to a life sentence in a Scottish jail. Megrahi was released from jail in 2009 on compassionate grounds. He was suffering prostate cancer and his death was supposedly imminent. The loved ones of the victims of the bomb wanted him to "rot in hell" and mainly felt he should die in jail.
This early release caused a furore then and still does. His death May 2012 makes many believe that he was not released as death was imminent but rather for political ends. These are thought to be trade with Libya and or political relationships. At least one doctor in the UK has, since Megrahi's death, said that his extended length of life was in part due to the treatment he received once back home, which he would not have received in the UK.
A UK relative of one Lockerbie bomb victim has questioned the guilt of Megrahi. In America it is widely felt that he was guilty but that he did not act alone. People over there would like to see others brought to justice.The death of Megrahi has understandably reopened old wounds and brought many people to the fore. One speaking on UK TV Sunday May 20, 2012, raised a subject that the Americans would rather forget. This is the shooting down of Iran Air Flight 655.
Flight 655 was a civilian flight. It was shot down by US Forces in July 1988. It was the end of the Iran Iraq war and the plane was flying over the Strait of Hormuz. It was in Iranian air space and not infringing any territorial claims. All of the civilians on board this plane were killed. 290 in total were on-board, including 66 children and 16 crew.
Responsible for this plane destruction and the 290 deaths was United States Navy guided missile cruiser USS Vincennes (CG-49) and its command. Those killed were from various countries including Iran, United Arab Emirates, India, Pakistan, Yugoslavia and Italy.
For some this terrible tragedy is in part responsible for the Locerbie tragedy. Look online and you will find plenty of information regarding this plane's demise and the compensation that eventually the US paid out, obviously accepting liability.
What the man interviewed on UK TV was talking about though was how the US has never apologised for its actions. How the US cannot see that their actions in July 1988 could have led to the Lockerbie tragedy in December 1988. Tit for tat reprisals are nothing new. In some ways the recent war in Iraq and ongoing war in Afghanistan were just that, in response to 9/11.
So many times writing articles regarding such issues involving the US this blogger brings to mind "As you sow so shall you reap" With so much of the US supposedly God fearing individuals it puzzles how they can not see this too.
RIP, All
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