Comments on: Freeing of Lockerbie bomber to hero’s welcome in Libya highlights Europe’s ignorance of Middle Eastern realities

By: riverScrap

riverScrap — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 22:26:59 +0000

I like the fact that you mentioned the “post-colonial agenda” and also made a point of using the phrase “dark-skinned”. Uttering the latter seems to be inexplicably taboo in modern European cultures, while the former is equally inexplicably hailed as justification for almost any excess.

I think too often Brits and perhaps other Europeans mistake gratuitous self-flagellation for progressiveness. It’s a shame because - while you blame this on cowardice - I’d say it’s often just down to overzealous empathy / guilt.

By: Israelinurse

Israelinurse — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 11:25:37 +0000

My son was one of the soldiers who risked their lives to capture Marwan Barghouti and bring him to justice. He did so for the sake of the families of Barghouti’s many victims whose only comfort was seeing the murderer of their loved ones being brought to fair trial. Western hypocracy and double standards are becoming increasingly dangerous. I totally agree with Robin’s analysis of the causes.
Robin- when is your book coming out and by which publisher? It sounds fascinating.

Robin Shepherd says: The book is formally published on September 10 by Weidenfeld & Nicolson. Thank you for your interest, and for sharing your experiences. FYI, the link about it on amazon is as follows:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/State-Beyond-Pale-Europes-Problem/dp/0297856642/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251031067&sr=1-1

By: Anne Klausner

Anne Klausner — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 21:08:26 +0000

An excellent article and well-written analysis. I would add that whilst England and America are fuming at Megrahi’s release, they are all busy encouraging Israel to release Marwan Barghouti, jailed on a sentence of 5 life-terms for 5 despicable murders (amongst the hundreds he planned or perpetrated). As Mr. Shepherd and other commenters here have pointed out, what is sauce for the goose (the rest of the western world) is never sauce for the gander (Israel).

By: Iain

Iain — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 08:40:17 +0000

I agree with all but one of the points you make in this article.

I suspect that in this case in particular the authorities made a deal to stop the appeal from going ahead. As mentioned in the comments by Tom there were simply too many suspicious circumstances surrounding the conviction. The origional leads in this case pointed in different directions and indicated very different suspects.

Your premise that Megrahi’s release was based on the belief that he was guilty may be flawed. I would have liked to see his appeal go ahead as his soliciters origionaly said it would. Some of the origional investigation findings and the reasons for the conclusions that were made should be made available for public scrutiny.

As for Gil’s comment, Samir Kuntar’s release and subsequent welcome barely made news anywhere except the arab states( all praise the returning hero) and Israel. Another disgraceful episode of anti-Israel bigotry in the MSM

By: Gil A.

Gil A. — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 06:24:54 +0000

You think this story is bad-remember the release of Samir Kuntar to the Lebanese by Israel? For anyone who forgot, let me reiterate: Samir Kuntar is a Lebanese man, who along with a few other armed Palestinians, entered Israel, shot dead a border security guard and wounded another, then entered a civilian household with explosives, causing the mother to accidentally smother her infant while hiding, then dragged out the father and a young daughter (I believe 4 or 5) shot the father point blank in front of the daughter, then proceeded to smash the young girl’s skull in with the butt of his rifle. He was the longest serving prisoner in Israel (around 30 some odd years). After the devastating war Hezbollah brought on Israel and Lebanon, he was traded, along with some other prisoners and loads of Hezbollah fighters’ bodies, in exchange for the three bodies of Israeli soldiers (whose families did not even know if they were alive or dead up to that point). This man, Samir Kuntar, received a hero’s welcome upon coming back to Lebanon, complete with celebrations, festivities, and foreign dignitaries’ (i.e. Iran, Syria) congratulations. Comment: If an American or an Israeli ever went into a foreign country and brutally and intentionally murdered a 4 year old girl, we would never want back that sick of a monster…

By: David S. UK

David S. UK — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 18:29:48 +0000

Very important piece. The naivety or self-imposed ignorance of the diplomatic classes is unbelievable. I saw David Miliband saying how upsetting it was to see this terrorist getting a hero’s welcome. Excuse me, Mr. Miliband. You mean you couldn’t foresee this? Obviously not the brightest star in the sky…

By: Tom

Tom — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:43:53 +0000

Whilst I am highly sympathetic to most of the points above - I have deep misgivings about basing it around al-Megrahi’s conviction and release.

No jury, and held in another country, much “evidence” comically weak and withdrawn… behind the scenes horse trading - it goes on and on….

You do your own arguments a deep disservice by pivoting on this issue.

Robin Shepherd says: Thanks for your comments. But, as I say in the piece, the question of whether al-Megrahi’s conviction was safe or not is irrelevant. I have no idea and neither do you. The point is that he was released on compassionate grounds on the assumption that he was in fact guilty. The British authorities then completely dropped the ball in allowing Libya to turn it into a public relations coup. That is the central point at issue.

By: Martin Adamson

Martin Adamson — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:39:53 +0000

There was another Libyan story yesterday which I don’t think has received any attention in the English language press which gives an insight into the nature of the regime and which reinforces your point. In July 2008 Khadafi’s son Hannibal Khadafi and his wife, were arrested in Geneva for assaulting two hotel staff.

http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=803790

As a result, Libya broke off diplomatic relations with Switzerland, imposed an oil embargo, cut off trade links and took two Swiss citizens hostage.

In return for a promise to get them released, the Swiss President had to go to Libya yesterday bend the knee and tender his apologies.

http://www.tdg.ch/actu/suisse/otages-reviendront-semaine-prochaine-declare-hans-rudolf-merz-2009-08-21

By: Mailman

Mailman — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:14:56 +0000

You know what…perhaps reality is stranger than fiction here.

These arab countries rely on oil for everything so do you really believe they would be prepared to cut off their only source of income because Europe has criticised them?

Countries like Iran depend so much on oil that they cant risk affecting pretty much their sole source of foreign currency.

To me, the argument about not upsetting their oil supplies sounds more like the kind of argument a coward would make so as to justify their non-action.

Mailman

By: Peter Davenport

Peter Davenport — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 11:17:05 +0000

Another superb blog Robin. The authorities talk of “compassion” when the judgement is clearly and very heartlessly lacking in compassion for the relatives of the dead victims. Similar to the offering of great compassion for the “hopeless” suicide bombers in Israel, when little such compassion is offered to those who have their legs blown off for sitting in a cafe. A classic symptom of the Western liberal-left establishment - a self-image of compassion, and a reality of wilful ignorance and heartlessness, borne out of deep-seated prejudice.