The Obama administration is facing unexpected scrutiny over Scotland's release of Lockerbie bomber Abdel Baset al-Megrahi, following reports that the U.S. told Scottish ministers it would be "far preferable" to free the cancer-stricken terrorist than transfer him to a prison in Libya. President Obama said the U.S. was "surprised, disappointed, and angry" when it learned of Megrahi's release — but the leaked document indicated that Richard LeBaron, deputy head of the American embassy in London, had passed on the American reaction a week prior. Did the adminstration pave the way for Scotland to set a convicted terrorist free? (Watch an AP report about the Lockerbie bomber release)
It certainly looks like the White House helped spring Megrahi: LeBaron is "low enough on the totem pole" to let the administration shield Obama from responsibility, says Shannon Bell in Right Pundits, but that might not be enough to stop families of the Lockerbie bomber victims from demanding an explanation. The Obama administration has been pointing fingers at BP, which is preparing to drill in Libya, but it looks like Obama’s White House did as much or more than BP to win the bomber's "compassionate release."
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