Libya's Welcome Also Draws Condemnation

The Allied Pilots Association (APA) issued the following statement regarding the Scottish government’s decision to release convicted terrorist Abdel Baset al-Megrahi from prison.

“On behalf of the pilots we represent and the passengers we are charged with protecting, we oppose in the strongest possible terms the release of convicted terrorist Abdel Baset al-Megrahi from prison,” said APA President Captain Lloyd Hill. “Has anyone forgotten that this individual was found guilty of playing a hands-on role in the murders of 270 innocent people? APA is baffled and disgusted that any civilized country would grant a convicted mass murderer his freedom, much less give him a hero’s welcome. As evidenced just a few scant years ago on Sept. 11, 2001 — a day when 33 American Airlines and United Airlines crewmembers were brutally murdered, along with thousands of other innocent people—terrorism remains the scourge of civilized society. Granting a mass murderer such as Abdel Baset al-Megrahi his freedom sends the exact wrong message to all other would-be terrorists.”

Abdel Baset al-Megrahi was previously sentenced to life in prison by a Scottish court for his involvement in the downing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland on Dec. 21, 1988. He had served eight years before being released on “compassionate grounds” due to a diagnosis of terminal cancer. APA is the certified collective bargaining agent for the 11,500 pilots of American Airlines.

FMI: www.alliedpilots.org