BP In Libya

by Dick Mac

It is the job of a corporation to increase the profits of the companies under its control and, if it is part of their corporate structure, to provide maximum dividends to their shareholders.

In BP's efforts to increase profits, they want to start drilling off the shores of Libya, in the Mediterranean Sea. Their challenge, of course, would be to convince that nation to do business with them. Gaining the favor of a foreign country is never easy, and can often be expensive.

Libya, in particular, is a difficult place for any Western company to do business because their leader, Muammar al-Gaddafi, is neither a fan of the West, and the feeling is mutual.

How to get such a man to cooperate? Ask him what he wants, of course!

It is now alleged that what he wanted from BP was the British prisoner Abdel Baset al-Megrahi. As soon as Megrahi was freed by the British, Libya would talk to BP about drilling contracts.

Megrahi was released and arrived in Tripoli to throngs of cheering supporters.

Why is this guy so popular in Libya? Who is this guy?

Megrahi is the only person convicted in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland.

In 1988, the bombing of the flight that carried mostly American travellers shocked the United States.

This week, British Prime Minister David Cameron is enjoying his first to Washington, and the senators from New York and New Jersey want the prime minister to investigate BP's role in influencing the release of a bomber who took so many American lives.

Of course, there is no proof of any of this yet. So stay tuned!

Area Senators Urge Investigation into Release of Lockerbie Bomber