Lockerbie Bomber's Release Stirs Scotland Boycott Movement
A website, BoycottScotland.com, has been set up, urging a cease of travel to Scotland and boycotting Scottish products. The threat posted on the website even extends to the United Kingdom: "Don't travel to Scotland or do business there (or in the United Kingdom in general) and don't buy any British or Scottish products."
Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi was convicted in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 on December 21, 1988, killing all 259 of the passengers and crew, and 11 people from Lockerbie, Scotland from falling wreckage. In 2001, al-Megrahi was handed a life sentence, but the Scotland government released him on "compassionate grounds," as he had terminal prostate cancer.
Upon his return to his Libyan homeland, al-Megrahi received a hero's welcome. U.S. President Barack Obama called the warm reception "highly objectionable."
Although the BoycottScotland.com website suggests users to visit website listings of Scottish companies to boycott, it's main target is British Petroleum (BP) because, as the Times Online reports, it might be a trade-off so BP would be free to tap into Libyan oil. The sign of good faith would remove customs restrictions on BP.
The boycott addresses the BP-Libya ties: "From the very beginning we have advocated the boycott of British Petroleum and other major British companies that have been lobbying for closer trade relations with Libya. As the news continues to unfold, more and more evidence is mounting regarding BP's role in this affair, as well as that of other major British industries seeking a foothold in the increasingly lucrative Libyan market. It has now become clear that the release of al-Megrahi was a concession made towards this end."
The U.S.-led boycott movement plans to hurt Scotland most through a cease in tourism. The Scotsman reports that "Americans are the biggest contributors to Scotland's £980 million overseas tourism market, accounting for 14 per cent of foreign visitors."
The tourism website, VisitScotland.com, received an inbox full of angry and impassioned emails from all around the world based on the government's decision to release al-Megrahi, as urged by BoycottScotland.com. The boycott website also published the private email address of Kenny MacAskill, the Cabinet Secretary who released al-Megrahi.
Although the release of al-Megrahi does seem like some political hanky panky with British Petroleum and the Scottish government, it seems like a tourism boycott would be afflicting innocent Scots who had no say in the questionable decision to send al-Megrahi off to his Libyan freedom. Even a boycott of gas giant BP will fizzle out after a few months; with gasoline, demand outweighs supply.
Bloomberg, "U.S. Tourists Threaten Scotland Boycott Over Libyan's Release"
The Times Online, "Al-Megrahi's release 'would free BP' to join the rush for Libya's oil"
The Scotsman, "'Boycott Scotland' bid to brand nation a global pariah"
Published by Bob Dobalina
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7 Comments
Post a CommentDo not boycott Scotland. As mentioned below that would only hurt the little guy and not the actual criminals who perpetuated this. The Boycott will be against BP and all it's companies. I'm starting today. ...and Dave, chill out!
simple two can play that game boycott america its foods drinks and products and use good old british chipeys and boycott mc donnels and KFC it them were it hurts who do these yanks think they are.Its time to stand up to this falling down race of war crazy gun hoe nutters
Scottish salmon fishcakes, Scots Porridge, Arbroath Smokie, Otacakes and cheese, Forfar Bridies, Haggis and Neeps, and Scotch Whisky. Gentlemen, it appears joegodam has unknowingly boycotted Scottish products all his life. He still thinks Trainspotting is a bitchen movie though.
Socttish products are what will hurt the Scotland the most. This can be a devistating impact to Scotland. Soctch export to US are huge. Forward Texts and emails to everyone you know to stop buying their wiskey. Next time they think of releasing terrorist... they will understand the impact on their economy. I'm talking of a permanent baocott.
Such hysteria from a country that says they are against terrorism when they supportd the IRA nuff said
typical, short sighted backlash by a nation hell bent on revenge at anyone's cost. To pursue this will only hurt the little man and not the people who made the decision. This happened on my doorstep and took scottish lives.How dare they think they can preach and govern the world. I would trace the hypocrite who came up with this idea and have him in an international court charged with citing terrorism.
The uk didn't boycott American products when many Americans supported IRA terrorism.
Double standards !!!
All this is going to do is affect people's jobs many of whom don't support this stance taken by the Scottish government.