Letter to the President on Libya

A letter to President Barack Obama July 14, 2010.

President Barack Obama

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW

Washington, D.C.

Dear Mr. President:

Earlier today, Libyan leader Muammar el-Qaddafi stood before the United Nations General Assembly and called the U.N. Security Council a "Terror Council." Qaddafi went on to suggest the State of Israel was behind the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and that the H1N1 flu might be a military or corporate weapon.
Last month, when Scotland freed Abel Baset Megrahi, the only man convicted in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, Qaddafi greeted him with a hero's welcome. As you know, Megrahi was accompanied back to Libya by Qaddafi's son, Saif, who was involved in the negotiations for Megrahi's release.

At the time, you expressed your disappointment over Megrahi's release and called it a mistake. Attorney General Holder said, "There is simply no justification for releasing this convicted terrorist whose actions took the lives of 270 individuals, including 189 Americans."

That is why, as a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State-Foreign Operations, I was disturbed by a congressional notification dated September 15, 2009 (enclosed), informing our Committee of the State Department's intent to provide $200,000 to Saif Qaddafi's foundation and another $200,000 to an organization run by Muammar Qaddafi's daughter, Aisha.
Just weeks after the Qaddafi family celebrated the return of a terrorist responsible for the murders of 189 Americans, the U.S. taxpayer should not be asked to reward them with $400,000. For the sake of the victims' families who have endured so much pain these last few weeks, I ask you to withdraw your Administration's request.

Sincerely,
Mark Steven Kirk
Member of Congress

Interesting to see the reply.