Author: Reuters
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: September 5, 2009
British oil major BP Plc told the UK government
two years ago that slow progress in concluding a Prisoner Transfer agreement
with Libya threatened a multi-billion dollar exploration deal it was negotiating.
BP said on Friday its advice did not refer specifically to the man convicted
of the Lockerbie bombing, whose release from last month prompted criticism
of Britain.
The British government has denied it put pressure
on Scotland's devolved government over Megrahi in the terest of better ties
with Libya and its leader Muammar Gaddafi.
Megrahi's release angered the American government
and US relatives of the 270 people killed when Pan Am flight 103 blew up over
the Scottish town of Lockerbie.
"BP did bring to the attention of the
UK Government in late 2007 our concern about the slow progress in concluding
a Prisoner Transfer Agreement with Libya," the company said.
"We were aware that delay might have
negative consequences for UK commercial interests, including ratification
Of BP's exploration agreement," it added in a statement.
