Quote Originally Posted by rory_20_uk View Post
Trading a dying security agent for a oil contract is sensible - in the cold war agents were swapped and I'm sure often they'd done events as bad or worse. The waters are further muddied as to whether he did in fact do it.

I hope that someone did a hard headed calculation about the risks vs benefits - pissing off America vs the oil contract.

Part of me somewhat agrees with trading a terminally sick prisoner for oil. But the better part of me is revolted by this whole episode. Pride's been exchanged for oil. I would again quote France's and especially Italy's opportunist dealings with Libya as some sort of consolation, but in fact the thought that everybody does it only makes it worse.

Bah.

Pissing off America is not important. Britain's pride is what matters here. You bend over forward and let the Gadaffi do his thing. Without lubricant.