CNN "American Morning" - Transcript

Interview

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GRIFFIN: Al-Megrahi was released and returned to Libya last August in part, because doctors said he had three months to live. The diagnosis itself coming under question, of course, Megrahi is still alive. Joining us now, live, New York senior Senator Chuck Schumer, one of the lawmakers calling for an investigation.

Senator thanks for joining us. SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER (D) NEW YORK: Good morning.

GRIFFIN: A $900-million deal, the timing is very suspicious. And BP says that they did at least talk to the British government about Megrahi. Do you have more proof than that, or is that what you are after to try to find out if, indeed, there was a quid pro quo here?

SCHUMER: Well, obviously the-as the lawyers would say, the circumstantial evidence is overwhelming. A, BP asked the British government to put al-Megrahi on a prisoner transfer list as early as 2007, while they were negotiating with Libya. B, he is put on this list and the doctor claims that he only has three months to live and it meets Scottish laws, humanitarian parole.

Now the doctor comes out and says well, he really has 10 years to live. He's fit as a fiddle. And BP, of course, got the contract shortly after his release. I think that's a pretty good case even in a criminal trial where it would have to be beyond a reasonable doubt.

So, we are--Senators Lautenberg, Menendez and Gillibrand, and myself, are basically saying to our government to demand the British ask for the return of al-Megrahi and put him back in jail. My view was he shouldn't have been released even if he had three months to live. The many parents, and husbands, and wives, who lost loved ones didn't get three months with their loved ones after his dastardly deed which lives with them as if it were yesterday.

CHETRY: Right, and I mean, there a lot of people would agree with you on that, but whether or not they're be able to prove this case remains to be seen and especially the doctor angle.

I want to ask you about this Libyan government claiming that they found this doctor for hire in a way. Many are claiming that right now. But England's U.S. ambassador is not saying that's the case at all and in fact, his prognosis was actually agreed upon by a group of doctors, not including the one who is in question. So is this going to be a difficult avenue to pursue?

SCHUMER: Well, then if the British have other evidence, they should bring it forward. We asked them last week to open up their own investigation and they said no. What are they afraid of if they think it stands on all fours.

But the evidence is awfully suspicious. This does not have anything to do with BP being in the news now. When he was released, I suggested that the oil contract might have been the reason and the evidence seems to be piling up in that direction.

GRIFFIN: Yes. I want to read a little bit of what BP has said because they have released a statement about this. Saying they raised concerns with the British government over delays, but they did not express -- over delays in the oil deal.

But did not express a view about the specific form of the agreement, which was a matter for the U.K. and Libyan governments or make representations over the Ali Al Megrahi case, which was solely a matter for the Scottish executive and not for the U.K. government.

But clearly, Senator, if you read between the lines the fact they said anything about this prisoner holding up a deal with oil seem to indicate there was some sort of involvement here or at least a little bit of influence.

SCHUMER: It would strain credibility that all of this was mere incidence and remember, Libya had been dangling this oil deal in front of Britain for years. All of a sudden it is signed a few months after he is released.

And Libya had demanded he be released, too so it all seems to add up. The British government is stonewalling. What looks suspicious when he was released is now looking more than suspicious, there's just -- as I say, piece of evidence after piece of evidence. I would like to be the prosecutor in this case, if it were a trial.

CHETRY: Senator Schumer, the bottom line, even if BP did lobby for this - they're transparent about the fact that they were trying to at least, you know, they were concerned about the British government delays and prisoner releases as it related to Libya. What can the U.S. do about it at this point? Now that he is out and now that he's there?

SCHUMER: Well, look, we believe, you know -- correctly, we have waged and led the world in a war on terror. When terrorists are released for mercenary reasons it says to future terrorists hey, if I go do a dastardly deed, this one over 250 people, 189 Americans were killed, some of them students from Syracuse University.

I happen to know one of the families who lost a son from Brooklyn, it sends a message. You know, hey, you will be taken care of down the road. Our government now has an obligation to pressure the Brits to demand his release and pressure the Brits to have a full- fledged investigation here.

This is just -- it is despicable and outrageous. Just think anyone watching this show wherever in the world they may be, think of them sitting on the couch across from one of the mothers, son or daughter of their life, age of 22, a whole lot of college students on the plane, just taken because of the despicable act of this man and now he's treated as a hero in Libya. It turns your stomach.

GRIFFIN: All right, Senator Chuck Schumer.

SCHUMER: We should do something about.

GRIFFIN: Well, we'll follow your actions. We'll see if you come up with something, a solution here. Senator Chuck Schumer.

SCHUMER: We are trying.

GRIFFIN: The release of Al Megrahi, the terrorist suspect, actually convicted terrorist in the Lockerbie, Scotland incident. Thank you, Senator.

SCHUMER: Thank you.

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