Original subtitles

The following programme contains scenes

which some viewers may find distressing.

Go and have the time of your life.

WILL: A newsflash.

WILL: A newsflash.

Plane's gone down.

Murray Guthrie. Jim Swire.

Full disclosure, I'm a journalist.

They say in the press it may have been Iran, revenge attack.

They say in the press it may have been Iran, revenge attack.

Anonymous phone call made to the US Embassy.

Embassy dismissed it as a hoax.

Your government knew. They all knew.

JANE: I have nightmares.

JANE: I have nightmares.

Was our daughter conscious as she fell through the sky?

How did a bomb get through airport security and onto Flight 103?

How did a bomb get through airport security and onto Flight 103?

Why is there so much secrecy around this?

Are we ever going to know what really happened?

I will never stop. Not until we know the answer to everything.

I will never stop. Not until we know the answer to everything.

JIM: (ON VOICEMAIL) You've reached the Swire household.

We're not home to take your call at the moment.

We're not home to take your call at the moment.

Please leave a message after the beep and we'll get back to you. (BEEP)

Oh, hi, Jim. Murray here.

I hope you're sitting down,

I hope you're sitting down,

because I've just heard Thatcher's ordered an independent inquiry...

..into the Strangeways Prison riot.

..into the Strangeways Prison riot.

Sum total of deaths, two.

So we now have inquiries into

the Clapham Junction crash, 35 deaths,

the Clapham Junction crash, 35 deaths,

the King's Cross fire, 31 deaths,

and the Piper Alpha disaster, 167 deaths.

But bugger all for Lockerbie.

But bugger all for Lockerbie.

Bugger all for 270 dead.

I mean... (CHUCKLES INCREDULOUSLY)

..what is it with these people?

..what is it with these people?

What the hell do you have to do to make them sit up and take notice?

Actually get off their arses and do something?

What is it they're hiding?

(OMINOUS MUSIC)

(INDISTINCT ANNOUNCEMENTS OVER PA)

What's going on?

Security spot checks on luggage.

Am I OK to look inside? Yes.

Am I OK to look inside? Yes.

Where are you flying to, sir?

Boston, via JFK.

Have you taken the batteries out, sir?

We have new safety rules.

We have new safety rules.

Yes. Yeah, I have. Mm-hmm.

Thank you.

Have a safe flight.

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

Sorry. Sorry, the traffic. Hello, darling.

Don't worry. How are you? Good. How are you?

(CHUCKLES) Good.

(CHUCKLES) Good.

Oh, it was a gift.

Oh, it was a gift.

Flora's boyfriend's father painted it and sent it over for us.

He's really caught her, don't you think?

He's really caught her, don't you think?

You don't think there's enough reminders?

It's not Flora.

Dad made it to the airport alright?

Dad made it to the airport alright?

Oh- Oh, yeah.

Did you get any sleep last night?

(SNIFFLES) Hey, hey. Hey, hey, hey.

(SNIFFLES) Hey, hey. Hey, hey, hey.

Sit down and put your feet up.

I'll take those bags upstairs, then I'll make us some tea.

OK?

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

(HIGH-PITCHED RINGING)

(HIGH-PITCHED RINGING)

(EXPLOSION) (ALL SCREAMING)

(WIND RUSHING)

(SCREAMS, PANTS)

You OK?

Mum, please. Will you go and speak to someone?

It's OK. I'm fine.

It's OK. I'm fine.

I'm fine, Cathy. I'm fine.

It's fine.

(BREATHES HEAVILY)

(BREATHES HEAVILY)

(INDISTINCT ANNOUNCEMENTS OVER PA)

(INDISTINCT ANNOUNCEMENTS OVER PA)

(INDISTINCT ANNOUNCEMENTS CONTINUE)

(DOG SNIFFS)

(DOG SNIFFS)

Hello, Jim.

It's good to see you.

Everyone's excited to finally meet you in person.

Everyone's excited to finally meet you in person.

My very own homemade version...

..of the bomb

which blew up Flight 103.

You brought that with you on a plane?

Is that Semtex?

A very pliable, odourless plastic explosive

favoured by paramilitary groups and terrorists.

I used marzipan.

Jim, I'm sorry. Are you out of your mind?

Jim, I'm sorry. Are you out of your mind?

How many times have we been told airport security has improved,

that a bomb would never get onto a plane nowadays?Yeah, sure.

But is this the way to call them out?

A security officer at Heathrow picked it up, looked at it,

A security officer at Heathrow picked it up, looked at it,

and wished me a safe onward journey. I got through three sets

of security checks to get here via JFK. I wasn't stopped once.

of security checks to get here via JFK. I wasn't stopped once.

Now, I'm sorry if this upsets some of you.

I wanted it to be impossible for me to do this, believe me.

I wanted it to be impossible for me to do this, believe me.

The fact is, it wasn't.

And people need to know.

And people need to know.

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

(ALL CLAMOURING)

(ALL CLAMOURING)

REPORTER: Did you know about the fake bomb?

Do you agree with what your father's done?

Incredible, audacious,

an act of gross stupidity.

Just some of the reactions to Dr Jim Swire,

spokesman for UK Families Flight 103.

spokesman for UK Families Flight 103.

Why? Because he built a fake bomb in his home

and carried it in a suitcase- Did you know about this?

and carried it in a suitcase- Did you know about this?

..on a flight from London to New York.No.

The same route on which his daughter, Flora, was killed.

If I was a terrorist, another plane would have been blown out of the sky.

If I was a terrorist, another plane would have been blown out of the sky.

Hundreds more innocent people would have been murdered.

NEWSCASTER: 24 hours since touching down in the US, Dr Swire has-

The Midlands doctor, whose daughter died in the Lockerbie plane bomb-

The Midlands doctor, whose daughter died in the Lockerbie plane bomb-

I cannot stress strongly enough this government's determination

to enforce the highest standards of aviation security.

to enforce the highest standards of aviation security.

And we will be speaking to Dr Swire on his return to the UK.

(INDISTINCT ANNOUNCEMENTS OVER PA)

(INDISTINCT ANNOUNCEMENTS OVER PA)

(INAUDIBLE)

(INAUDIBLE)

Finally.

Questioned. Given a verbal warning.

"Bad boy, don't do it again."

(SIGHS)

I'm sorry.

What hurts the most is being kept in the dark.

What hurts the most is being kept in the dark.

I didn't want to get you involved.

(SIGHS)

There were press people outside, Jim, dozens of them.

There were press people outside, Jim, dozens of them.

We hadn't a clue what was going on.

And what if you had been arrested,

here or in America? Wh-Wh-What would I have done?

here or in America? Wh-Wh-What would I have done?

And the kids.

Did you think about any of us?

Did Murray put you up to this? No.

No, all my own doing.

Is that why you've been shut up in your study all this time?

You've barely spoken a word to us.

Spineless government hiding behind secrets,

Spineless government hiding behind secrets,

criminal investigation taking forever.

I just wanted to make some noise.

Do something. You are doing something.

Do something. You are doing something.

You're constantly giving interviews, writing letters.

Howling at the moon. No. No, Jim. That's not true.

This will cause consternation and tutting for a few days,

This will cause consternation and tutting for a few days,

then it will all go quiet again.

I should have told you. It was wrong of me.

It's all for her.

It's all for her.

You haven't stopped since she died.

What else can I do?

For now...

..take a step back.

..take a step back.

You have me...

you have two other children.

Be with us.

(GENTLE VIOLIN MUSIC)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(SOMBRE VIOLIN MUSIC)

Good to be back.

(CHUCKLES)

(JIM CLEARS THROAT)

(JIM CLEARS THROAT)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER AND LAUGHTER)

Here it goes.

Thanks, darling. You're going down.

Thanks, darling. You're going down.

Ready? Steady.Go!

What? No! (LAUGHTER)

(INDISTINCT SHOUTS)

No, no! No, no!

Get behind me.

Get behind me.

(LAUGHTER)

(CAMERA REEL WHIRRING)

(MELANCHOLIC PIANO MUSIC)

(PIANO MUSIC CONTINUES)

(MUSIC FADES)

(MUSIC FADES)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Thanks, Dad.

Thanks, Dad.

(DISTANT PATRONS APPLAUDING)

(INAUDIBLE TV CHATTER)

NEWSCASTER: Now, three years later,

two suspects have finally been identified.

Their names announced earlier today

Their names announced earlier today

by Scotland's Lord Advocate, Peter Fraser.

FRASER: And yesterday, Mr McDougall obtained

from him the grant of warrants

from him the grant of warrants

for the arrest of two Libyan nationals...

Libya? I thought Iran did it? ..on charges of conspiracy,

Libya? I thought Iran did it? ..on charges of conspiracy,

murder and contravention

of the Aviation Security Act of 1982.

The two accused are...

Abdelbaset Ali Mohamed al-Megrahi...

and Al Amin Khalifa Fhimah.

Both accused are believed- They did it...to be in Libya.

Both accused are believed- They did it...to be in Libya.

The warrants will be circulated to Interpol...They got them.

...but it is considered unlikely that they will be arrested.

...but it is considered unlikely that they will be arrested.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

(HORN HONKING)

(TIRES SCREECHING)

(DOG BARKING)

(LOCK CLICKS)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(INDISTINCT TV CHATTER)

(INDISTINCT TV CHATTER)

(DISHES CLATTERING)

(SPEAKING ARABIC)

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

(SOFT MUSIC)

(MUSIC INTENSIFIES)

(MUSIC INTENSIFIES)

So I've gone through the indictment and set it out in layman's terms,

together with some of the other information that we have.

together with some of the other information that we have.

As we know, the bomb...

..hand-built presumably,

was hidden inside a Toshiba BomBeat radio-cassette recorder

was hidden inside a Toshiba BomBeat radio-cassette recorder

and placed amongst articles of clothing...

..inside a brown Samsonite suitcase.

..inside a brown Samsonite suitcase.

Now, we know this because blast-charred fragments

of clothing and suitcase were found by search teams in Lockerbie

of clothing and suitcase were found by search teams in Lockerbie

and forensically examined

by the Royal Armament Research and Development Establishment.

Now at the same time, a baggage record from Frankfurt

Now at the same time, a baggage record from Frankfurt

was turned over to Scottish police.

It flagged one unattended piece of luggage,

a suitcase not connected with anybody on the flight.

a suitcase not connected with anybody on the flight.

That suitcase was destined for Pan Am 103.

Via Frankfurt,

it had originated... in Malta.

it had originated... in Malta.

Forensic experts then looked more closely at the damaged clothing,

finding a pair of Yorkie trousers,

finding a pair of Yorkie trousers,

which Scottish police traced to a clothing manufacturer,

also on Malta.

That manufacturer then led them to one of their buyers.

A shop called Mary's House, again on Malta.

A shop called Mary's House, again on Malta.

Now, Mary's House is owned by the Gauci family.

Tony Gauci has positively identified one of the suspects,

Tony Gauci has positively identified one of the suspects,

Megrahi, to Scottish police

as the man he sold the clothing to

on December 7th, 1988.

on December 7th, 1988.

And then, amazingly...

..found lodged inside the remnants

of one of the shirts that Gauci sold...

of one of the shirts that Gauci sold...

..was this.

Tiny piece of electronic circuit board.

This... is absolutely central

to the Crown's prosecution case.

to the Crown's prosecution case.

Both British and American forensic experts agree...

(PROJECTOR WHIRS)

..this is part of the timer...

..attached to the bomb's detonator.

It was made by a Swiss firm based in Zurich, MEBO,

owned by Edwin Bollier

and Erwin Meister.

and Erwin Meister.

MEBO supplied 20 of the timers

exclusively to Libya.

Not only this, but Megrahi established a front company

Not only this, but Megrahi established a front company

under the name ABH,

used as a cover for Libyan intelligence operations.

This business was established

in the same office building

as MEBO.

And here are our suspects.

(OMINOUS MUSIC STING)

Both men live in Tripoli.

Both are said to be Libyan intelligence agents...

..with Megrahi owning a second passport

..with Megrahi owning a second passport

given to him by the Libyan Intelligence Agency, the JSO.

Both men worked for Libyan-Arab airlines,

Both men worked for Libyan-Arab airlines,

with Megrahi as Head of Airline Security until 1986.

Fhimah, as Station Manager at Malta airport until 1988.

Fhimah, as Station Manager at Malta airport until 1988.

Police believe the bomb was put onto the plane at Malta airport,

using Fhimah's old security pass

to gain airside access, using Air Malta baggage tags

to gain airside access, using Air Malta baggage tags

to allow unaccompanied baggage on board.

That is how Fhimah and Megrahi

That is how Fhimah and Megrahi

were able to get the suitcase airside.

That is how they were able to get the bomb straight through customs,

and bypass airport security.

and bypass airport security.

That is how these men killed 270 people.

(PHONE RINGING)

(PHONE RINGING)

Hello? MURRAY: So let me get this straight.

For almost three years, we've been told

that Flight 103 was a revenge attack by Iran

that Flight 103 was a revenge attack by Iran

for the US shooting down its Airbus, killing 290 people.

They paid a Palestinian terror group, the PFLP-GC,

who are based in Syria,

who are based in Syria,

to carry out the bombing. So, we've got...

motives, named suspects.

But then everything changes.

But then everything changes.

We got it all wrong. It was Libya.

Murray, have you actually read the indictment?

The evidence against them is pretty damning. It's a remarkable piece

The evidence against them is pretty damning. It's a remarkable piece

of detective work.You know, I heard an interesting rumour this morning.

President Bush rang Thatcher three months after Lockerbie

and told her, "Lay off Iran."

and told her, "Lay off Iran."

And then, on top of that,

a year later, Iraq invades Kuwait.

So now, we need Syria's help...

So now, we need Syria's help...

..to liberate Kuwait, keep Iran sweet and out of the way.

That's how you defeat Saddam.

Can you not accept that the Scottish investigators and the CIA

Can you not accept that the Scottish investigators and the CIA

might have got this right? I'm just asking the question, Jim.

The West kicks the Middle East around like a football

to suit its needs, always has done.

to suit its needs, always has done.

I think that's what we're seeing here. Now it's Libya's turn.

Rogue state ruled by Colonel Gaddafi,

a murderous nutjob with a history of funding terrorism.Exactly.

a murderous nutjob with a history of funding terrorism.Exactly.

They have a history of this kind of thing.

And we've been trying to topple Gaddafi for nearly a decade.

I mean, what better excuse? Murray, I'm sorry.

I don't have time to listen to your madcap theories.

I don't have time to listen to your madcap theories.

You mark my words, Jim. If you think...

Gaddafi is going to let the West railroad Libya,

you've got another thing coming.

you've got another thing coming.

REPORTER: You going to do anything about Gaddafi?

NEWSCASTER 1: The United States carried out the attack

in retaliation for what it said were terrorist acts...

in retaliation for what it said were terrorist acts...

REAGAN: Under the direct orders of the Libyan regime.

NEWSCASTER 2: A noted 100 Libyans were killed, 30 in Benghazi-

NEWSCASTER 3: The defiance of Libyans in the street was apparent.

NEWSCASTER 3: The defiance of Libyans in the street was apparent.

NEWSCASTER 4: Suicide squads will be sent to attack American targets.

Renewed anti-American feeling within Libya.

NEWSCASTER 5: Syrian leader President Assad pledging support for Gaddafi.

NEWSCASTER 5: Syrian leader President Assad pledging support for Gaddafi.

NEWSCASTER 6: Almost every major terrorist incident

has been attributed to Libya and Gaddafi.

NEWSCASTER 7: Libya implemented the hijacking of a Pan Am jumbo jet

NEWSCASTER 7: Libya implemented the hijacking of a Pan Am jumbo jet

carried out by four Palestinians.

NEWSCASTER 8: The bullet which killed WPC Yvonne Fletcher

came from Libyans inside the embassy.

NEWSCASTER 9: Supported the Irish Republican Army.

This mad dog of the Middle East referred to

the slaughter in Rome and Vienna airports as a noble act.

the slaughter in Rome and Vienna airports as a noble act.

Iran and Libya are two of the most dangerous supporters

of terrorism in the world.

America is a powerful country.

Will not intimidate us

Will not intimidate us

to accept a responsibility that is not ours.

(CAR DOOR CLOSES AND LOCKS)

Oh, my God!

Oh, my God!

My apologies.

I did not mean to frighten you.

Who the hell are you?

My name is Nabil Nagameldin.

I work for the Al-Ahram newspaper in Cairo.

I have come to tell you that

Gaddafi will never release these two suspects.

That isn't possible. Oh, no, I'm afraid it is.

Libya is under immense international pressure to hand them over.

Libya is under immense international pressure to hand them over.

Which would make most countries capitulate.

But Libya is not most countries.

Libya is ruled by Muammar Gaddafi,

Libya is ruled by Muammar Gaddafi,

who loves nothing more than thumbing his nose at the West.

He will stall and obstruct at every turn.

He will stall and obstruct at every turn.

But he's not stupid. He knows that he has to assuage

the other Middle Eastern and African countries.

So there are rumours...

So there are rumours...

..these men will stand trial.

But in Libya.

No, they cannot be tried in Libya.

No, they cannot be tried in Libya.

It is imperative these men stand trial in Scotland.

I agree. That is why I have come here with a request,

or, more appropriately, an offer...

or, more appropriately, an offer...

(CLEARS THROAT)

..to take you to Libya to meet with Colonel Gaddafi.

(SCOFFS)I have contacts in the Libyan government.

I will write the article and you will...

you will grant me an interview after your meeting.

you will grant me an interview after your meeting.

Why on Earth would I do something like that?

Look, Gaddafi is- is- is impetuous and impatient.

Look, Gaddafi is- is- is impetuous and impatient.

He has to be approached with- with certain,

shall we say, unconventional ways.

An approach like this from you,

An approach like this from you,

that is one of those ways, I'm convinced.

Gaddafi doesn't have the first idea who I am.

You are wrong, Dr Swire.

In the Middle East, you have standing,

In the Middle East, you have standing,

you are known.

You are admired.

People respect you. Truly.

People respect you. Truly.

They have seen you stand up against your government.

Look, next month in New York,

the UN Security Council will be meeting to discuss Resolution 731,

the UN Security Council will be meeting to discuss Resolution 731,

compelling Libya to hand over the two suspects.

Gaddafi will not comply.

Gaddafi will not comply.

Your country and America's next move will be to impose sanctions.

The moment that happens,

Libya will become even more of a pariah state.

Gaddafi's position will harden...

Gaddafi's position will harden...

..and your- your Lockerbie trial will be...

..will be dead, finished.

..will be dead, finished.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

Tell me this is a bad joke.

Are you sure he's not making it all up?Oh, no, he seems genuine.

Are you sure he's not making it all up?Oh, no, he seems genuine.

He writes for a newspaper in Cairo.

Dad, you're not going.

I didn't want to decide anything until I'd spoken to all of you.

I didn't want to decide anything until I'd spoken to all of you.

He's right, though.

If the UN do impose sanctions on Libya,

those two men will never stand trial in Scotland.

those two men will never stand trial in Scotland.

It's crazy, I know- Crazy?

Terry Waite went to Beirut to negotiate the release of hostages,

and they locked him in a basement for four years.

and they locked him in a basement for four years.

Do I have any choice?

If there's no trial, we will never find out the truth.

Do you know what they call Gaddafi?

Do you know what they call Gaddafi?

The Mad Dog. He's a dictator. His regime murders people.

I'm completely aware of that.

I'm sure he's happy to sit down with Jim Swire,

I'm sure he's happy to sit down with Jim Swire,

a GP from Bromsgrove, and give him whatever he wants(!)

Mum, are you gonna say anything? I have.

I didn't want it to descend into this.What did you expect?

I didn't want it to descend into this.What did you expect?

That we're all behind you?

No, please... Will, please come back.

(FOOTSTEPS RECEDING)

Well, Gaddafi's popularity stems from his nationalist achievements.

Demanding higher prices for Libyan oil,

Demanding higher prices for Libyan oil,

expelling foreign military bases,

support for Palestine and other anti-imperialist causes.

Gaddafi has also had dozens of his critics

Gaddafi has also had dozens of his critics

around the world... assassinated.

The moral support you wanted?

I have to do this. I can't tell you what to do.

You would go. Like a shot.

But I don't have a family.

But I don't have a family.

I'm not a spokesman for UK Families Flight 103.

Have you told them about this? Not yet.

Have you told them about this? Not yet.

But I'm hoping they'll be in support.

The group...

The family's not exactly happy about it.

The family's not exactly happy about it.

(GROANS)

What?

Just make sure they don't say anything to anyone.

Just make sure they don't say anything to anyone.

Why? Jim, are you kiddin'?

(CHUCKLES)

(CHUCKLES)

You took a fake bomb on a passenger plane.

You've pissed off Thatcher's government God knows how many times.

They'll be watching your every move. No.

You really think so? They'll get every fax before you do.

Tap every phone call.

They've probably been listening in for years. From now on,

They've probably been listening in for years. From now on,

you need to be careful what you say.

But I promised Jane I'd phone her every day.

(SIGHS)

Will they try to stop me, you think?

Libya's been on the state-sponsored terrorism list

since 1979. So yeah,

since 1979. So yeah,

they might. You watch yourself.

You're no good to anyone dead.

If I call you and say, "Tell the family everything's alright,"

that means what it says.

I'm safe.

I'm safe.

Bye, darling.

If I say, "Tell the family everything's fine..."

If I say, "Tell the family everything's fine..."

That means things are not going as planned, but they're not critical.

If I say, "Tell EVERY-one everything's alright."

If I say, "Tell EVERY-one everything's alright."

That means I'm in danger.

Phone the Foreign Office and tell them to get me out.

Phone the Foreign Office and tell them to get me out.

And what if you can't get to a phone?

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

(PLANE ENGINE ROARING)

(PLANE ENGINE ROARING)

(ENGINE STARTS)

(TYRES SCREECH)

(DRAMATIC MUSIC CONTINUES)

(MUSIC SOFTENS)

(MUSIC FADES)

(MUSIC FADES)

(QUIETLY) It's OK. We wait here.

Who's this?

It's, uh, the 1986 attack,

when Reagan ordered the bombing of Tripoli.

when Reagan ordered the bombing of Tripoli.

Gaddafi's adoptive daughter, Hannah, was killed instantly.

She was 15 months old.

She was 15 months old.

He has never forgotten.

Please.

Please.

(SPEAKING ARABIC)

Um, I will wait for you here.

Good luck, Dr Swire.

Good luck, Dr Swire.

(FOREBODING MUSIC)

(DOOR OPENS)

(DOOR OPENS)

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)

(MUSIC STOPS)

Thank you for meeting with me, sir.

You have come to talk with me.

So, talk.

So, talk.

We, um, myself...

..and the families and relatives of those who died,

..and the families and relatives of those who died,

our utmost desire is, uh,

to see justice done.

So tell me, how will justice be done?

Already the West has convicted them.

Already the West has convicted them.

They are the Lockerbie bombers.

The Libyan mass murderers. Is that justice?

No, sir. It is not.

If I may...

I brought...

I brought...

some photographs...

of my daughter. Flora.

I ask only that the two men accused of this crime be made to stand trial.

I ask only that the two men accused of this crime be made to stand trial.

I assure you, they will be treated fairly.

When has Libya ever been treated fairly?

When has Libya ever been treated fairly?

Can you tell me? My country is being blackmailed

and bullied into compliance by the Americans,

by the UN, and your country.

by the UN, and your country.

If you do as they wish-Why should I agree to a trial here or anywhere?

Did the cowardly American pilot who dropped the missile on my home

Did the cowardly American pilot who dropped the missile on my home

ever stand a trial? No.

He was commended for his bravery.

This meeting is over.

This meeting is over.

(BRIEFCASE THUDS, LOCK CLOCKS)

(BRIEFCASE THUDS, LOCK CLOCKS)

Sir, we both lost daughters.

I'm asking you, father to father.

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

This is not about revenge.

Pan Am 103.

The truth must be known.

I only want to know who killed my daughter.

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC CONTINUES)

(MUSIC FLOURISHES, ENDS)

A British man who lost his daughter in the Pan Am 103 bombing

is being criticized for meeting with Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi.

is being criticized for meeting with Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi.

I fully understand the repugnance at anyone shaking the hand

of Colonel Gaddafi, a man who may have known about,

of Colonel Gaddafi, a man who may have known about,

or even ordered the Lockerbie plot.

But let them also ask themselves

if they want to see these two men stand trial or not.

I'm angry because the British perception of Jim Swire

I'm angry because the British perception of Jim Swire

is that he speaks for all of us.

BERT: Well, Jim's heart was in the right place,

BERT: Well, Jim's heart was in the right place,

but, uh, he left his brain at home.

The Libyans have won a propaganda coup with this trip.

Jim Swire has been duped by Gaddafi.

Jim Swire has become Gaddafi's poodle.

MOSEY: We're glad as a group to have someone like Jim,

someone who is as active

and committed and dedicated.

and committed and dedicated.

Although it has, and...

it will cost him a great deal.

(SPEAKING ARABIC)

(SPEAKING ARABIC)

Pierre Salinger, ABC News. Hello, sir.

Pierre Salinger, ABC News. Hello, sir.

I'm very grateful you've agreed to speak with me, Mr Megrahi.

America is very interested in what you have to say about these charges.

According to the indictment, you travelled with a special suitcase

from Tripoli to Malta Airport

on the 20th of December, 1988.

on the 20th of December, 1988.

What you mean special suitcase?

A Samsonite suitcase.

No, that is wrong. Uh...

No, that is wrong. Uh...

Whenever I go to Malta,

which is a lot, because of my job, I... I...

I carry what I... what I carry in a...

I carry what I... what I carry in a...

a clothing case.

It's a small case, a small case.

A small case. Nev... Never big case.

You keep a diary, Mr Fhimah, do you not?

Yes, a personal diary. Hmm.

They say you wrote a reminder to take some Air Malta baggage tags,

They say you wrote a reminder to take some Air Malta baggage tags,

the kind that get bags onto planes unaccompanied from the airport.

Now, why would you have written that?

Now, why would you have written that?

If I could, uh, look at my diary,

I could tell you why.

The indictment also says that when you went to Malta

on the 20th of December,

on the 20th of December,

you did so on a false passport, using a false name.

If I had written something important in my diary,

I wouldn't have just left it there.

I wouldn't have just left it there.

In other words, if you felt there was something in there

that might implicate you in some crime?Exactly. Exactly.

(CHUCKLES) I'm, uh, surprised they tell me this.

(CHUCKLES) I'm, uh, surprised they tell me this.

I'm here in Tripoli.

My family know I was here. I was here. They know I was here.

Well, the indictment says you were in Malta.

Well, the indictment says you were in Malta.

That you stayed at the Holiday Inn on the night of the 20th,

into the 21st of December, 1988, the day of the bombing.

My friend, I tell you, I'm... I'm not on Malta on the day.

My friend, I tell you, I'm... I'm not on Malta on the day.

I was here. You were here, in Tripoli,

on the 21st of December? Yes.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(ENGINE STARTS UP)

(SIGHS)

(SIGHS)

(SPEAKING ARABIC)

(PHONE RINGING)

Hello? NABIL: Hello, Jim.

Hello? NABIL: Hello, Jim.

Nabil. It's exactly as I feared.

The UN Security Council have passed the resolution.

And now Gaddafi is refusing to release the two suspects,

And now Gaddafi is refusing to release the two suspects,

despite the sanctions. No.

We've reached a stalemate, Jim.

A standoff has begun.

COUNCIL MEMBER: The international community will not tolerate

COUNCIL MEMBER: The international community will not tolerate

such threats to international peace and security.

It is prepared to take concerted political action

It is prepared to take concerted political action

against the continuing defiance

represented by Libya's state-supported terrorists.

NEWSCASTER 1: At a five-year memorial service,

NEWSCASTER 1: At a five-year memorial service,

President Clinton had appeared to throw down the gauntlet

for the Pan Am bombing.

It was an attack on America.

NEWSCASTER 2: The next logical punitive step by the United Nations

NEWSCASTER 2: The next logical punitive step by the United Nations

would be to order a naval blockade.

Libyan anger over United Nations' sanction vote

has apparently come to a boil.

has apparently come to a boil.

Demonstrators attacked foreign embassies in Tripoli today.

NEWSCASTER 4: ..took to the streets to protest-

NEWSCASTER 5: US sanctions have cost nearly $2.5 billion.

NEWSCASTER 5: US sanctions have cost nearly $2.5 billion.

RUBINO: My clients have advised me that they cannot get a fair trial

in the United States where people believe they're already guilty.

NEWSCASTER 6: Under no circumstances will they be extradited

NEWSCASTER 6: Under no circumstances will they be extradited

to face trial in the West. Sorry, we cannot.

It is unacceptable to say justice in Scotland is not fair.

About time all sides stop shouting at each other from the touchline.

About time all sides stop shouting at each other from the touchline.

I'm not here to talk politics. I'm here to talk truth and justice.

LIBYAN MINISTER: We have the same interest like Jim Swire.

We want the truth to be revealed and to be found.

We want the truth to be revealed and to be found.

Have we done everything we could do?

Well, uh, if that's so, it hasn't been enough.

NEWSCASTER 7: Eight years after Pan Am 103 was blown out of the sky,

NEWSCASTER 7: Eight years after Pan Am 103 was blown out of the sky,

the case against the suspected terrorist bombers

is an international standoff going nowhere.

Libya's leader refuses to hand the men over.

Libya's leader refuses to hand the men over.

Resolving the case of Pan Am 103 in a court of law

seems as distant as ever.

My latest proposal will be my last.

My latest proposal will be my last.

If this doesn't work, it may be the end of the line.

There is a slight chance it will be accepted,

and any chance is better than no chance.

and any chance is better than no chance.

Thank you for meeting me, Professor Black.

Thank you for meeting me, Professor Black.

Oh, please, Jim. It's, uh, Robert.

I feel like I already know you.

Please.

After four long years,

After four long years,

this is where we stand.

We are proposing the trial be held in a neutral country.

The Netherlands?Uh, it's the only way we'll get the Libyans on board.

The Netherlands?Uh, it's the only way we'll get the Libyans on board.

It's the same with the jury.

Their lawyers are arguing that any jury will be biased.

So we're proposing a panel of Scottish judges,

So we're proposing a panel of Scottish judges,

which Libya are still...

(SIGHS) ..mulling over.

You've had quite a battle of it.

We are making legal history here.

We are making legal history here.

Nothing like this on this scale has ever been done before.

The only problem is the US and the UK don't want

The only problem is the US and the UK don't want

to be seen making concessions to Gaddafi.

And Gaddafi wants the Arab world to see him standing up

to the imperialistic dogs of the West.

to the imperialistic dogs of the West.

Behind closed doors, of course, both sides are desperate to agree.

The UK and the US for the sake of the families,

and Libya because UN sanctions are slowly killing the country.

Right now, it's Gaddafi that worries me.

I think he's about to walk away,

I think he's about to walk away,

whether his country collapses or not.You can't give up.

I don't want to. I was born and raised in Lockerbie, Jim.

We will do all we can. Believe me.

We will do all we can. Believe me.

But unless we can get Gaddafi on board,

it's game over.

I'll help you.

I'll help you.

I have Gaddafi on speed dial.

(KEYPAD BEEPING)

(KEYPAD BEEPING)

Last traces of my sense of humour, Robert.

Ah. (CHUCKLES)

Ah. (CHUCKLES)

But I'm serious.

We should go and pay him a visit.

We should go and pay him a visit.

(OMINOUS MUSIC)

(MUSIC INTENSIFIES)

(MUSIC INTENSIFIES)

(MUSIC FADES)

(MUSIC FADES)

Don't take waiting this long as a bad sign.

(SPEAKS ARABIC)

(BOTH SPEAKING ARABIC)

(BOTH SPEAKING ARABIC)

(IN ENGLISH) This is Professor Robert Black,

the legal expert who first proposed the idea.

the legal expert who first proposed the idea.

(SPEAKS ARABIC)

(IN ENGLISH) Have a seat.

My patience is being tested.

My patience is being tested.

My legal experts has been in a discussion

with yours for many years.

We are impatient also, but we must persevere.

Uh... Uh, the tide is turning, sir.

I note that the Arab League have signalled their displeasure

at the current sanctions.

at the current sanctions.

The whole world wants to see this trial happen.

The one thing they aren't expecting

is for you to take the lead. Send the suspects.

The... The trial will be fair, your reputation intact.

The... The trial will be fair, your reputation intact.

And they will have no choice but to lift the sanctions. You win.

On every count, sir.

A victory for both you and your country.

The way you lead,

others will follow.

NEWSCASTER 1: The Libyan government has finally agreed

NEWSCASTER 1: The Libyan government has finally agreed

to allow the suspects to be tried

in neutral territory under Scottish law.

(POUNDING ON DOOR)

(POUNDING ON DOOR)

NEWSCASTER 2: The trial masterminded by Professor Robert Black,

will be held at a former airbase in the Netherlands,

will be held at a former airbase in the Netherlands,

a first in international legal history.

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

NEWSCASTER 3: Some people said there was never going to be

a criminal trial into the mass murder over Lockerbie.

a criminal trial into the mass murder over Lockerbie.

There now is going to be a criminal trial.

And best of all, the relatives will now have

the chance to hear the evidence that we hold

the chance to hear the evidence that we hold

brought out in a local court.

(OMINOUS MUSIC)

I know you want to go to the trial.

But after it's over,

I want you to promise me something.

I want you to promise me something.

What?

That that's the end of it.

You stop.

You accept the verdict, whatever it is.

(HANDCUFFS CLICK)

And we get you back.

(INTENSE MUSIC)

(MUSIC BUILDING)

I promise.

(MUSIC STOPS)

Subtitles by Sky Access Services www.skyaccessibility.sky

Subtitles by Sky Access Services www.skyaccessibility.sky