US senators call on UK, BP officials to testify at hearing on release of Lockerbie bomber

Senators want UK officials at Lockerbie hearing

NEW YORK — U.S. Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (KEHR’-sten JIHL’-uh-brand) and Robert Menendez are hoping U.K. officials reconsider their decisions not to appear at a hearing this week on the release of the Lockerbie bomber.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is looking into the circumstances surrounding Abdel Baset al-Megrahi’s (AHB’-dehl BAH’-seht AH’-lee ahl-meh-GRAH’-hees) 2009 release. The senators are probing whether an oil exploration deal between BP and Libya influenced the decision.

Menendez said Monday that Scottish officials have declined to attend the hearing, as has former British Justice Secretary Jack Straw.

The committee also wants to hear from BP Chief Tony Hayward at Thursday’s hearing. The board of BP is weighing weather to keep Hayward in that position. However, Menendez says he should testify no matter what.