Decisions have diplomatic repurcussions. Of course the decision lies in the hands of Scottish officials, but that doesn't mean the US isn't allowed to scowl at Scotland and make its displeasure unknown. Scotland has the right to decide, and with it comes the responsibility to bear the consequences, which is this case includes a harsh letter from the FBI.
I bet it didn't even occur to Scottish officials that this man's release would be celebrated in Libya, but I'm not sure if it's as terrible as the director of the FBI thinks it is. I think if the West can manage to project a more merciful and compassionate image, it would hurt the recruitment efforts of violent Islamists who depend on an image of the West as being imperialist, paternalistic, and meddlesome.
"The worst part about these reviews is they are [subjective]--and their scores often depend on how drunk you got the media at a Street Fighter event." — Mona Hamilton, Capcom Senior VP of Marketing
*Image indefinitely borrowed from BrainBoxLtd without his consent.
