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Yesterday, Libyan dictator Muamar Qaddafi spoke to the United Nations for over two hours. During his speech he called the U.N. Security Council a “Terror Council.” Qaddafi went on to suggest the State of Israel was behind the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and that the H1N1 flu might be a military or corporate weapon.

Last month, when Scotland freed Abel Baset Megrahi, the only man convicted in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, Qaddafi greeted him with a hero’s welcome. Megrahi was accompanied back to Libya by Qaddafi’s son, Saif, who was involved in the negotiations for Megrahi’s release.

Despite the U.S. Administration’s strong condemnation of Megrahi’s release, the State Department notified Congress on September 15, 2009, of its intent to provide $200,000 to Saif Qaddafi’s foundation (Qaddafi Development Foundation) and another $200,000 expected to go to an organization run by Muammar Qaddafi’s daughter, Aisha and the UNDP, where she serves as goodwill ambassador for Libya.  Click here to view the State Department's notification.

Just weeks after the Qaddafi family celebrated the return of a terrorist responsible for the murders of 189 Americans, the U.S. taxpayer should not be asked to reward them with $400,000.

Below is the letter I am sending to President Obama asking him to remove this funding:

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Washington, D.C.

Dear Mr. President:

Earlier this week, Libyan leader Muammar el-Qaddafi stood before the United Nations General Assembly and called the U.N. Security Council a “Terror Council.” Qaddafi went on to suggest the State of Israel was behind the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and that the H1N1 flu might be a military or corporate weapon.

Last month, when Scotland freed Abel Baset Megrahi, the only man convicted in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, Qaddafi greeted him with a hero’s welcome. As you know, Megrahi was accompanied back to Libya by Qaddafi’s son, Saif, who was involved in the negotiations for Megrahi’s release.

At the time, you expressed your disappointment over Megrahi’s release and called it a mistake. Attorney General Holder said, “There is simply no justification for releasing this convicted terrorist whose actions took the lives of 270 individuals, including 189 Americans.”

That is why we are disturbed by a congressional notification dated September 15, 2009, informing the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State-Foreign Operations of the State Department’s intent to provide $200,000 to Muammar Qaddafi’s son, Saif Qaddafi’s foundation. Another $200,000 may be distributed to an organization known as Waettasmeno run by Muammar Qaddafi’s daughter, Aisha.

We understand that there is little existing infrastructure to encourage civil society growth in Libya. However, just weeks after the Qaddafi family celebrated the return of a terrorist responsible for the murders of 189 Americans, the U.S. taxpayer should not be asked to reward them with $400,000. For the sake of the victims’ families who have endured so much pain these last few weeks, I ask you to withdraw your Administration’s request.