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Scotland is no longer the invisible country of Western Europe. Following its decision last month to release Abdel Baset al-Megrahi, the man convicted of carrying out the 1988 Lockerbie bombing, the semi-autonomous state has attracted global attention, albeit not all positive. It seems that was precisely the government's plan.

Kenny MacAskill, Scotland's justice minister, insisted that the "compassionate" act of releasing Megrahi was "based on the values, beliefs and common humanity that defines us as Scots." He has omitted to mention one fact: That the decision may have been a favor granted to wealthy Arab benefactors in the hopes that they will bankroll Edinburgh's push for full independence from the U.K.