Sept 9, 1999
WASHINGTON (CNN) — The White House gave final approval Thursday to the Bureau of Prisons for the release of 11 members of a militant Puerto Rican nationalist group who agreed to renounce violence in return for clemency from President Clinton. The release of the prisoners could begin as early as Friday night.
Another prisoner who accepted clemency still must serve five more years at a federal prison in Florida before he is eligible for release.
The president offered clemency to a total of 16 convicted Armed Forces of National Liberation (FALN) members. Two rejected the offer, while two others — who are already out of prison, but would have their fines reduced as part of the deal — have yet to respond and must do so by 5 p.m. EDT Friday.
Granting clemency is a presidential prerogative that cannot be overruled by Congress, but lawmakers formally criticized President Clinton on Thursday for being soft on terrorism. .......”
http://www.cnn.com/US/9909/09/faln.clemency/
Sept 5, 1999:
“Hillary Rodham Clinton, distancing herself from a politically controversial action by her husband, said yesterday that she opposes the release from prison or other forms of clemency for 16 members of a Puerto Rican terrorist group that was involved in more than 100 bombings in this country at least 15 years ago.
When President Clinton announced a clemency offer on Aug. 11, it had strong support from human rights leaders and was widely seen as boosting Hillary Clinton’s standing among New York’s Hispanic voters in her expected campaign for the Senate next year. But a backlash quickly developed against the offer from senior law enforcement officials and leading New York politicians.
In a statement yesterday explaining her position, Hillary Clinton said the prisoners had not renounced further acts of violence, a key condition of the president’s offer. “It’s been three weeks and their silence speaks volumes,” she said.
The back-and-forth underscored the complex – and deepening – interconnection between the presidency and Hillary Clinton’s unfolding Senate campaign.....”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/campaigns/keyraces2000/stories/hillary090599.htm