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
FALN Commutation of 1999
On August 11, 1999, Clinton commuted the sentences of 16 members of FALN, which is a Puerto Rican paramilitary organization that set off 120 bombs in the United States, mostly in New York City and Chicago. There were convictions for conspiracy to commit robbery, bomb-making, and sedition, as well as firearms and explosives violations.
The 16 were convicted of conspiracy and sedition and sentenced with terms ranging from 35 to 105 years in prison. Congress, however, recognizes that the FALN is responsible for “6 deaths and the permanent maiming of dozens of others, including law enforcement officials.”
....Congress condemned this action by President Clinton, with votes of 95-2 in the Senate and 311-41 in the House.[10][11] The U.S. House Committee on Government Reform held an investigation on the matter, but the Justice Department prevented FBI officials from testifying. President Clinton cited executive privilege for his refusal to turn over some documents to Congress related to his decision to offer clemency to members of the FALN terrorist group.
Among those who accepted clemency are:
Edwin Cortes, sentenced to 35 years in prison.
Elizam Escobar, sentenced to 60 years in prison.
Ricardo Jimenez, sentenced to 90 years in prison.
Adolfo Matos, sentenced to 70 years in prison.
Dylcia Noemi Pagan, sentenced to 55 years in prison.
Alicia Rodríguez, sentenced to 55 years in prison.
Ida Luz Rodriguez, sentenced to 75 years in prison.
Luis Rosa, sentenced to 75 years in prison.
Carmen Valentin, sentenced to 90 years in prison.
Alberto Rodriguez, sentenced to 35 years in prison.
Alejandrina Torres, sentenced to 35 years in prison.
Those who rejected clemency include:
Juan Enrique Segarra-Palmer, sentenced to 55 years in prison; released on 25 January 2004.
Oscar López Rivera, sentenced to 70 years in prison refused clemency and remains incarcerated.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Clinton_pardon_controversy