DATE=9/9/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CONGRESS-PUERTO RICO (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-253657
BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: President Clinton's decision to offer clemency
to 16 Puerto Rican nationalists is drawing sharp
criticism on Capitol Hill. The House of
Representatives has passed a resolution condemning the
action. Correspondent Paula Wolfson reports the
debate in the legislative chamber was unusually
personal for members on both sides of the issue.
TEXT: The story is told by two lawmakers. Both grew
up in the immigrant communities of New York City. But
they see the clemency offer through very different
eyes.
Republican Vito Fosella comes from a district that is
home to some of the victims of a Puerto Rican group
called the F-A-L-N - - the Spanish initials for Armed
Forces of National Liberation. The dead include Frank
Conner -- killed in a 1975 restaurant bombing in
Manhatten.
///FOSSELLA ACT///
His sons, Joseph Conner and Thomas Conner were
nine and 11-years old at the time. Joseph
Conner was celebrating his ninth-birthday that
day. His father never made it home.
/// END ACT ///
Congressman Fossella spoke of the widows and the
fatherless children. He told the stories of policemen
left blind and deaf by a series of F-A-L-N bombs
between 1974 and 1983.
/// FOSSELLA ACT ///
...and those are just some of the victims of
this F-A-L-N organization. And now we are about
to set these people free who call themselves
freedom fighters?
/// END ACT ///
Few members of the House argued with his premise. But
one lawmaker asked his colleagues to take a second
look at the case.
///SERRANO TEASE ACT///
At the center of this problem is the
relationship between the United States and
Puerto Rico.-
/// END ACT ///
Congressman Jose Serrano was born in Puerto Rico. He
said there is no excuse for violence, but there is a
time for reconciliation.
/// SERRANO ACT ///
You can disagree with me. And I know I can not
win this argument. But for God's sake, just try
to understand what this issue is all about.
/// END ACT ///
The New York Democrat spoke in personal terms. He
said Puerto Rico is my mother...and the United States
is my father.
/// SERRANO ACT ///
...and for 101 years she has been saying either
take me in or let me go. Take me in or let me
go. I have chosen Congress to make that
argument. Some have chosen other ways.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Serena noted that none of the Puerto Rican
nationalists offered clemency was convicted of a
violent crime. Other lawmakers argued their
connection to the F-A-L-N is strong enough to label
them as -- terrorists.
Tweleve of the 16 have accepted the clemency offer.
Congressional hearings on the matter will be held, but
there is nothing the House and Senate can do to
reverse the President's decision. (SIGNED)
NEB/PW/LTD/RAE
09-Sep-1999 14:32 PM LOC (09-Sep-1999 1832 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
