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
.