Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. letter to the editor of the Baltimore Sun, September 24, 1999

ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR. Congress of tfje Unite*) States Щош of iRepreeratattoM ®HaSt)ington, 5ЭС 20515-2002 COMMERCE COMMITTEE ASSISTANT DEPUTY MAJORITY WHIP September 24, 1 999 Letters to the Editor The Baltimore Sun 501 N. Calvert St. Essex. MD 21221 Baltimore, MD 21278 Dear Editor: This letter responds to the Sun editorial, “Clinton Within Rights to Grant Clemency,” published September 22, 1 999. Contrary to the Sun 's suggestion, I believe Americans should be concerned about the President’s clemency grant to 16 convicted terrorists of the FALN, a Puerto Rican independence group. Mr. Clinton’s action has significantly compromised the U.S. hard line on terrorism and undercuts future efforts by the U.S. to pressure other governments to stand firm against terrorism. This wholesale release was strongly opposed by the nation’s law enforcement institutions and criminal prosecutors. In a draft letter to Judiciary Chairman Henry Hyde, FBI Director Louis Freeh stated, these individuals "... participated in activities resulting in no fewer than nine fatalities, hundreds of injuries, millions of dollars in property damage, and armed attacks on U.S. Government facilities." Further, Congress overwhelmingly condemned the President’s decision in a bipartisan resolution by votes of 3 1 1- 41 (House) and 95-2 (Senate). While the President has the legal right to grant clemency, he has the moral obligation to explain his motives to the families of the dead Americans, wounded policemen, and innocent victims of the FALN’s 130 bombings from 1974-1983. He, alone, must answer why Americans must accept back terrorists into society- criminals who have not even expressed remorse or evidenced rehabilitation. The White House spin- the 1 6 terrorists did not commit violent acts- is simply wrong. The facts indicate, they were committing violent crimes when arrested: • Eight were found in a stolen van filled with weapons waiting to kidnap a wealthy Chicago businessman; • Three held hostage employees of the Chicago Carter/Mondale headquarters during an armed take-over. • Two were caught on FBI surveillance tape making a bomb and planning a break out of Leavenworth Prison; and Three were involved in plotting an armed hold-up of an armored car in Connecticut.