Judicial Watch - Because no one is above the law!

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For Immediate Release
Oct 12, 2000	Contact: Press Office 202-646-5172
FBI DOCUMENTS TIE CONGRESSMAN TO PUERTO RICAN TERRORIST GROUP – CONGRESSMAN HAD LOBBIED FOR RELEASE OF TERRORISTS Documents: FBI Opposed Clinton Pardon of Terrorists -- “Directly or Indirectly” Tied to “Nine Fatalities” Documents Released to Judicial Watch Over One Year Late (Washington, DC) The FBI, under the Freedom of Information Act, released last week to Judicial Watch new documents showing that the FBI linked an United States Congressman, Luis Guiterrez, to a Puerto Rican terrorist group whose members were released onto the streets by the Clinton-Gore Administration last year. The documents show that the FBI vociferously opposed this release, saying that the terrorist groups “pose a danger to the American public.” Chicago-area Democratic Congressman Luis Guiterrez reportedly lobbied Bill Clinton and Al Gore on behalf of the jailed Puerto Rican terrorists. Clinton later granted most of them clemency. The documents were first requested on September 2, 1999. According to a 1997 report entitled “Armed and Dangerous Escape Risk” from the FBI’s Chicago office, Congressman Guiterrez is one of several politicians who are former members of the Puerto Rican “independence movement” who “have secured positions within the local, state and federal political arenas and continue to promote the agenda of the FALN/MLN within the confines of their official duties.” Another 1999 FBI report notes the FBI’s “vigorous opposition” to clemency for the terrorists: As active members of Puerto Rican terrorist groups, these individuals sanctioned, supported and/or directly or indirectly participated in activities resulting in no fewer that nine fatalities, hundreds of injuries, millions of dollars in property damage, and armed attacks on U.S. Government facilities...To suggest they have been wrongly incarcerated for their political beliefs is factually erroneous and nonsensical. The documents indicate that the FBI only found out about that Clinton was considering clemency for the terrorists through press reports. Some of these documents will be made available on Judicial Watch’s Internet site at www.judicialwatch.org. Judicial Watch, a public interest group that investigates and prosecutes public corruption, is suing under the FOIA law to obtain documents related to clemency for the terrorists. Judicial Watch also is seeking documents relating to Hillary Clinton’s support for clemency for the terrorists. “Bill Clinton, to seemingly help Hillary Clinton in her Senate campaign, released terrorists onto the streets that his own FBI said posed a danger to the American public. This is one of his most despicable and lawless acts as president,” stated Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. Page 1 of FBI Documents Page 2 of FBI Documents Page 3 of FBI Documents Top of Page