[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 108 (Thursday, September 14, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8538-S8539]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             FALN CLEMENCY

  Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I came to the floor to talk about a 
significant date in this Nation's fight against terrorism. This week 
marks the Clinton-Gore administration's decision to jeopardize American 
lives by surrendering to one of the most violent terrorist groups ever 
to operate on this country's soil.
  One year ago this week, President Clinton opened the jailhouse doors 
for 11 members of a terrorist group known as the FALN, which is 
dedicated to the violent pursuit of Puerto Rican independence. The FALN 
has claimed responsibility for some 130 bombings at civilian, 
political, and military sites in the United States. In all, the group 
murdered six Americans and maimed, often permanently, 84 others, 
including law enforcement officers.
  On one occasion, members attacked a Navy bus in Puerto Rico killing 
two sailors and wounding nine others. As a result, 16 members of this 
violent terrorist group were convicted of dozens of felonies against 
the United States, and as soon as these 16 were in prison, the bombings 
stopped.
  I note that these violent terrorists were convicted of at least 36 
counts of violating Federal firearms control laws. So at the same time 
the Clinton-Gore administration was demanding more gun control--and we 
have heard it for hours and hours on end on the floor of the Senate and 
certainly the White House has spoken openly for gun control over the 
last number of years--not only were they failing to enforce current gun 
laws already on the books, but when those laws are enforced, they brush 
aside felony convictions as a political favor to their friends.

  Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, will the Senator yield?
  Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I yield to the Senator from Oklahoma for a 
moment to speak specifically about how this administration has 
mishandled the gun control laws of our Nation.
  Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I will add to my friend's thoughtful 
analysis. This is yet another example of the President's apparent lack 
of concern for the rule of law. All year long, the administration has 
berated the Republican majority for not doing enough on controlling gun 
violence. Yet at the same time, by releasing these terrorists, he has 
set aside 36 specific Federal firearms convictions pertaining to:
  Possessing an unregistered firearm;

[[Page S8539]]

  Possession of firearms during the commission of seditious conspiracy;
  Transport of firearms with intent to commit seditious conspiracy;
  Possession of firearm without a serial number;
  Conspiracy to make destructive devices.
  Let there be no mistake, these were not people merely exercising 
their first amendment right of freedom of speech. They are responsible 
for the deaths of six Americans and the injury of at least 84 others.
  One has to wonder why the administration will not simply enforce 
existing law. The record shows the Clinton-Gore administration has not 
enforced Federal gun laws, and more disturbing, they have conveniently 
forgotten the law if it suits their political ends. I believe the 
President's efforts for these terrorists were just that.
  Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I thank my colleague from Oklahoma. He so 
clearly spells out the frustration Americans have when we are going to 
be tough against terrorism and then see a President offering clemency.
  In 1982, the FALN detonated four powerful bombs in New York's 
financial district and demanded better treatment for 11 of their jailed 
comrades and members. One year ago this week, President Clinton freed 8 
of those 11, shredding the longstanding policy of the United States of 
not granting concessions to terrorists.
  Any reasonable American has to ask, Why would the President do it? 
What is he doing setting violent terrorists free to once again roam the 
streets of America? None of these terrorists contested the evidence 
brought against them at trial. None of these terrorists apologized to 
their victims. In fact, at least one of the freed terrorists stated 
that he felt no remorse whatsoever for his crimes. None of these 
terrorists were ever asked to be let out of prison. The FBI asked the 
President not to do it. The Federal Bureau of Prisons asked the 
President not to do it.
  Had he bothered to ask the victims of the FALN and their families, 
they would have begged him not to do it. He did it anyway, and we are 
not quite sure why.
  Internal White House documents tell us, ``The Vice President's Puerto 
Rican position would be helped,'' clearly demonstrating an impulse to 
jeopardize public safety for political gain. Political gain by setting 
terrorists loose.
  A former political adviser to President Clinton put it this way:

       Anyone who doesn't believe the timing, and the likely 
     substance of [President Clinton's] decision was linked to the 
     [First Lady's] courtship of New York's large Puerto Rican 
     [community] is too naive for politics.

  If there is one thing this administration has accomplished in its 8 
years, it is to shatter my naivete or my trust that when the President 
stands up and speaks, that there is not some political or clandestine 
motive behind his very actions.
  One year later, what do we have? Eleven violent terrorists at large 
on our streets; two more to be released this coming year. True, there 
have not been any killings that we can link to the terrorists since 
that time, but they are loose on the streets of America demonstrating 
at least that this President has violated a cardinal rule in our 
country: the United States does not make concessions to terrorists.
  For that action, one year ago today, Democrats and Republicans stood 
on this floor and condemned this deplorable act. Interestingly, when I 
began to look into this, I saw that Al Gore's running mate Senator Joe 
Lieberman stood up to the President and condemned his actions. Even the 
First Lady stood up to the President and condemned his actions. Just 
about the only politician in Washington who has yet to stand up to Bill 
Clinton is Vice President Al Gore.
  As Vice President of the United States, Al Gore could have 
intervened. He could have talked to the President, said that this is 
madness to let terrorists loose after they have been convicted, to 
shred gun control laws. But Al Gore did not lift a finger to protect 
the FALN's next victims. All he said was, quote:

       I'm not going to stand in judgment of his decision.

  Not going to stand in judgment? When a madman killed 168 people in a 
single bombing in Oklahoma City, Al Gore said, and I quote:

       [T]o those of you who doubt our resolve in America, listen 
     closely. If you plot terror or act on those designs, within 
     our borders or without, against American citizens, we will 
     hunt you down and stop you cold.

  I guess what he is saying is: Bomb innocent Americans, and Al Gore 
will stop you cold. But if you use small bombs, and you only kill a few 
Americans, and you fit our political needs, then we will release you.
  Mr. Vice President, maybe it is time you stand up and clarify for 
America what you really believe.
  Mr. Vice President, how hard is it to say: ``Violent terrorists 
belong in jail''? How hard is it to say: ``I will not reward 
terrorism''? How hard is it to tell the American people: ``I will not 
release violent terrorists from prison for political gain''?
  Al Gore is going to be in Manhattan today. I hope he will visit the 
corner of Pearl and Broad Streets where Bill Newhall was maimed, and 
where Frank Connor, Alex Berger, Harold Sherburne, and Jim Gezork lost 
their lives to an FALN bomb. Perhaps that will help Al Gore make up his 
mind.
  Or perhaps Al Gore should ask his running mate, Senator Joe 
Lieberman, how to stand up to Bill Clinton. Maybe Senator Lieberman 
could convince his running mate to stand up for the rights of innocent 
Americans against those who perpetrate violence. Maybe then Al Gore can 
prevent the President from putting more American lives in jeopardy.
  Mr. President, may I ask how much time I have remaining?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator's time has expired.
  Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I yield the floor.

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