THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, August 6, 1994 TAG: 9408050036
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 42 lines
The editorial ``Don't pardon Peltier'' (Aug. 2) fails to accurately address the situation, much less make a judgment.
It does not mention that the so-called wanted man was accused of stealing a pair of cowboy boots. What was the FBI doing on an Indian reservation looking for stolen cowboy boots?
Maybe you should stop receiving your information from the Hollywood left. The only references are from film and television. Why don't you research what you write about?
How about explaining why the FBI refuses to release 6,000 documents relating to this case? The FBI claims reasons of national security.
You scoff at the fact that 30 members of Congress signed the petition for Leonard Peltier's clemency. Peltier has the support of 78 varied world leaders - including the Archbishop of Canterbury, Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela, Amnesty International, Jesse Jackson and our own Sen. Charles Robb.
I realize that editorial page editor John Barnes enjoys maintaining the ultraconservative position, but this is simply absurd, blatant disregard for the truth.
The editorial makes light of the fact that Peltier may have been a scapegoat for the FBI because of his involvement in the American Indian Movement, failing to acknowledge that throughout the '70s, the FBI conducted a counterintelligence program that investigated AIM and the Black Panthers.
Two others involved in the incident were tried on the same grounds as Peltier, and both were acquitted on grounds of self-defense. Ultimately, Peltier became the target for revenge-hungry FBI agents who coerced witnesses and fabricated evidence.
I can endure biased opinions, but not ignorance.
RUBEN REMULLA JR.
Norfolk, Aug. 2, 1994 by CNB