THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, July 27, 1996 TAG: 9607270249
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: 49 lines
President Clinton rejected a clemency plea from convicted spy Jonathan Pollard after more than 10 years in prison, citing the enormity of his crime, Pollard's lack of remorse and the damage he caused U.S. security.
Friday's decision was a blow to Israel and American Jewish groups, which had campaigned for his release from a life sentence. B'nai B'rith, the world's largest Jewish organization, urged Clinton to reconsider, saying his decision was contrary to his record on humanitarian issues.
A one-time Navy analyst, Pollard was arrested outside the Israeli embassy in Washington in 1985 and convicted of espionage in 1986. He admitted selling Israel military intelligence documents, including satellite photographs and information on Arab military systems.
After Clinton's decision was announced, Pollard's wife, Esther, declared in Israel that she would stage a hunger strike ``until death'' for his release. She accused Israel's new prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, of failing to fight hard enough for her husband's freedom.
``His situation is very serious. He has no energy left. How long can one hold on after 11 years of empty promises?'' she told a TV interviewer.
Pollard was granted Israeli citizenship this year in hopes that would improve chances for his release.
Acknowledging that Israeli leaders have raised Pollard's case frequently at the White House, presidential spokesman Mike McCurry said he did not know whether Netanyahu brought up the case when he met Clinton this month in Washington.
McCurry said Clinton's decision was not affected by his support for Netanyahu's opponent in the prime minister's election campaign, Shimon Peres.
Clinton made the ruling ``regardless of any internal political dynamic in Israel because it's based on the law'' and other issues, such as the unanimous recommendations of Attorney General Janet Reno, national security agencies and law enforcement officials, McCurry said.
It was the third time since 1993 that Pollard's request for a presidential commutation was denied.
Pollard, held at the Federal Correctional Institution in Butner, N.C., became eligible to apply for parole in 1995 but has withdrawn his application to see how his clemency appeal was received, the Justice Department said. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Pollard by CNB