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DATE=9/7/1999 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT TITLE=PUERTO RICANS - CLEMENCY (L-ONLY) NUMBER=2-253577 BYLINE=MICHAEL LELAND DATELINE=CHICAGO CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: A dozen jailed Puerto Rican nationalists have accepted U-S president Bill Clinton's offer of clemency, while two have rejected the offer. A total of 16 nationalists have been in prison since the early 1980's, when they were convicted of seditious conspiracy in connection with the activities of a Puerto Rican pro-independence organization. VOA's Michael Leland has more. Text: The 16 prisoners were all members of the Armed Forces of National Liberation, which is better known by its Spanish initials F-A-L-N. The group carried out more than 130 bombing attacks in the United States in the 1970's and 80's, in its effort to win independence for Puerto Rico. Twenty-eight of the bombings took place in Chicago; many were also committed in New York. None of the 16 was convicted in cases involving death or injury, but they were convicted of seditious conspiracy. Some were also found guilty of interfering with interstate commerce by threats or violence. On August 11th, President Clinton offered the 16 clemency if they renounced the use of violence. They are also barred from associating with anyone who has a criminal record, must accept travel restrictions and may not take part in political movements advocating Puerto Rican independence. Only eleven of the nationalists would be freed under the offer. Two others were offered reduced prison terms and the remaining three would have their fines reduced. In Chicago Tuesday, the attorney for the Puerto Ricans, Jan Susler, said two of the 16 found the terms unacceptable and had rejected them. She says a long- running campaign for their release, which includes church, human rights and political leaders, will continue. // Susler Act // That campaign has vowed to continue its efforts until all of these men and women are free, on the streets, and without conditions. // End Act // The Clinton administration had given the nationalists until Friday to accept the offer, or it would be withdrawn. The administration's critics have been calling the clemency offer a strategy to help first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton win votes in the state of New York, which has a large Puerto Rican population. Mrs. Clinton is considering running for the U-S Senate in New York after the president leaves office. In recent days, Mrs. Clinton had urged the president to rescind the clemency offer. (Signed) NEB/MJL/TVM/PT 07-Sep-1999 19:08 PM LOC (07-Sep-1999 2308 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America .