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DATE=9/21/1999 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT TITLE=CONGRESS-PUERTO RICO CLEMENCY (L-ONLY) NUMBER=2-254147 BYLINE=DAVID SWAN DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: U-S law enforcement officials say the clemency granted to imprisoned Puerto Rican nationalists could bring new acts of terrorism. As V-O-A's David Swan reports, Congress is holding more hearings on President Clinton's controversial action. TEXT: The decision has touched off a heated political battle between the White House and Republicans, complete with another tug-of-war over evidence. Citing executive privilege, the White House refuses to hand over documents related to the case and has limited what officials can discuss. At a Senate hearing (Tuesday), Assistant F-B-I Director Neil Gallagher declined to say if clemency should have been offered. But he did say the move could reinvigorate the Armed Forces of National Liberation, or F-A-L-N, one of the main Puerto Rican nationalist groups. Mr. Gallagher warns that the group is still a threat to the United States, along with another militant organization called the Macheteros. // Gallagher act // So the real prospect of additional terrorism either directed or supported by the Macheteros or the F-A-L-N exists today. // End act // Most of the 16 people offered clemency belonged to the F-A-L-N when the group was waging a bombing campaign for Puerto Rican independence. The White House argues that none of them were convicted of specific acts of violence, and all served long prison terms. But congressional investigators say they have obtained old videotape that shows two of the 16 making bombs. And Republican Senator Judd Gregg says the president's clemency decision undermines the war on terrorism, domestically and abroad. // Gregg act // The granting of clemency in this area has really shredded our efforts to have a coherent, cohesive and tough policy against terrorists. And we've been set back significantly, I would suspect, in our capacity to, (number) one, pursue terrorists, but two, once we get them in prison, to keep them there. // End act // A number of world leaders, including former President Jimmy Carter and South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, petitioned for the release. The administration denies the move was meant to help First Lady Hillary Clinton's likely Senate campaign by currying favor with Hispanic voters in New York. (Signed) Neb/ds/JP 21-Sep-1999 13:09 PM EDT (21-Sep-1999 1709 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America .