Cardinal Law Asks Bush to Commute Jonathan Pollard's Sentence

CARDINAL'S RESIDENCE


2101 COMMONWEALTH AVENUE
BRIGHTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02135

May 5, 1992

George Bush
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President:

A few months ago, the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem, Abraham Shapira, came to visit me. This was an important meeting for both of us in our mutual commitment to deepen relations between our two faiths.

One of the issues that concerns the Rabbi is the incarceration of Jonathan Pollard. The Chief Rabbi did not base his concern on the merits of the case, but rather in pursuit of mercy. Since that time, I have heard from a number of people in both the Jewish and Catholic communities expressing their desire that clemency be granted to Mr. Pollard.

After reflecting on this issue, I write to you to ask if consideration could be given to extending clemency to Mr. Pollard as a humanitarian gesture. Such an act would not call in question the judgment rendered by the court. Nor would it be in response to any charges that some have been making. Rather I am thinking of a humanitarian gesture of the President of the United States which then would allow Mr. Pollard to pick up his life again either here or in Israel.

Mr. President, I know you understand the spirit that motivates this request, a spirit that rests on the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation. In that spirit, I thank you for any consideration you might give to me thoughts.

With warm personal regards to you and Barbara, and asking God to bless you, I am

Sincerely yours in Christ,

(signed)
Bernard Francis Law
Archbishop of Boston