And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: Ms. Mitterrand says give American Indian freedom http://abcnews.go.com/wire/US/Reuters19990430_1606.html IRE:April 30, 2:04 p.m. ET Ms. Mitterrand says give American Indian freedom LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (Reuters) - In a bid to win the release of long-imprisoned American Indian leader Leonard Peltier, former first lady of France Danielle Mitterrand met with Peltier Friday at the U.S. penitentiary in Leavenworth. Mitterrand, who is president of the French human rights organization France Libertes, hopes to focus attention on Peltier's plight, which her group has described as a ``black mark against the United States.'' ``Our foundation is very concerned about human rights and we think that he is innocent,'' Mitterrand aide Astrid Sobreiro told Reuters on Friday. Peltier, who is serving two life sentences, has spent the last 23 years in prison after being convicted in the deaths of two FBI agents during a shootout at the Pine Ridge, S.D., reservation June 26, 1975. Evidence presented by the government at trial has been called into question by various human rights watchers who claim Peltier is a victim of fabricated evidence and prejudicial prosecution. Mitterrand is working with Amnesty International and other individuals and organizations around the world in asking the Clinton Administration to grant clemency to the 54-year-old Peltier, a former leader in the American Indian Movement of the 1970s. Mitterrand's delegation from France met with U.S. Department of Justice officials Thursday seeking Peltier's release. Requests to meet with Attorney General Janet Reno and First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton were denied, according to Sobreiro. Mitterrand's organization, which has investigated human rights violations in Mexico, Turkey, and other countries, has stated that blatant ``government misconduct'' led to the unjust prosecution of the American Indian leader. Peltier's plight has recently attracted the attention of Britain's Queen Elizabeth, according to prison officials, and in February, the European Parliament approved a resolution calling for Peltier to be freed. Copyright 1999 Reuters News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Reprinted under the fair use http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html doctrine of international copyright law. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit) Unenh onhwa' Awayaton http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
