Navajo President Peterson Zah says he'll support early release for imprisoned longtime political rival Peter MacDonald.
Zah paid an unannounced visit to the former tribal chairman recently at a federal prison in Pennsylvania but was criticized by a MacDonald supporter who suggested Zah was merely trying to curry favor with MacDonald's many followers during a heated election campaign.Zah told reporters he would write to authorities urging parole for MacDonald when he becomes eligible in 1997.
"I would support any kind of parole hearing," Zah said.
Asked about his motive for the visit, Zah responded: "People can say whatever they want to say."
MacDonald has been sentenced to a total of 14 years on federal and tribal charges stemming from corruption cases that drove him from office in 1989.
Vern Lee, who heads a move for tribal and federal pardons for MacDonald and others, suggested Zah was motivated by politics.
"I just hope that he's acting out of his compassionate heart and love for the Navajo people," said Lee, of Farmington, N.M. "I hope it is a move to protect the sovereignty of the Navajo Nation. I just hope he's not doing it for political reasons."
Similarly, MacDonald's daughter on Wednesday questioned Zah's motives.
"I think the visit is highly suspect," said Hope MacDonald, 27, of Tuba City. "We have been trying to work with him, but there's been no sign of a response. Then he just shows up on my dad's doorsteps over there."
"He offers no plan of return for my dad. He just says he's curious and is in a hurry to leave. It makes me suspicious," she added.
MacDonald's wife, Wanda, said her husband "is a statesman" and was courteous to Zah.
"Mr. Zah was in a hurry so they didn't get into anything serious," Wanda said.
"It would be a shame for any highly elected Navajo official to use Mr. MacDonald's situation politically. I hope Mr. Zah's motives are genuine. I hope his motives are compassion and love for his people and fellow Navajos," she said.
Zah said MacDonald's brother and sister had written him seeking help in getting the ousted chairman freed.
"I wanted to see with my own eyes and hear with my own ears the condition Mr. MacDonald is living in," Zah said.
Romero Brown, a Window Rock businessman who visited MacDonald recently, said the former chairman was "very upset" over Zah's visit.
But Zah said MacDonald welcomed him when he visited the prison in Bradford, Pa., accompanied by David Clark, the founder of the Navajo Native American Church and longtime friend of MacDonald's.
"He hugged us and greeted us and told us he was happy to see both of us there," Zah said. "He lost some weight. He's a little bit on the thin side."
Clark said he felt honored to to be chosen by Zah to accompany him on the visit.
"I thanked God this is happening," Clark said. "This could be the beginning of healing the wounds that took place. Perhaps this is a good time for it."
Zah said MacDonald suffers from diabetes and arthritis and doesn't get adequate treatment because there aren't enough prisoners with those ailments to warrant a specialist. Zah said he would ask prison officials how MacDonald can receive the care he needs.
MacDonald's status was recently upgraded and he was informed that he would be eligible for parole in 1997, Zah and Wanda MacDonald said separately.
In a related matter, the Navajo Nation Council has rejected a proposal to give the president the power to grant pardons to elected tribal officials convicted in tribal courts. The measure, which didn't specifically name MacDonald, was defeated 49-13.