U.S. Appeals to Putin to release Edmond Pope

"We believe that Pope’s conviction was unjustifiable andwrong," Berger told reporters at the White House. "We have said to the Russians at every level, from the President on down … that we believe he should be released on humanitarian grounds, if nothing else."

Pope, 54, was convicted on Wednesday of stealing Russiandefense secrets and sentenced to the maximum 20 years in prison.

Washington increasingly fears for Pope’s health because hesuffers from a rare cancer, from which he is in remission.

"It is my understanding that the pardons Commission ofRussia will meet tomorrow and make a recommendation. Ultimately, the decision will be made by President Putin, and we certainly would hope that he would exercise that authority," Berger said.

The head of Russia’s presidential pardons Commission,Anatoly Pristavkin, said earlier on Thursday that the advisory body supported the release of the American businessman.

Berger dismissed suggestions that Washington might exchangePope for a Russian held by the United States. "That’s not even under discussion," he said.

Pope’s conviction has cast a pall over U.S.-Russian ties,already strained over arms control. President Bill Clinton is under political pressure from Congress to secure Pope’s immediate release or retaliate against Moscow.