1.   Afterward, Berlusconi rejected the notion of a general pardon.

2.   Draft dodgers abroad clearly consider a return home too dangerous until the general pardon is passed.

3.   Some legal experts argue that an amnesty would help unclog the backlog of court cases and be more effective than a general pardon.

4.   The center-right opposition, led by Silvio Berlusconi, the media baron, has rejected suggestions that Parliament approve a general pardon to ease prison conditions.

5.   Usually, a general pardon would release prisoners who have less than three years remaining on their sentences.

6.   He was jailed but released three years ago under a general presidential pardon.

7.   It was unclear whether the general pardon would affect any figures of similar stature.

8.   South Korean President Kim Young-Sam on Saturday signed a general pardon bill amnestying a massive seven million people convicted of minor and petty offences, officials said.