(3/1/99)
NEW YORK (AP) -- In a new book, Unabomber Theodore Kaczynski says he could forgive his brother for turning him in on two conditions: that he leaves his wife and actively works against modern society.
``In this way, he would not only earn my personal forgiveness; what is more important, he would be cleansed and redeemed of his treason against the values that he once held in common with me and many other people,'' Kaczynski writes of his brother, David. The passage continues, ``Killing a lot of people would be a big plus.''
Excerpts of the book, ``Truth Versus Lies,'' were printed in The New York Times today. It is due to be published this spring.
Kaczynski, who was sentenced to life in prison last year without parole after pleading guilty to the Unabomber killings, says he could introduce his brother to environmental radicals, mostly members of the Sierra Club, who would accept him if he repented.
The theme of the book, containing Kaczynski's first public comments since his 1996 arrest, is that he is not mentally ill, contrary to what his lawyers claimed. His family agreed to that defense, he says, in order to avert a trial that could potentially bring out embarrassing family secrets -- including that he was abused.
Anthony Bisceglie, a lawyer for David Kaczynski and their mother, Wanda, says investigators looked closely at that allegation and concluded that Theodore was not abused.
``This is symptomatic of Ted's illness,'' he said, ``The scars mean nothing.''
Kaczynski does not acknowledge in the book that he is the Unabomber, whose anti-technology bombing campaign killed three people and injured at least 22 others between 1978 and Kaczynski's arrest.
The Unabomber was a prolific writer during his crime spree. A manifesto of his ideas was published after he swore to halt the bombings.
In the 548-page manuscript, Kaczynski angrily discusses acquaintances, neighbors, the news media and teachers, The Times said. He calls a promiscuous woman he knew a ``damned animal,'' and he recalls his mother as a ``fat pig, oink!''
David Kaczynski realized his brother might be the Unabomber after seeing similarities between his brother's writings and the Unabomber's manifesto. Bisceglie has said the family went through ``a great deal of anguish'' over the decision to report Theodore Kaczynski. In particular, David recounts that the reward money caused him a great deal of pain.
``Long live the new flesh!'' shouted Kaczynski.