WASHINGTON.(A)

Bush won't seek to annul pardons

handed down by his predecessor

President Bush said he was troubled by the pardon that his predecessor granted fugitive financier Marc Rich, but said he has decided not to attempt to revoke it. "He was the president, he had the right to do so, to make that decision, and he did. And I'm going to protect that privilege not only for me, but for future presidents as well," Bush said. A president's right to grant such

pardons is "inviolate, as far as I'm concerned," he said. Bush's lawyers had explored the possibility of revoking the pardon for Rich, who had influential ties to the Clinton White House.

Former …