By ALFONSO CHARDY

When he was arrested on July 22, 1983, Cuban exile Eduardo Arocena was described by federal authorities as America's most dangerous anti-Castro terrorist.

But at a news conference in Little Havana Tuesday, Arocena's family and friends described the former New Jersey dockworker as an ailing Cuban patriot deserving of a presidential pardon.

Twenty five years after a federal judge sentenced the Omega 7 leader to life in prison plus 35 years for allegedly murdering a Cuban diplomat and planting multiple bombs in Miami and New York, the Arocena case is again in the headlines.

His wife and supporters are seeking presidential clemency for Arocena, who was in his 40s when sentenced.

''For me and my children, this is a humanitarian matter,'' said his wife, Miriam. "Eduardo already is 65 years old and 25 years without my loved one has been very painful.''

Then she added that her husband, currently imprisoned in Terre Haute, Ind., is suffering from high blood pressure and diabetes.

Blair Jones, a White House spokesman declined comment and referred the call to the Department of Justice.

Erik Ablin, a Justice Department spokesman, also declined comment but in general discussed the process to review clemency applications.

Under these rules, a person who has been sentenced to life generally does not qualify for a presidential pardon because he must wait five years after completion of the sentence to apply for a pardon. Inmates sentenced to life can instead seek a commutation or reduction of sentence.

Miriam Arocena told The Miami Herald after the news conference that her husband has filed a clemency application and that she will be satisfied with a commutation or reduction of sentence.

''The important thing is that he be released,'' she said. "Even if he has to be in the house under house arrest, the important thing is that he be with his family.''

Miriam Arocena and supporters said the current campaign to gather signatures for the Arocena pardon petition is an effort to garner publicity and make president Bush aware of exile community interest in the case.