Puerto Rico
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PUERTO RICO ARCHIVES I (JUNE 00 - OCT. 00)
PUERTO RICO ARCHIVES II (DEC. '99 - MAY 00)
Viequenses Apoyan Gestión de Sila Ante Amenazas Militares, CPRDV ~ 17 de diciembre
Viequenses Support Sila's Stand Against Navy Threats, CRDV ~ December 17
Letter to Hillary Clinton, Dámaso Serrano López ~ December 20
US Resumes Exercises in Puerto Rico, New York Times ~ Dec. 10
Public Call For Immediate Action on Vieques, Vieques Libre ~ Dec. 8
CPRDV Denounció el Reinicio de Bombardo, Vieques Libre ~ 6 de diciembre
CPRDV Denounces Resumption of Bombing, Vieques Libre ~ Dec. 6
Zenón Cree Que Gore Le Conviene Más A Su Pueblo, Leonor Mulero, El Nuevo Día ~ 9 de Diciembre de 2000
Con La Salud de Nuestros Hijos No Se Juega, Vieques Libre ~ 8 de Diciembre
Don´t Play with the Health of our Children, Vieques Libre ~ Dec. 8
Organizadores de Okinawa y Puerto Rico Comparten Estrategias En La Conferencia Japonesa Por La Paz, CPRDV ~ 8 de Diciembre
Organizers From Okinawa and Puerto Rico Share Strategies At The Japan Peace Conference, Vieques Libre ~ Dec. 8
Viequenses Rechazan Negociación Con Fiscalía, Vieques Libre ~ 7 de Diciembre
Viequense Civil Disobedients Reject Offer to Drop Cases, Vieques Libre ~ Dec. 7
Tribunal Internacional Condena Marina por Violaciones de los Derechos Humanos/International Tribunal Condemns Navy Violations of Human Rights, R. Rabin ~ 4 de diciembre
Vieques Main Topic at International Conference on Military Contamination, By Nilda Medina ~ Nov. 15
Letter From Mayor Elect To Pres. Clinton, Dámaso Serrano López ~ November 10
Pro-Vieques Candidates Win Elections in Puerto Rico, Vieques Libre ~ Nov. 8
Update About the Statue of Liberty's Take Over, Vieques Libre ~ Nov. 6
12 Arrested at Statue of Liberty P.R. Flag Unfurling, Reuters Nov. 5
Viequense Veteran Travels To England To Denounce Use Of Uranium Weapons On Vieques, Vieques Libre ~ November 6
Veterano Viequense Viaja A Inglaterra Para Denunciar USO De Armas De Uranio En Vieques, Vieques Libre - 2 de noviembre
Fuerzas Militares-Policiacas Planifican Ataque Contra Campamento Justicia y Paz, Vieques Libre ~ 3 de Noviembre
Military And Police Forces Plan Attack Against Peace And Justice Camp, Free Vieques ~ November 3
PUERTO RICO ARCHIVES I (JUNE 00 - OCT. 00)
PUERTO RICO ARCHIVES II (DEC. '99 - MAY 00)
Cong. Dellums Le Exhorta a Clinton a que Emita Orden Ejecutiva Sobre Vieques
Cong. Dellums Asks President to Issue Executive Order to cease military activities Vieques
Comité Pro Rescate y Desarrollo de Vieques ~ jueves 21 de diciembre
El Honorable Ronald V. Dellums, quien fuera uno de los Miembros más influyentes y respetados en el Congreso de los Estados Unidos por casi tres décadas, le envió hoy una carta pública al Presidente Clinton exhortándole a que emita una Orden Ejecutiva ordenando la paralización immediata y permanente de toda actividad militar en Vieques. Dellums representó a varios distritos de California ante el Congreso de los Estados Unidos por veintisiete (27) años. Fue Presidente del "Congressional Black Caucus" y Miembro de alto rango del Comité de las Fuerzas Armadas y del Comité de Seguridad Nacional de la Cámara de Representantes, entre otros. Actualmente trabaja en la empresa privada y sigue activo en varias causas sociales.
En el 1980, Dellums presidió un panel congresional que estudió la situación de Vieques y recomendó la salida de la Marina de Vieques. En su misiva, Dellums le dice al Presidente Clinton: "Como alguien que estuvo envuelto profundamente en este asunto, le digo sin titubeo ni duda alguna que si usted no emite una Orden Ejecutiva ordenando el cese y desista inmediato y permanente de todo bombardeo y de todas las actividades militares en Vieques, la Marina no tendrá ningún incentivo en buscar un lugar alterno a Vieques y hará todo lo que esté en su poder por quedarse allí indefinidamente. La historia así lo demuestra."
Flavio Cumpiano, abogado y representante en Washington, DC del Comité Pro Rescate y Desarrollo de Vieques, dijo: "El llamado público del Congresista Dellums a favor de la orden ejecutiva es importantísimo y contundente. El Congresista Dellums ha sido uno de los Congresistas más respetados en la historia del Congreso de los Estados Unidos. A la vez, como Miembro del Comité de Fuerzas Armadas de la Cámara de Representantes Federal, presidió un panel que estudió a fondo la situación de Vieques y recomendó que la Marina se fuese de Vieques. En su carta a Clinton, el Congresista Dellums le explica, con conocimiento de causa, que si no emite una Orden Ejecutiva ordenando la paralización inmediata y permanente de toda actividad militar en Vieques, la Marina no tendrá incentivo alguno para buscar una alternativa a Vieques y seguirá obstinada en permanecer en la Isla Nena indefinidamente. Agradecemos profundamente la intervención del Congresista Dellums a favor de Vieques en este momento tan crítico, en donde le queda menos de un mes al Presidente Clinton en la Casa Blanca. Clinton no puede ignorar este reclamo."
(VER TEXTO DE LA CARTA ABAJO)
December 21, 2000
The Honorable William J. Clinton
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20500
Dear President Clinton:
I am writing to urge you to issue an Executive Order ordering the immediate and permanent cease and desist of all military activities in the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico. I served in the U.S. House of Representatives for twenty-seven years. Twenty years ago, as a Member of the House Armed Services Committee, I chaired a "Panel to Review the Status of Navy Training Activities on the Island of Vieques". After extensive hearings, the Panel concluded that insensitivity has been the hallmark of the U.S. Navy's approach towards Vieques and that the U.S. Navy should find an alternative site to Vieques. Unfortunately, since the Navy was allowed to remain in Vieques and continue to bomb the island while it supposedly looked for an alternative site, the U.S. Navy only increased its insensitivity towards the people of Vieques. Following the death of David Sanes Rodriguez in April 19, 1999 by a U.S. Navy bomb dropped in Vieques, the widespread movement to get the U.S. Navy out of Vieques galvanized, while the Navy's obstinacy to remain in Vieques continues.
In view of the stated will of the Puerto Rican people, and their many allies in the U.S. and elsewhere, that the U.S. Navy must leave Vieques without dropping any more bombs of any kind choosing to allow bombing to continue in Vieques and to issue Directives that leave the future of the Navy in Vieques in the hands of the next administration and Congress would be disastrous. Under a best case scenario, these Directives would allow the Navy to continue bombing Vieques for at least three more years. As I am sure you know, these Directives on Vieques were universally rejected by the people of Puerto Rico and have been rejected by the island's elected representatives.
President Clinton, many lives would have been saved if the recommendations of our Congressional Panel concerning Vieques had been heeded. As someone who was deeply involved in the issue, I tell you with no hesitancy or doubt that if you don't issue an Executive Order ordering the immediate and permanent cease and desist of all bombings and of all military activities in Vieques, the Navy will have no incentive to find an alternative site to Vieques and will do all within its power to remain there indefinitely. History has proven this. I urge you to do the right thing and lift this heavy burden on the close to 10,000 U.S. citizens of Vieques, who have suffered too much for too long. I join those who have strongly urged you to issue an Executive Order ordering the immediate and permanent cease and desist of all military activities in the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico, before you leave the White House.
Sincerely,
(signed in the original)
Ronald V. Dellums
cc:
The Honorable Sila M Calderón, Governor-elect of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Flavio Cumpiano, Esq., Committee for the Rescue and, Development of Vieques, Washington, DC Comité Pro Rescate y Desarrollo de Vieques Apartado 1424 Vieques, Puerto Rico 00765 Tel-fax (787) 741-0716 E mail: "mailto:bieke@coqui.net"
END
Viequenses Apoyan Gestión de Sila Ante Amenazas Militares
Comité Pro Rescate y Desarrollo de Vieques ~ 17 de diciembre
Portavoces del Comité Pro Rescate y Desarrollo de Vieques expresaron su respaldo a la gobernadora electa, Sila María Calderón, en su gestión a favor de la desmilitarización de la Isla Nena. Ismael Guadalupe, activista viequense, señaló que: "Sila ha demostrado una capacidad de enfrentarse con dignidad al chantaje de la Marina y queremos que ella sepa que nuestro comité y el pueblo viequense en general, le daremos el apoyo necesario para que pueda cumplir con su promesa de ayudarnos a sacar a la Marina de Vieques. Mientras tanto, aquí mantendremos la lucha activa con protestas, denuncias y las acciones de desobediencia civil necesarias en defensa de nuestro derecho de vivir en paz."
Por su parte, Robert Rabin, portavoz del CPRDV, expresó que las organizaciones comunitarias tienen grandes esperanzas de que Sila se mantendrá firme en contra del continuo uso militar de Vieques. "Esperamos que la Gobernadora mantenga un diálogo constante con nuestras organizaciones de base en Vieques, a través del Alcalde, Dámaso Serrano, o a través de una comisión especial, para cumplir con su promesa de no tomar determinaciones sobre Vieques sin consultar primero con nuestra gente," dijo Rabin. "Estamos muy pendientes a la remoción de la Fuerza de Choque y de unas declaraciones enérgicas por parte de Sila oponiéndose a los ejercicios de gran escala que la Marina quiere llevar a cabo aquí en los próximos meses," concluyó el representante del CPRDV. Rabin mencionó también que el CPRDV inicia esta semana una campaña de educación y organización en los distintos barrios de la Isla Municipio. El miércoles, 20 de diciembre en El barrio Santa María, se presentará el documental, Vieques: un pueblo forjando futuros, de la cineasta boricua, Johanna Bermúdez.
Contacto: Nilda Medina (787) 741-0716 Comité Pro Rescate y Desarrollo de Vieques, Apartado 1424 Vieques, Puerto 00765 Tel. (787) 741-0716 Fax 741-0358 Email: bieke@coqui.net
END
Viequenses Support Sila's Stand Against Navy Threats
Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques ~ December 17
Spokesmen for the Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques (CRDV) expressed support for governor-elect, Sila María Calderón, in her efforts in favor of demilitarization of the island municipality. Ismael Guadalupe, Viequense activist, said that "Sila has demonstrated the capacity to confront with dignity, the "blackmailing" tactics and pressures by the Navy and we want her to know our committee and the people of Vieques in general, offer the support necessary so she can keep her promise of helping us get the Navy out of Vieques. Meanwhile, we will maintain an active struggle here with protest and civil disobedience actions when necessary to defend our right to live in peace."
Robert Rabin, another spokesman for the CRDV, expressed that the community organizations have great hope that Sila will stay firm in her position against the continued military use of Vieques. "We hope the Governor-elect will maintain a constant dialogue with our organizations here, through Mayor-elect, Dámaso Serrano or through a special commission, to fullfil her promise that she will not make any decisions about Vieques without first consulting our people," Rabin said. "We anxiously await the removal of the Riot Police and hope Sila will energetically denounce Navy plans to carry out large scale maneuvers here in the coming months," concluded the representative of the CRDV. Rabin also mentioned that the Vieques committee begins this week an educational and organizational campaign in the different barrios of the island municipality. On Wednesday, December 20th, the Committee will present the video documentary, Vieques: a People Forging Futures, by Puerto Rican film maker, Johanna Bermudez.
Contact: Nilda Medina (787) 741-0716 Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques P.O. Box 1424 Vieques, Puerto Rico 00765 Tel. (787) 741-0716 Email: bieke@coqui.net
END
Dámaso Serrano López ~ December 20
Dámaso Serrano López, Mayor-elect
Municipality of Vieques
P.O. Box 312
Vieques, Puerto Rico 00765
December 20, 2000
The Honorable Hillary Rodham Clinton, First Lady
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mrs. Clinton:
My name is Dámaso Serrano López and I am the Mayor-elect of Vieques, Puerto Rico. I won the election with 63.8% of the votes, for a four-year term as Mayor of Vieques. My campaign focused on achieving the immediate and permanent cease and desist of all military activities in Vieques, which is the primary goal and demand of our people. That goal is the same goal as the other elected representatives of Puerto Rico, including Governor-elect Sila Calderón.
As you are very much aware, the demand that President Clinton issue an Executive Order ordering the U.S. Navy out of Vieques, without dropping one more bomb of any kind, has been the popular will of the people of Puerto Rico in general, of Vieques in particular, and of millions of Puerto Ricans and others in the U.S. and elsewhere.
During your campaign for a Senate seat representing New York, you publicly spoke in favor of getting the U. S. Navy out of Vieques, without any more bombs being dropped. Millions of Puerto Ricans were encouraged by your promises and have been counting on you to keep them.
Aside from your promises to intercede on behalf of Vieques, President Clinton also made an encouraging statement, on Election Day, during a radio interview with reporter Amy Goodman. President Clinton urged the American people to vote for you and for the Gore Lieberman ticket. In so doing, he told the American public the following:
"Now, the Republicans in Congress broke the agreement, and instead of giving the Western part of the island to Puerto Rico, gave it to the Interior Department to manage. If I can't find a way to give that island, the western part of the island back to the people of Puerto Rico, and to honor the agreement that the government of Puerto Rico itself made with the support of the local leaders, including the mayor of Vieques, then the people of Puerto Rico I think have a right to say the Federal Government broke its word, and the training has to stop right now."
Well, Ms. Clinton, President Clinton has not been able to give the western part of the island to the people of Puerto Rico. In fact, the Secretary of the Navy, along with several Republican Members of Congress, have threatened not to comply with any transfer of the land if we maintain our position that bombing must stop. In short, it is clear that if President Clinton does not issue the Executive Order we are demanding, the U.S. Navy will continue to bomb our island indefinitely. That would be a travesty and we are calling on you to do all within your power so that President Clinton issues that Executive Order.
The sizable Puerto Rican community in New York was very much encouraged by your promises to help accomplish this goal. I am asking you to keep that promise and to impress upon President Clinton that he cannot allow the bombing in Vieques to continue; that he cannot let our people fend for ourselves once again before a Republican Congress, and before a Republican White House.
As I write to you, and we both prepare for the Holidays, the U.S. Navy is bombing Vieques. As we prepare to celebrate with our families and friends in Vieques, the sound of bombs frightens our children, increases our anxiety, and our feeling that we have been betrayed by people who promised to intercede on our behalf. I am calling on you to heed the will of our people and our elected representatives and do all within your power so that President Clinton issues an Executive Order ordering the immediate and permanent cease and desist of all military activities in Vieques.
Millions in Puerto Rico, in New York, and elsewhere are counting on you to do the right thing now, before you leave the White House on January 20. You can reach me in Vieques, or Flavio Cumpiano in Washington, DC, in order to set up a conference call with you and if we can provide you with whatever information or assistance we can give, or answer whichever questions you may have, in order to resolve this critical situation and accomplish this essential demand.
Sincerely,
Dámaso Serrano López
END
US Resumes Exercises in Puerto Rico
New York Times ~ Dec. 10
U.S. Navy destroyers began shelling a target range on the Puerto Rican island of Vieques Wednesday, resuming military exercises over the objections of activists, including one woman who yelled ``Go home!'' The USS Roosevelt and the USS Stout fired non-explosive, five-inch shells at the U.S. Caribbean island, and four more destroyers were due to arrive during the four-day exercise, said Lt. Jeff Gordon, a Navy spokesman. Most of the ships are preparing for deployments in the Mediterranean and Persian Gulf. As the Navy began the first such exercises in more than a month, three protesters faced a line of police officers at the entrance to the training ground, fenced off with barbed wire and patrolled by troops since demonstrations began last year. ``We don't want you here!'' one woman shouted at soldiers behind the fence. ``Go home!''
Vieques is the focus of a dispute between Puerto Rico and the United States that began in April 1999, when a U.S. Marine Corps jet dropped two 500-pound bombs off target and killed a civilian security guard working on the target range. Protesters camped out on the range for the next year, thwarting further exercises until they were forcibly cleared out by U.S. Marshals in May. The Navy calls Vieques its most important training ground and says it is vital to the national defense. Anti-Navy activists say the bombing has damaged the environment, stunted economic growth and endangered residents -- charges the Navy has denied.
The exercise comes as the White House works to shore up an agreement -- signed with the Puerto Rican government after the accident -- that could force the Navy out of Vieques, which has 9,400 residents. On Tuesday, President Clinton's main adviser on Vieques, Jeffrey Farrow, said that the White House is preparing legislation that would transfer an additional 3,000 acres of land, part of an abandoned weapons depot, to the Puerto Rican government. Clinton has said the transfer is needed as a sign of good will toward Vieques' residents. The main agreement calls for a referendum among Vieques residents on whether the Navy should leave. If the Navy loses the vote, Clinton has promised that it will close the training ground by May 2003.
END
Public Call For Immediate Action on Vieques
Vieques Libre ~ Dec. 8
(Lideres viequenses hacen un llamado urgente a los politicos, lideres laborales, religiosos y otros en los Estados Unidos que han prometido interceder con la Casa Blanca a favor de Vieques, a que el momento de actuar y cumplir sus promesas es AHORA, mientras Bill Clinton es Presidente y Hillary Clinton es Primera Dama).
The movement to achieve peace in Vieques has garnered wide national and international support. This movement has existed for decades, but gained widespread consensus following the death of David Sanes Rodriguez, who was killed by a U.S. Navy bomb in Vieques on April 19, 1999. At this moment we face a critical juncture: The victory of George W. Bush as President of the United States, and Dick Cheney as Vice President, only promises to make things even more difficult for the movement to get the U.S. Navy to stop bombing and leave Vieques. That is why it is critical that, in the next few weeks left in President Clinton's presidency, he exercise his constitutional authority as Commander-in-Chief and issue an Executive Order ordering the immediate and permanent cease and desist of the bombing and of all military activities in Vieques.
The time is now. In order to achieve this, the people of Vieques are calling on all the politicians and leaders who have promised in the past to intervene and intercede with the White House to ACT NOW. The newly-elected representatives in Puerto Rico, including the new Governor, Resident Commissioner, and Mayor of Vieques, as well as the Presidents of the three political parties in the island and civic and religious leaders, have recently called on President Clinton to issue that Executive Order. However, we are asking the Democratic politicians, labor and religious leaders and others, in the United States, to keep the promises they made to the people of Vieques. We are asking them to act now and, through a meeting or conference call with the President and the First Lady, or through whatever means and channels they have, demand now that President Clinton issue that Executive Order in the coming weeks.
Waiting to act on their promises until we have a Republican White House won't do much good. We are demanding that they act now, that they call on the First Lady of the United States to do all she can now to get the bombing in Vieques to permanently stop, and that they call on President Clinton to issue that Executive Order. We are calling on these influential Democratic councilmembers, labor leaders and religious leaders, including people like Dennis Rivera and the Rev. Jesse Jackson, to use their influence and their power to act NOW, under the Clinton White House. We are confident that they will not let our people down.
Robert Rabin Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques, Vieques, Puerto Rico
Carlos Zenon President Fishermens' Association of Vieques Vieques, Puerto Rico
(More signatures from representatives of other Vieques organizations are being gathered)
END
CPRDV Denounció el Reinicio de Bombardo
Vieques Libre ~ 6 de diciembre
Comité Pro Rescate y Desarrollo de Vieques, Apartado 1424 Vieques, Puerto Rico 00765 (787) 741-0716 Fax (787) 741-0358 Email: bieke@coqui.net
Communicado de Prensa
El Comité Pro Rescate y Desarrollo de Vieques (CPRDV) denounció el reinicio de bombardo ayer (miércoles) por parte de la Marina de Guerra de los Estados Unidos. Residentes de la Isla Nena se quejaron temprano en el día por los ruidos y las vibraciones que sintieron en sus hogares. Los viequenses comenzaron a observar varios buques militares en el horizonte desde el martes. La marina no hizo el anuncio de las maniobras, que por ley le corresponde hacer con 15 días de anticipación.
No fue hasta el martes por la tarde que los militares colocaron en el correo la "notificación a pescadores y a toda otra persona que navegue en las aguas costaneras de Vieques", que indica el calendario de bombardeo y otros ejercicios y las zonas y horario de las restricciones impuestas. Según la notificación, las prácticas, representan "un peligro para personas, equipo de pesca y/o embarcaciones", se extenderán hasta el nueve de diciembre y se realizarán desde temprano en la mañana hasta tarde en la noche.
Los viequenses expresaron su preocupación que al igual que en las pasadas maniobras, la Marina utilice bombas vivas. Veteranos viequenses (de Vietnam y de Korea) que participaron en una acción de desobediencia civil durante maniobras del OTAN en octubre de este año, afirmaron que la Marina practicó con bombas vivas en esa ocasión. "Sesenta años de atropellos y mentiras de la Marina no nos permiten confiar en los militares," señaló Robert Rabin, del CPRDV. "El pueblo de Vieques y todos los sectores de la población puertorriqueña se han manifestado su apoyo al fin inmediato y permanente de todo tipo de actividad militar aquí, con bombas vivas o no vivas," señaló Rabin.
Varios pescadores indicaron que se lanzarán al mar en busqueda de su sustento y que desafiarán los buques de la marina. Carlos Zenón, veterano activista de la lucha viequense, informó que varios pescadores entraron en la zona de maniobras durante ejercicios ayer, obligando a los buques a detener momentáneamente sus cañonazos. El bombardeo se reinicia en la misma semana en que oficiales de la Marina gestionan un intercambio estudiantil entre escuelas de Vieques y la escuela de la base naval de Roosevelt Roads, en Ceiba. En días recientes, militares se han reunido con el Superintendente de Escuelas de Vieques, Luis Bonano Casillas. También esta semana oficiales de la Marina junto a la Presidenta del Partido Nuevo Progresista en Vieques y candidata para la alcaldía en las recientes eleccciones, Juan Rivera Guishard, entregaron cinco pianos a las escuelas de la isla municipio.
Portavoces del CPRDV denunciaron como hipócrita y engañosa la "ayuda" a las escuelas, y parte del proyecto de relaciones pùblicas de la Marina para ganar la simpatìa del pueblo. "Un día están repartiendo pianos y el otro nos tiran con bombas. Ya estamos hartos de este lobo con disfraz de caridad. Denunciamos la posición del Gobernador Pedro Roselló y de la Alcaldesa de Vieques, Manuela Santiago, de aprobar el continuo uso de Vieques para los ejercicios de la Marina," señaló Nilda Medina, del Campamento Justicia y Paz.
Contactos: Nilda Medina (787) 741-0716
END
CPRDV Denounces Resumption of Bombing
Vieques Libre ~ Dec. 6
Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques, P.O. Box 1424 Vieques, Puerto Rico 00765 Tel. (787) 741-0716 Fax 741-0358 Email: bieke@coqui.net
The Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques (CPRDV) denounced the resumption of bombing yesterday (Wednesday) by the US Navy. Residents of Vieques complained early in the day of loud noises and vibrations felt in their homes. Navy ships were seen off the coast of Vieques beginning on Tuesday. The Navy did not announce these exercises fifteen days in advance, as stipulated in the 1983 Memo of Understanding between the PR Government and the Navy. Not until Tuesday afternoon did military officials place in the local Post Office the "Notification to fishermen and all other persons navigating in Vieques coastal waters," indicating the calendar of operations and the related imposed restrictions. According to the notification, the Navy practices present "a danger for people, fishing equipment and/or boats", and will extend through the ninth of December beginning early in the mornings until late at night.
The Viequenses expressed their concern that as during the past maneuvers, the Navy will use live bombs. Vieques veterans (from Vietnam and Korea) who participated in civil disobedience actions during NATO exercises in October, confirmed the use of live bombs on that occasion. "Sixty years of abuse and lies from the Navy make it impossible to believe in the military here," said Robert Rabin, of the CPRDV. "The people of Vieques and all sectors of Puerto Rican society have manifested their support for the immediate and permanent end of all military activity here, with live bombs or not live bombs," expressed Rabin. Several fishermen indicated they will go into the fishing areas to work and if necessary defy the Navy ships.
Carlos Zenón, veteran activist in the struggle against the Navy here, was informed yesterday that several fishermen entered the restricted zone during maneuvers, forcing the Navy ships to momentarily stop firing their canons. The bombing began again here during the same week that Navy officials attempt to coordinate a student interchange between Vieques and the school at the Roosevelt Roads Naval Station in the town of Ceiba. Recently, military official met with the Superintendent of Schools, Luis Bonano Casillas. Also this week, Navy officers together with the President of the New Progressive Party and mayoral candidate in recent elections, Juana Rivera Guishard, donated pianos for five schools here.
Spokespeople for the CPRDV denounced these 'donations' as hypocritical and dishonest, part of the Navy's public relations plan to try to improve their image among the community. "One day they are handing out pianos and the next day they bomb us. We are sick and tired of this 'wolf in sheep's clothing'. We denounce the position of Governor Pedro Roselló and Vieques Mayor, Manuela Santiago, in support of the continued use of Vieques for Navy exercises," stated Nilda Medina, spokeswoman for the Vieques Peace and Justice Camp.
Contact: Nilda Medina (787) 741-0716
END
Zenón Cree Que Gore Le Conviene Más A Su Pueblo
Leonor Mulero, El Nuevo Día ~ 9 de Diciembre
La Administración del republicano George W. Bush sería más negativa para la lucha de Vieques que la del demócrata Al Gore, dijo ayer el líder de los pescadores viequenses, Carlos Zenón.
Explicó que como vicepresidente, Gore ha estado cerca del tema de Vieques. "Bush nos preocupa mucho por su posición fuerte como gobernador de Texas. Tiene consigo a (Dick) Cheney, quien prácticamente es un marino", dijo Zenón sobre quien sería el vicepresidente bajo Bush.
"A Bush se le está pidiendo que nombre a Tillie Fowler. Con esos truenos no hay quien duerma", añadió.
Fowler es la saliente congresista republicana por Florida que abogó tenazmente por condicionar a la reanudación de los bombardeos con municiones vivas los beneficios económicos para Vieques.
Ante la posible victoria de Bush, opositores de la Marina pidieron a los líderes con influencia que han favorecido el cese de los bom bardeos que presionen para que el presidente Bill Clinton emita una Orden Ejecutiva que los detenga antes de dejar la Casa Blanca.
TRAS LAS elecciones del 7 de noviembre, ciertos líderes están "tibios", se quejó Zenón. Mencionó al Partido Independentista Puertorriqueño y a su presidente Rubén Berríos; al reverendo Jesse Jackson y al líder sindical Dennis Rivera."
El Partido Independentista se ha enfriado. Me imagino que Rubén (Berríos) tenía unas altas expectativas. Le pasó la factura al pueblo de Vieques y no obtuvo lo que quería. Debe estar frustrado", apuntó Zenón.
Añadió que "hay gente que se ha puesto bastante tibia. Y, como en la religión, en esto hay que estar frío o caliente. Jesse Jackson y Dennis Rivera están bastantetibios Jackson estuvo en Vieques, dijo que hablaría con Clinton sobre Viequesy no hemos visto que haya visto a Clinton". Aunque la gobernadora electa Sila M. Calderon hizo un compromiso con Vieques, "no podemos poner todos los huevos en esa canasta", señaló Zenón.
Comentó que, curiosamente y contrario a los políticos típicos, Calderónparece estar más fuerte con el asunto de Vieques que antes de ser electa,aunque dejó espacio a la duda.
END
Con La Salud de Nuestros Hijos No Se Juega,
Vieques Libre ~ 8 de Diciembre
La Agencia de Sustancias Tóxicas y Registro de Enfermedades (o ATSDR, por sus siglas en inglés) está visitando a Vieques, realizando unas investigaciones sobre la salud y las sustancias tóxicas. Es una agencia federal que interviene en comunidades donde hay altos niveles de contaminación tóxica. Pero esta agencia tiene un historial nefasto en su trato con las comunidades afectadas.
Se escuda detrás de una fachada de "ciencia", pero la ATSDR no conduce estudios científicos. Sus procedimientos se limitan a entrevistar a algunas personas en la comunidad afectada, de pedirle al contaminador (en el caso de Vieques, la Marina de Guerra), o a otras agencias del gobierno, información sobre los tóxicos existentes en el ambiente, y luego concluir que no existe manera "científica" de comprobar que la contaminación sea la causa de los terribles problemas de salud.
Ya se sabe que esperar de esta agencia en Vieques. El Contraalmirante Kevin Green ya ha anunciado públicamente que la ATSDR va a exonerar la Marina de Guerra de ser la causa de cualquier problemas de salud que pueda afligir a la comunidad viequense.
La comunidad de Vieques ha escuchado el testimonio de personas que han sufrido en carne propia las maquinaciones y engaños de esta agencia federal, como fue el caso de los Ex-Residentes de Ciudad Cristiana. Varios expertos en salud y el ambiente narraron las historias de lasintervenciones del ATSDR en comunidades en Puerto Rico y los Estados Unidos y todos han brindado un testimonio idéntico: el ATSDR lleva a cabo estudios incompletos, manipulados y tergiversados y, en casi todos de los casos, ha exonerado al contaminador de ser el causante de los estragos de salud en la comunidad.
Varios médicos de Vieques solicitaron al ATSDR que ayuden con los recursos económicos para que los profesionales de salud de Vieques pueden llevar a cabo los estudios médicos y los análisis de laboratorios necesarios para hacer los diagnósticos y proveer tratamiento a los viequenses expuestos a las sustancias tóxicas de la Marina. Pero el ATSDR no proveen recursospara estos tipos de estudios ni hacen exámenes médicos en los residentes, lo cual resulta en una preocupación seria de como se va a utilizar y manipular los datos de salud disponibles.
Se suena una voz de alerta y la más enérgica protesta de individuos y organizaciones comunitarias y profesionales de Vieques y de Puerto Rico en contra de las mentiras y engaños planeados por el ATSDR contra los viequenses. Nuestra lucha es de verdad, por la paz y por la salud de estay todas las generaciones futuras de viequenses.
¡FUERA EL ATSDR DE VIEQUES!
Contactos: Nilda Medina, Comité Pro Rescate y Desarrollo de Vieques741-0716 Dra. Dulce María Albandoz, Médico de Vieques 741-2288Lisandro Rivera, Colectivo Cayo La Yayi Dr. Jorge Colón, Grupo de ApoyoTécnico Para el Desarrollo Sostenible de Vieques 640-7694 Sarah Peisch, Centro de Acción Ambiental 250-8551
Comité Pro Rescate y Desarrollo de Vieques Apartado 1424 Vieques, Puerto 00765Tel. (787) 741-0716 Fax 741-0358 Email: bieke@coqui.net
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Don´t Play with the Health of our Children
Vieques Libre ~ Dec. 8
The Agency for Toxic Substances Disease Registry (ATSDR), is visiting Vieques to investigate about health and toxic substances. It is a federal agency that intervenes in communities with high levels of toxic contamination. But this agency has a long and negative history of bad relations with affected communities.
Hiding behind a façade of "science", the ATSDR does not conduct scientific studies. Its procedures are limited to interviewing a few people in the affected area, ask the contaminator (in this case, the US Navy), or other governmental agencies for information about toxics in the environment, andlater conclude that there is no "scientific" way to prove causal relationship between the contamination and terrible health problems.
We know what to expect from this agency in Vieques. Admiral Kevin Green has already announced publicly that ATSDR will exonerate the US Navy for any responsibility related to health problems suffered by the people of Vieques.
The Vieques community has heard testimony from people who have suffered from the machinations and trickery of this federal agency, like the case of the ex residents of Christian City in Humacao, Puerto Rico. Several experts in health and environment told about ATSDR intervention in PuertoRico and the United States and all gave identical testimony: ATSDR carries out incomplete studies, manipulates and twists information, and in almost all cases, has exonerated the contaminator of being the cause of the health crisis in the communities.
Several Vieques doctors asked ATSDR for economic help so health professionals on the island municipality could carry out medical studies and laboratory analisis necessary to diagnose and provide treatment to Viequenses exposed to the toxic substances of the US Navy. But ATSDR doesnot provide resources for this type of study nor does it do medical exams for residents, so it is not clear how the agency will use and/or manipulate the health data available.
Individuals, community organizations and professionals in Vieques and in Puerto Rico must sound the alert and energetically protest the lies and deceit planned by ATSDR against the people of Vieques. Our struggle for real, for peace and for the health of this and future generations ofViequenses.
ATSDR OUT OF VIEQUES!
Contacts: Nilda Medina, Comité Pro Rescate y Desarrollo de Vieques741-0716 Dra. Dulce María Albandoz, Médico de Vieques 741-2288Lisandro Rivera, Colectivo Cayo La Yayí Dr. Jorge Colón, Grupo de ApoyoTécnico Para el Desarrollo Sostenible de Vieques 640-7694 Sarah Peisch,Centro de Acción Ambiental 250-8551
Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques P.O. Box 1424 Vieques, Puerto Rico 00765Tel. (787) 741-0716 Fax 741-0358 Email: bieke@coqui.net
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Organizadores de Okinawa y Puerto Rico Comparten Estrategias En La Conferencia Japonesa Por La Paz
Comité Pro Rescate y Desarrollo de Vieques ~ 8 de Diciembre
Los compañeros Ismael Guadalupe, del Comité Pro Rescate y Desarrollo de Vieques y la compañera María I. Reinat Pumarejo de ilé: Institute for Latino Empowerment, fueron parte de una delegación internacional que se dió cita en Okinawa para celebrar la Conferencia Japonesa por la Paz del 28 al 4 de diciembre. Esta magna conferencia reunió a miles de organizadores antimilitaristas japoneses y una delegación internacional en la ciudad capital de Naha.
Los activistas puertorriqueños se unieron a sus homólogos okinawenses para compartir estrategias y estrechar aún más los lazos de solidaridad que se han establecido en visitas previas por otros compañeras puertorriqueñas. Muchas son las similitudes entre ambos países.
Como gestiones sobresalientes se hicieron notar: la visita de la delegación internacional a la oficina del vice alcalde de la ciudad de Nago, la cual confronta la amenaza de una nueva base militar (helipuerto) avalada por el gobierno local en contra de la voluntad del pueblo (según expresada en un referéndum en 1996); reuniones con varias organizaciones de base en contra del militarismo; entrevistas con varios medios noticiosos del japón y Okinawa; y participación especial en elsimposio internacional donde, no sólo se compartieron aspectos de la lucha en contra de la Marina en Vieques, sino que se escucharon informes de otros activistas sobre las situaciones particulares de las bases militares estadounidenses en el Japón, Korea del Sur, Italia y Estados Unidos.Muchas otras actividades fueron programadas para fomentar esfuerzos conjuntos entre Okinawa y Puerto Rico en contra de la imposición militar estadounidense.
El grupo hizo una declaración conjunta para ser divulgada mundialmente en la cual expresan que "la solución al problema de las bases ya es parte de una agenda internacional" y existe la voluntad de eliminar las bases en un esfuerzo conjunto entre las distintas naciones del planeta.
Contacto: Ismael Guadalupe 741-2304 María I. Reinat Pumarejo 732-5077, 649-6559 Comité Pro Rescate y Desarrollo de Vieques Aparatdo 1424 Vieques, Puerto Rico 00765Tel. (787 741-0716 Fax (787) 741-0358 E mail: bieke@coqui.net
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Organizers From Okinawa and Puerto Rico Share Strategies At The Japan Peace Conference
Ismael Guadalupe, from the Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques and Maria I. Reinat Pumarejo, from the Institute for Latino Empowerment, were part of an international delegation that met in Okinawa for the Japan Peace Conference from the 28th of November to the 4th of December. This magnum conference brought together thousands of Japanese antimilitary organizers and an international delegation to the capital city of Naha.
The Puerto Rican activists met with their Okinawan counterparts to share strategies and strengthen even more the bonds of solidarity established through previous visits by others from Puerto Rican. There are many similarities between the countries.
Among the outstanding events of the conference we mention the following: the visit by the international delegation to the vice Mayor of the city of Nago, that faces the threat of a new military base (a heliport) supported by the local government against the will of the people expressed in a 1996 referendum; meetings with several grass roots organizations fighting militarism; interviews with several news media from Japan and Okinawa; and special participation in the international symposium where not only were shared diverse aspects of the struggle against the U.S. Navy in Vieques, but also heard were activists about their particular situations of struggle against US military bases in Japan, Okinawa, South Korea, Italy and the United States. Many other activities were programmed to promote joint efforts between Okinawa and Puerto Rico against the imposed U.S. militarism.
The group issued a joint declaration to be transmitted world wide in which it expressed that "the solution to the problem of the bases is now part of an international agenda" and the will exists to eliminate these bases as a common effort amongst the different nations of this planet.
Contacts: Ismael Guadalupe 741-2304 María I. Reinat Pumarejo 732-5077, 649-6559 Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques P.O. Box 1424 Vieques, Puerto Rico 00765 Tel. (787) 741-0716 Fax. 741-0358 Email: bieke@coqui.net
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Viequenses Rechazan Negociación Con Fiscalía
Vieques Libre ~ 7 de Diciembre
Decenas de desobedientes civiles viequenses reunidos en el Campamento Justicia y Paz, rechazaron anoche una oferta de la fiscalía federal en Puerto Rico para archivar sus casos. Abogados para los viequenses arrestados por acciones de protesta en la zona restringida de la Marina de Guerra de EU en Vieques, informaron a sus clientes sobre una oferta para archivar los casos de los viequenses arrestados, mientras los desobedientes de la Isla Grande y del extranjero enfrentarían procesos judiciales con multas.
"Fiscalía y la Marina quieren separar a los viequenses de los demás puertorriqueños. Eso no lo vamos a permitir. No aceptaremos ningún trato especial y diferente que nos divide de los puertorriqueños de la Isla Grande. Vieques es Puerto Rico y Puerto Rico es Vieques." Así declaró Ismael Guadalupe, portavoz del Comité Pro Rescate y Desarrollo de Vieques, prinicipal organización comunitaria de la lucha por la desmilitarización de la Isla Grande.
Unánimamente, los viequenses reafirmaron su fuerte solidaridad con los desobedientes civiles de la Isla Grande que han hecho sacrificios en defensa de la causa de Vieques. Sin excepción, los arrestados de Vieques señalaron su rechazo a la oferta de salir absuelto sin que los de la islagrande recibieran el mismo trato.
"Cuando entramos a la zona restringida el 7 de agosto con las compañeras de la Isla Grande, entramos juntas. Cuando salimos de esto, saldremos todos por la misma puerta. No vamos a negociar ni con la Marina ni con el Tribunal Federal. Si quieren archivar los casos, que sean los casos de todos los puertorriqueños - los de la Isla Grande y los puertorriqueños que vivimos en Vieques," expresó Norma Torres, quien convocó la entrada de 31 mujeres de Vieques y de la Isla Grande pasado mes agosto.
Contacto: Robert Rabin, CPRDV 787 741-0716, Comité Pro Rescate y Desarrollo de Vieques Apartado 1424 Vieques, Puerto Rico 00765Tel. (787) 741-0716 Fax 741-0358 E mail: bieke@coqui.net
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Viequense Civil Disobedients Reject Offer to Drop Cases
Vieques Libre ~ Dec. 7
Dozens of civil disobedientes from Vieques meeting at the Peace and Justice Camp, rejected an offer from Federal Attorneys in Puerto Rico to drop their cases. Lawyers for the Viequenses arrested for protest actions in the US Navy`s restricted zone on Vieques, told their clients of an offer to file the cases of the Viequnenses arrested, while the civil disobedientes from the Main Island of Puerto Rico and from other countries would have to pass through judicial processes and pay fines.
"The Federal Court and the Navy want to separate the Viequenses from the rest of the Puerto Ricans. We will no allow that. We will not accept any special treatment that divides us from the Puerto Ricans on the Main Island. Vieques is Puerto Rico and Puerto Rico is Vieques." That was the declaration of Ismael Guadalupe, spokesman for the Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques, the prinicipal community organization in the struggle for demilitarization.
Unanimously, the Viequenses reaffirmed their strong sense of solidarity with the civil disobedients from the Main Island that have made great sacrifices in defense of the Vieques cause. Without exception, the Viequenses arrested rejected the offer to have their cases dropped withoutthe same treatment applied to those from the Main Island.
"When we entered the restricted zone on the 7th of August with the compañeras from the Main Island, we entered together. When we get out of this, we`ll all leave through the same door. We will not negotiate with the Federal Court or with the Navy. If they want to file the cases, let itbe the cases of all the Puerto Ricans - those who live on the Main Island and the Puerto Ricans who live on Vieques," expressed Norma Torres, a Viequense woman who coordinated the August entrance of 31 women from Vieques and the Main Island.
Contact: Robert Rabin, CRDV 787 741-0716 Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques P.O. Box 1424 Vieques, Puerto Rico 00765Tel. 787 741-0716 Fax. 741-0358 Email: bieke@coqui.net
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Tribunal Internacional Condena Marina por Violaciones de los Derechos Humanos
por R.Rabin, Comité Pro Rescate y Desarrollo de Vieques ~ 4 de diciembre
(SCROLL DOWN FOR ENGLISH)
El Gobierno de los Estados Unidos de Norteamérica, y en particular, la Marina de Guerra de los EU, es culpable de graves violaciones de los derechos humanos del pueblo de Vieques, Puerto Rico, como consecuencia de sesenta años de actividades bélicas en esa isla municipio. Ese fue el veredicto de un panel de jueces que escucharon varios días de testmonios durante el Tribunal Internacional sobre Violaciones de los Derechos Humanos en Puerto Rico y en Vieques, celebrado en el Fuerte Conde de Mirasol de Vieques del 16 al 20 del pasado mes de noviembre.
El Comité pro Derechos Humanos de Puerto Rico (CPDHPR), bajo la dirección del Dr. Luis Nieves Falcón y el Comité Pro Rescate y Desarrollo de Vieques (CPRDV) organizaron el tribunal. Nilda Medina, coordinadora del Campamento Justicia y Paz y miembro del CPRDV, movilizó un gran número de personas de la comunidad viequense para llevar a cabo las múltiples tareas relacionadas con el tribunal y así asegurar el éxito de esta importante actividad de solidaridad.
El Tribunal ayudó a denunciar internacionalmente las violaciones contra los más básicos derechos humanos en Puerto Rico y en Vieques, violaciones que resultan de la situación colonial de Puerto Rico, la represión contra los que luchan por la independencia y de la presencia y actividad de la Marina de Guerra de los Estados Unidos en Vieques. La celebración en Vieques del Tribunal enfocó atención en el problema de la presencia militar en esa isla municipio. La participación de jueces de Asia, Africa, América y Europa contribuyó a la divulgación intercontinental del caso de Vieques.
El Dr. Denis Brutus, poeta nacional de Suráfrica y ex prisonero político junto a Nelson Mandela bajo el regimen del Apartheid, presidió el panel de jueces que incluyó distinguidos defensores de los derechos humanos de Alemania, Timor Oriental, Canadá, España, Estados Unidos y Puerto Rico. El Monseñor Walter F. Sullivan, Obispo Católico de Richmond, Virginia y presidente nacional de Pax Cristi (órgano pacifista de la Iglesia Católica) en Estados Unidos y Dr. Rainer Huhle, miembro fundador del Centro de Documentación e Información sobre los Derechos Humanos en América Latina y del Centro de Derechos Humanos de Nuremberg, Alemania, también formaron parte del panel de jueces.
Los fiscales - o defensores del pueblo - incluyeron abogados puertorriqueños destacados por su labor en pro de la auto determinación y por su trabajo solidario por la desmilitarización de Vieques. Los licenciados Fermin Arraiza, hijo; José Juan Nazario y Pedro Varela, representaron los intereses de Puerto Rico y de Vieques en los procedimientos que contaron con la participación de reconocidos lideres políticos, religiosos, feministas y culturales de todas partes del archipiélago puertorriqueño y de la diáspora.
Varias actividades informales permitieron a los jueces y otros miembros del Tribunal a conversar con miembros de la comunidad y a conocer nuestra música, cultura e historia. La primera noche en Vieques los jueces y fiscales se reunieron con representantes de diversos sectores de la comunidad para conversar y bailar a la múscia de Rubén Bonano y su Trio. En la noche del sábado, aproximadamente cincuenta participantes del Tribunal se unieron a cientos de viequenses en la vigilia en el Campamento Justicia y Paz, frente a la entrada de la zona de bombardeo en Camp Garcia.
El domingo en la noche los jueces y sus asesores se reunieron para discutir los testimonios y revisar la documentación entregada como evidencia mientras otros participantes del Tribunal compartieron con miembros de la comunidad en una presentación cultural con el grupo de plena viequense, Vieques Libre. Durante el fin de semana se llevaron a cabo un viaje a la bahía bioluminescente y dos giras a lugares de interés arqueológico e histórico.
El primer día de las deliberaciones se dedicó a los temas de la auto determinación, el control que ejerce EU sobre la economía local, la militarización, la represión política, el desplazamiento poblacional, la protesta y la expresión cultural. Entre otros testigos, participaron los licenciados Juan Mari Bras y Noel Colón Martínez, la Dra. Margarita Mergal, Fernando Martin (en representacion de Rubén Berríos), representantes del Obispo Juan Vera de la Iglesia Metodista y del Monseñor Corrada del Rio de la Iglesia Católica. Ofrecieron testimonios también, altos oficiales de la Iglesia Unida de Cristo de los Estados Unidos.
Varios de los ex prisioneros y prisioneras políticos puertorriqueños que participaron en el Tribunal, se hospedaron con familias viequenses y así tuvieron la oportunidad de conocer más de cerca los problemas causados por la presencia militar y sobre la lucha del pueblo. Las ponencias de las hermanas Lucy y Alicia Rodríguez y de Elizam Escobar recibieron fuertes aplausos de los presentes. Los ex prisioneros Dylcia Pagán, Carmen Valentín, Edwin Cortés y Luis Rosa formaron parte del equipo de observadores del Tribunal. Heroina de la lucha por la independencia de Puerto Rico, Lolita Lebrón, recibió un tremendo aplauso al finalizar su testimonio sobre la represión política en Puerto Rico durante este siglo.
El domingo, representantes de diversos sectores de la comunidad viequense - mujeres, pescadores, lideres religiosos y comunitarios - ofrecieron una serie de vivencias sobre los horribles consecuencias de la presencia militar en la población viequense durante las pasadas seis décadas. El alcalde electo, Dámaso Serrano, abrió la sesión sobre Vieques con un saludo y mensaje de agradecimiento a los miembros del Tribunal. Cristina Garay y Myriam Sobá, de la Iglesia Metodista y la Alianza de Mujeres Viequenses, respectivamente, describieron los atropellos que cometieron la soldadesca estadounidense contra la mujer viequense en los años cincuenta y sesenta.
Carlos Zenón y su hijo Yabureibo, hablaron sobre la histórica y heróica lucha de los pescadores mientras Ismael Guadalupe (CPRDV), organizador comunitario, tocó el tema de la represión militar y policiaca contra la comunidad. Carlos "Prieto" Ventura, pescador viequense, presentó evidencia sobre la destrucción militar del ambiente marino. El ex alcalde, Radamés Tirado (PNP 1976-80), describió la forma en que la Marina interviene en la política local con el fin de ayudar a los candidatos que favorecen su presencia en Vieques.
Los científicos ambientistas Jorge Fernández Porto y Lirio Márquez describieron en detalle la destrucción y la contaminación con metales pesados, uranio y otros elementos nocivos, resultado de más de medio siglo de bombardeo y otras actividades militares en la parte este de Vieques. El Dr. Rafael Rivera Castaño (CPRDV) y la Dra. Cruz María Nazario (UPR-Esc.de Salud Pública) proveyeron amplia evidencia sobre los efectos de la contaminación militar en la salud de los viequenses. Robert Rabin (CPRDV), Director del Archivo Histórico de Vieques, presentó un breve testimonio en el cual acusó a la Marina de practicar el genocidio cultural a través de la destrucción de cientos de recursos arqueológicos e históricos viequenses identificados en los terrenos tras las rejas militares.
En su veredicto, los jueces reconocieron "el derecho inalienable a la vida, a un ambiente saludable y al desarrollo socio-económico, derechos que han sido consistentemente amenazados por la presencia y las actividades de la Marina de Guerra de EU. Describieron esta situación como el resultado del intento por parte del Gobierno de los EU y la Marina de Guerra, de destruir parcial o totalmente la población de esta isla, política que ha resultado en la muerte y serios daños físicos y mentales entre el pueblo viequense."
El Tribunal exhortó al Gobierno de los Estados Unidos a ordenar el cese inmediato y permanente de toda actividad militar en la Isla de Vieques. Los jueces recomendaron también la descontaminación de Vieques, una justa indemnización a los viequenses por los daños causados durante décadas de ocupación militar tanto en la salud como a los recursos naturales y para asegurar la recuperación económica de la isla.
El Tribunal Internacional aportó a la campaña de divulgación y denuncia a nivel mundial para desacreditar la política militar estadounidense tanto en Vieques como en otros lugares donde sus acciones resultan en la violación de los derechos humanos. Durante los pasados seis meses, el Comite Pro Rescate y Desarrollo de Vieques ha enviado representantes de la comunidad viequense a presentar nuestro caso en foros en España, Inglaterra, Corea, Japón, México, Cuba y Estados Unidos. Por varios años el CPRDV coordina la visita a Vieques de delegaciones internacionales por la desmilitarización y la descontaminación, junto a la Hermandad de Reconciliación (EU) y el Proyecto Caribeño de Justicia y Paz (PR). El trabajo del Tribunal Internacional sobre las Violaciones de los Derechos Humanos en Puerto Rico y en Vieques será una importante aportación a la lucha por la paz de Vieques.
Para más información del CPRDV - incluyendo el veredicto y otros documentos relacionados con el Tribunal Internacional - se puede comunicar vía correo electronico a la direccion: bieke@coqui.net. También pueden visitar la página del Comité en Redbetances.com o buscar información en la página http://www.viequeslibre.org
(ENGLISH VERSION)
International Tribunal Condemns Navy Violations of Human Rights
By Robert Rabin, Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques ~ Dec. 4
The Government of the United States of North America, and in particular, the US Navy, is guilty of violating the human rights of the people of Vieques, Puerto Rico, as a consequence of sixty years of Naval practice on this island municipality. That was the final verdict of a panel of judges that listened to several days of testimony during the International Tribunal about Human Rights Violations in Puerto Rico and Vieques, held in the Count Mirasol Fort in Vieques from the 16th to the 20th of November.
The Committee for Human Rights in Puerto Rico, under the direction of Dr. Luis Nieves Falcón and the Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques (CRDV) sponsored and organized the Tribunal. Nilda Medina, coordinator of the Vieques Peace and Justice Camp and member of the CRDV, mobilized a large group from the community to help with the great amount of work related to the Tribunal and to assure the success of this important project of solidarity with the Vieques struggle. The Tribunal helped denounce internationally the violations of the most basic human rights, violations that result from the colonial situation of Puerto Rico, the repression against those who fight for Independence and the presence of the US Navy on Vieques. Holding the Tribunal in Vieques helped focus attention on the problem of militarization. The participation of judges from Asia, Africa, America and Europe contributed to the international dissemination of information about the Vieques case.
Dr. Denis Brutus, National Poet of South Africa and ex political prisoner with Nelson Mandela under the Apartheid regime, presided over the panel of judges that included distinguished defenders of human rights from Germany, East Timor, Canada, Spain, United States and Puerto Rico. Monsignor Walter F. Sullivan, Catholic Bishop of Richmond, Virginia and national president of Pax Christi in the US (pacifist organ of the Catholic Church) and Dr. Rainer Huhle, founding member of the Latin American Human Rights Documentation and Information Center and the Center for Human Rights of Nuremberg, Germany were also on the panel.
The attorneys for the people included outstanding Puerto Rican lawyers, well known for their work in favor of self determination and for their solidarity work toward the demilitarization of Vieques. Lawyers Fermin Arraiza, Jr., José Juan Nazario and Pedro Varela, represented the interests of Puerto Rico and Vieques during the proceedings that included the participation of recognized political, religious, feminist and cultural leaders from all parts of the Puerto Rican archipelago and from the diaspora.
Several informal activities allowed the judges and other members of the Tribunal to converse with people from the community and learn about our music, culture and history. The first night in Vieques the judges and lawyers met with a large group of representatives from diverse sectors of the population to speak informally and dance to the music of the Rubén Bonano Trio. Saturday night, approximately fifty participants in the Tribunal joined hundreds of Viequenses in the vigil celebrated each Saturday night at the Peace and Justice Resistance Camp, in front of the gates to the bombing range at Camp García. Sunday evening the judges and their advisors worked while other Tribunal participants shared with members of the community during a cultural presentation by the Vieques plena group, Vieques Libre (Free Vieques). During the weekend people visited the bioluminescent bay and places of archaeological and historic interest on Vieques.
The first day of deliberations were dedicated to Self Determination, US Control Over the Local Economy, Militarization, Political Repression, Displacement of the Population, Protest and Cultural Expression. Among the participants were lawyers Juan Mari Bras and Noel Colón Martínez, Dr. Margarita Mergal, Fernando Martin in representation of Ruben Berrios, representatives of Bishop Juan Vera of the Methodist Church and Monsignor Corrada del Río of the Catholic Church. Testimonies were also presented by high officials of the United Church of Christ of the US.
Several ex political prisoners of Puerto Rico participating in the Tribunal, stayed with Vieques families and had an opportunity to get first hand information about the difficulties caused by the military presence. Presentations by sisters Lucy and Alicia Rodríguez and Elizam Escobar received great applause from the community. Ex political prisoners Dylcia Pagán, Carmen Valentín, Edwin Cortés, Luis Rosa, acted as observers during the Tribunal. Puerto Rican freedom figher and heroin, Lolita Lebron, received a standing ovation after presenting testimony on political repression in Puerto Rico throughout this century.
On Sunday, representatives of diverse sectors of Vieques community - women, fishermen, religious figures and activists - offered testimonies about the terrible consequences of the military presence. Mayor elect, Damaso Serrano, opened the session on Vieques with a fraternal greeting and a message of gratitude to the members of the Tribunal. Cristina Garay and Myriam Sobá, of the Methodist Church and the Vieques Women's Alliance, respectively, described the abuses committed by Navy personnel against Viequense women in the 1950´s and 1960´s. Carlos Zenón and his son Yabureibo, talked about the historic and heroic struggle of the fishermen while community organizer, Ismael Guadalupe (CRDV) touched the theme of military and police repression against the local struggle. Vieques fisherman, Carlos "Prieto" Ventura, brought evidence of the military destruction of the marine environment. Ex mayor, Radamés Tirado (PNP 1976-1980) described Navy intervention in the local political arena to promote candidates that favor the military presence on Vieques.
Environmental scientists, Jorge Fernández Porto and Lirio Márques, described in detail the destruction and contamination with heavy metals, uranium and other harmful chemicals componentes as a result of more than half a century of bombing and other military activities on the Eastern part of Vieques. Dr. Rafael Rivera Castaño (CRDV) and Dr. Cruz María Nazario (School of Public Health-UPR) provided extensive evidence about the effects of military contamination on the health and well being of the Vieques population. Robert Rabin, (CRDV) Director of the Vieques Historic Archives, presented a brief testimony in which he accused the Navy of practicing cultural genocide through the destruction of archaeological resources and historical sites located inside the military area.
The judges verdict recognized "the inalienable right of the people of Vieques to life, a healthy environment, social and economic development, rights that have been consistently threatened by the presence and activities of the US Navy. This situation results from the attempt by the US Government and the US Navy to destroy the population of this island, partially or totally, a policy that has resulted in death and serious physical and mental damages." The Tribunal urged the US Government to order the immediate and permanent cessation of all military activity on Vieques. The judges also recommended the decontamination of Vieques and a just indemnization for damages to the health of the people and the natural resources and to secure the economic recovery of the island.
The International Tribunal contributed to campaign of dissemination and denunciation aimed at discrediting US military policy in Vieques and in other parts of the world where their actions are in direct violation of basic human rights. During the past six months, the Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques has sent community representatives to present the Vieques case in international forum in Spain, England, Korea, Japan, Mexico, Cuba and the United States.. For several years, the CRDV has coordinated visits by international delegations for demilitarization and decontamination, along with the Fellowship of Reconciliation (US) and the Caribbean Project for Peace and Justice (PR). The work of the International Tribunal about Human Rights Violations in Puerto Rico and Vieques will be a significant contribution to the struggle for peace on Vieques.
For more information from the CRDV - including the final findings and other documents related to the International Tribunal - please contact us by email at: bieke@coqui.net. We also suggest you visit the web site of the Committee at Redbetances.com or the web site, http://www.viequeslibre.org
END
Vieques Main Topic at International Conference on Military Contamination
By Nilda Medina, Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques ~ Nov. 15
The struggle of the people of Vieques was the principal topic at an international conference held recently in San Diego, California. Representatives from communities in Japan, Puerto Rico, Colorado, New Mexico, Tejas, Montana, California, Mississippi, Massachusetts and Alaska shared their experiences struggling against the environmental and health effects of diverse forms of military contamination: radiation from nuclear aircraft carriers, contamination from shipbuilding activities, problems associated with military exercises, storage and manufacture of arms, among others. High levels of cancer, respiratory sickness and high rates of infant mortality - similar to Vieques - were reported in areas affected by military contamination.
The delegates to the conference approved a Declaration of Solidarity with the People of Vieques, in support of civil disobedience as a legitimate means to bring peace to the island. The declaration supports the demands of the Viequenses for an immediate and permanent cessation of all military activities, decontamination and the return of all lands controlled by the Navy to the people of Vieques for sustainable, community controlled economico development.
Robert Rabin, member of the Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques, offered thekeynote address at the conference. According to Rabin, "our participation in this conference ispart of an international disemination campaign about the Vieques situation. Other representatives of our committee travelled recently to Chiapas (Mexico), Manchester (England), Cuba and Japan, to create an international network of mutual support among peoples affected by contaminationa and other problems related to militarism."
Contact: Nilda Medina (787) 741-0358 Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques P.O. Box 1424 Vieques, Puerto Rico 00765 Tel. (787) 741-0358 E mail: bieke@coqui.net
END
Letter From Mayor Elect To Pres. Clinton
Dámaso Serrano López, Vieques Libre ~ November 10
Mayor-elect
Municipality of Vieques
P.O. Box 312
Vieques, Puerto Rico 00765
November 10, 2000
The Honorable William J. Clinton
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20500
Dear President Clinton:
My name is Dámaso Serrano López and I am the Mayor-elect of Vieques, Puerto Rico. I won Tuesday's election with 63.8% of the votes, for a four-year term as Mayor of Vieques. My campaign focused on achieving the immediate and permanent cease and desist of all military activities in Vieques, which is the primary goal and demand of our people.
At the same time, the candidates in the general election in Puerto Rico who support that same goal and demand, won in Tuesday's elections, among them the Honorable Sila Calderón, Governor-elect of Puerto Rico, and the Honorable Aníbal Acevedo Vilá, elected as Resident Commissioner to the
U.S. Congress.
The demand that the U.S. Navy must leave Vieques without dropping one more bomb, of any kind, has been the popular will of the people of Puerto Rico in general, and of Vieques in particular, before you issued your Directives on Vieques, and after you issued those Directives.
President Clinton, now the will of the elected representatives of Puerto Rico, in the Mayoralty of Vieques, in the Governorship of Puerto Rico, in our Representative in the U.S. Congress, in the Puerto Rico Senate and House of Representatives, and in the majority of the mayoralties in Puerto Rico, concerning Vieques is the same as the will of the people of Puerto Rico in general and of Vieques in particular: That the U.S. Navy must be ordered out of Vieques now, without dropping one more bomb, of any kind.
We are calling on you to respect that demand and that, before you leave office ten weeks from now, that you issue an Executive Order implementing that demand.
It was foreseeable that your Directives on Vieques would be changed by a Republican U.S. Congress, especially in an election year. That is why we insisted that you issue the Executive Order that we are demanding once again. You still have some time to do what's right, and the urgency of our plight is accentuated by the fact that the Republicans will control Congress once again.
If you don't issue this Executive Order, your Directives (drastically modified by this Congress and with no guarantee that they will be respected by the next Congress) will be used to say that there is no alternative site to Vieques, that Vieques is indispensable and that the Navy hasn't found another site. Meanwhile, bombing will continue in our island of close to 10,000 people. The only incentive for the Navy to seriously find an alternative site is if they are ordered to stop bombing in Vieques.
Mr. President, on Election Day, during a radio interview with reporter Amy Goodman, you urged the American people to vote for the Gore Lieberman ticket, for First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton as Senator from New York, and for John Corzine as Senator from New Jersey. In so doing, you told the American public the following:
"Now, the Republicans in Congress broke the agreement, and instead of giving the Western part of the island to Puerto Rico, gave it to the Interior Department to manage. If I can't find a way to give that island, the western part of the island back to the people of Puerto Rico, and to honor the agreement that the government of Puerto Rico itself made with the support of the local leaders, including the mayor of Vieques, then the people of Puerto Rico I think have a right to say the Federal Government broke its word, and the training has to stop right now."
That encouraging statement, Mr. President, gives us hope that you will not once again let our people fend for ourselves once again before a Republican Congress, especially since you will leave office shortly. It is easy to blame the Republican Congress for what they have done, and may foreseeable do, regarding Vieques. But the constitutional authority to "stop the training right now" lies with you, President Clinton. If you fail to do so, the responsibility for the continuing suffering of our people and the disrespect towards the will of our people and our elected representatives, is solely yours.
I respectfully and emphatically call on you, President Clinton, to heed the will of our people and our elected representatives and issue an Executive Order ordering the immediate and permanent cease and desist of all military activities in Vieques. Please call me in Vieques at 787-741-8065, or call Flavio Cumpiano in Washington, DC at 202-721-4688, to set up a meeting or a conference call in order to provide you with whatever information or assistance we can give, or answer whichever questions you may have, in order to resolve this critical situation and accomplish this essential demand.
Sincerely,
Dámaso Serrano López
END
Pro-Vieques Candidates Win Elections in Puerto Rico
Vieques Libre ~ November 8
In Tuesday's general elections in Puerto Rico, Popular Democratic Party candidate Sila Calderon defeated New Progressive (Statehood) Party candidate Carlos Pesquera, to become the new Governor of Puerto Rico.
At the same time, Popular Democratic Party candidate Anibal Acevedo Vila defeated New Progressive Party candidate Carlos Romero Barcelo, to become the new Resident Commissioner in the U.S. Congress.
Both Governor-elect Sila Calderon and Resident Commissioner-elect Anibal Acevedo Vila support the immediate and permanent cessation of all military activites in Vieques, and have pledged to make that goal a priority for their government.
Losing candidates Pesquera and Romero, on the other hand, claimed that "the Vieques situation has been resolved".
At the same time, Popular Democratic Party candidate Damaso Serrano soundly defeated New Progressive Party candidate Juana Rivera to become the new Mayor of Vieques. Serrano, a staunch supporter of the immediate cessation of all military activities in Vieques, was among those arrested on May 4 for participating in civil disobedience in Vieques to prevent further bombing. Rivera, on the other hand, was widely seen as the Navy's candidate.
Upon his resounding victory, Mayor-elect Damaso Serrano made the following statement:
"The people of Vieques have won today. This victory represents the people's will that the U.S. Navy must leave Vieques immediately and permanently, and that the land must be returned to us, to the Viequenses.
This is the first time in Vieques that a candidate for Mayor who campaigned against the Navy, wins the mayoralty.
We have sent a message today, loud and clear, that our people demand respect and we will get respect.
I have fought against the Navy's presence and activities in Vieques and through my words and deeds have supported, and continue to support, civil disobedience as a means to achieving the Navy's withdrawal of our island.
Now, when I am sworn in as Mayor of Vieques on January 8, I will do all within my power to make sure that the will of our people is respected."
For election results, in English and Spanish, visit the site of Puerto Rico's Election Commission
END
Update About the Statue of Liberty's Take Over
Vieques Libre ~ November 6
On Sunday, November 5 at 10 a.m., members of the Puerto Rico based groups, Amig@s Del Mar and Amig@s De Vieques entered the Statue of Liberty on Ellis Island to protest the U.S. Navy occupation of the island municipality of Vieques. Among them was Tito Kayak who climbed on top of the crown of the statue to place the Puerto Rican and Vieques flags and a huge sign which read "Peace For Vieques!" Accompanying Tito Kayak was Prof. Gazir Sued. A total of 12 activists were arrested. Four were released after a few hours with no charges filed against them and seven were released after being fined anywhere from $50 to $150. Tito Kayak is still being held pending possible additional charges. He goes in front of a federal magistrate today at 2:00pm at 500 Pearl Street, 5th floor, in Manhattan.
Vieques is one of four larger islands in the Caribbean that comprise Puerto Rico. The U.S. Navy uses the island of Vieques for target practice and rehearsals by the U.S. Navy Atlantic Fleet and other NATO forces. The Pentagon imposed this occupation 60 years ago and today the U.S. Navy controls almost three-fourths of this small island. War rehearsals conducted on the island of Vieques have involved the secret use of radioactive weapons. Today, almost three out of every ten of the island's inhabitants suffers from a growing cancer epidemic.The Presidential Directives given by Clinton in January 31, 2000 are not accepted by the vast majority of the Puerto Rican people, hence direct action protests and civil disobedience campaigns such as this will continue until the immediate withdrawal of the U.S. Navy from Vieques is reached.
For more information and pictures visit http://www.ViequesLibre.org or contact Juan Casañas in New York at (917) 929-1197 or Carmen Chazulle in Puerto Rico at (787) 562-8552.
END
12 Arrested at Statue of Liberty P.R. Flag Unfurling
Reuters ~ November 5
Twelve people were arrested at the Statue of Liberty on Sunday after a man climbed through a window in the crown and unfurled Puerto Rican flags and banners, holding police at bay for two hours before surrendering. U.S. Park Police said that a group of six people protesting the presence of the U.S. military on the Puerto Rican island of Vieques ascended the statue to the observation area in the world famous landmark's crown and broke out a window, which one man climbed through. Once outside on exterior deck the man unfurled Puerto Rico and Vieques flags, as well as two banners which said "Peace'' and "Vieques.''
Police, who cleared the popular attraction in New York Harbor of tourists, arrested the other five and tried to talk the man into coming inside. The man, who was not identified, surrendered after more than two hours, said Sgt. Sal Norman of the U.S. Parks Police. Six other people in the group were also arrested, including three who videotaped the incident, Norman said. Charges from the U.S. Attorney's office were pending, he said, but would include demonstrating without a permit and destruction of government property. He said the man who went onto the outside deck would likely face the most serious charges. The statue, a gift from France to the United States and symbol of the nation's being a destination for immigrants, is located on Liberty Island off the southern tip of Manhattan. It is among the city's top tourist attractions.
END
Viequense Veteran Travels To England To Denounce Use Of Uranium Weapons On Vieques
Vieques Libre ~ November 6
Ernesto Peña, Vietnam veteran from Vieques, left yesterday for Manchester, England, where he will represent the Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques (CRDV) in the International Conference Against Depleted Uranium Weapons on 4 and 5 November. Organized by the Campaign Against Depleted Uranium (CADU), the conference will include participantes from India, the U.S., Iraq, Holand, Serbia, Canada, Korea, England, Italy and Puerto Rico. According to CADU, DU is already an illegal weapon of war under existing international humanitarian law.
In may of last year, U.S. Navy officials admitted they had dropped uranium projectiles in Vieques during maneuvers in February of that year, two months before the bombing with live explosives in which the civilian Viequense guard, David Sanes, was killed. To this day the Navy has not been able to recover the uranium projectiles.
Spokesmen for the CRDV have denounced the use of Vieques for experimenting and training with uranium weapons since 1994. The denouncements stemmed from information about the enormous quantity of uranium weapons dropped in Iraq and the declarations of retired Admiral Diego Hernández about Vieques as the principal training ground for the Gulf War.
Fishermen and members of the CRDV examined tanks and other targets in the Navy´s bombing zone in 1994, 1995 and 1996 and found perforations in the tanks that could only have been made by depleted uranium rounds. It was not until May of 1999, however, that the Navy admitted to having used these radioactive weapons in Vieques.
Ernesto Peña will participate in the international conference in England as an activist in the struggle for demilitarization of Vieques and will offer testimony about the horrible environmental destruction and the health consequences for our people that result from the military practices and contamination. He takes with him to England photos and medical evidence of the high concentrations of heavy metals, mercury and uranium in children on Vieques and the alarmingly high cancer rate among our population.
The participation of the CRDV in this conference is part of a campaign to internationalize the case of Vieques, strengthen established relations with activits in other countries and create new contacts with communities affected by militar contamination and repression. During the month of November, representatives from the Viequense committee wil participate in conferences and meetings in Cuba, Okinawa, Washington, D.C. and San Diego California. Recently, Ismael Guadalupe, spokesman for the CRDV, travelled to Korea where he established contact with community groups struggling to end US Air Force bombing in a small town similar to Vieques. Hilcia Guadalupe represented the CRDV in October at an international conference in Chiapas, Mexico.
Contact: Robert Rabin, 787 741-0358 or cel. 375-0525
END
Veterano Viequense Viaja A Inglaterra Para Denunciar USO De Armas De Uranio En Vieques
Vieques Libre - 2 de noviembre de 2000
En representación del Comité Pro Rescate y Desarrollo de Vieques (CPRDV), el veterano viequense de la Guerra de Vietnam, Ernesto Peña, salió ayer hacia Manchester, Inglaterra, donde participará en la Conferencia Internacional contra las Armas de Uranio Reducido los días 4 y 5 de este mes. Organizada por la Campaña Contra Uranio Reducido (CADU - por sus siglas en inglés), la conferencia incluirá participantes de la India, Estados Unidos, Iraq, Holanda, Serbia, Canadá, Corea, Inglaterra, Italia y Puerto Rico. Según portavoces de CADU, las armas de uranio reducico son ilegales bajo leyes humanitarias internacionales existentes.
En mayo del año pasado, oficiales de la Marina de Guerra de Estados Unidos admitieron que habían lanzado proyectiles de uranio en Vieques durante maniobras en febrero de ese año, dos meses antes del bombardeo con explosivos vivos en que murió el guardia civil viequense, David Sanes. Al día de hoy, los militares no han podido recuperar los proyectiles de uranio.
Portavoces del CPRDV han denunciado el uso de Vieques para experimentación y entrenamiento con armas de uranio desde 1994. Las denuncias surgieron al recibir información sobre la enorme cantidad de balas de uranio lanzada en Iraq y las declaraciones del retirado Almirante Diego Hernández al efecto de que Vieques fue el principal punto de entrenamiento para la Guerra del Golfo.
Pescadores y miembros del CPRDV examinaron tanques y otros blancos en la zona de tiro de la Marina en Vieques en 1994, 1995 y 1996 y encontraron perforaciones en los tanques que solo pueden producir las armas de uranio reducido. No fue hasta mayo de 1999, sin embargo, que la Marina admitió que había usado estas armas radioactivas en Vieques.
Ernesto Peña participará en la conferencia internacional en Inglaterra como activista de la lucha por la desmilitarización de Vieques y ofrecerá testimonio sobre la horrible destrucción ambiental y las consecuencias en la salud de nuestro pueblo que resultan de las prácticas y la contaminación militar. Lleva a Inglaterra fotos y evidencia médica de las altas concentraciones de metales pesados, mercurio y uranio en niños viequenses y el alarmante nivel de cáncer entre nuestra población.
La participación del CPRDV en esta conferencia es parte de una campaña para internacionalizar el caso de Vieques, ampliar las relaciones ya establecidas con activistas en otros países y crear nuevos contactos con comunidades afectadas por la contaminación y la represión militar. Durante el mes de noviembre, representantes del comité viequense participarán en conferencias y reuniones en Cuba, Okinawa, Washington, DC y San Diego, California. En meses recientes, Ismael Guadalupe, portavoz del CPRDV viajó a Corea donde se estableció contacto con grupos comunitarios que luchan contra el bombardeo en un pequeño pueblo similar a Vieques. Hilcia Guadalupe, representó al CPRDV en octubre en una conferencia interancional en Chiapas, México.
Contacto: Robert Rabin, 787-741-0358 o celular 787-375-0525
COMITÉ PRO RESCATE Y DESARROLLO DE VIEQUES
Apartado 1424 Vieques, Puerto Rico 00765
(787) 741-0716 E mail: bieke@coqui.net
END
Fuerzas Militares-Policiacas Planifican Ataque Contra Campamento Justicia y Paz
Vieques Libre ~ 3 de Noviembre
Un plan para desestabilizar el Campamento de Justicia y Paz, ubicado frente a los portones del Campamento García en Vieques, fué dado a conocer hoy mediante comunicado de prensa conjunto del Congreso Nacional Hostosiano y el Comité Pro Rescate y Desarrollo de Vieques.
De acuerdo al doctor Héctor L. Pesquera, copresidente del CNH, fuentes vinculadas a la Marina, pero solidarias con la lucha por la paz en Vieques, informaron de un plan elaborado entre la Marina, el FBI y la Fuerza de Choque de la Policía de Puerto Rico, que consiste en hallanar dicho Campamento este domingo 5 de noviembre, so pretexto de la existencia de armas en el lugar.
"El objetivo es vincular la lucha del pueblo viequense con violencia y armas. La convocatoria de la candidata a alcaldesa por el PNP en Vieques para una actividad de cierre de campaña el mismo día y practicamente en el mismo lugar que el del PIP, tiene el mismo propósito: crear situaciones potencialmente conflictivas", dijo Pesquera.
El operativo de la Marina contra el Campamento de Justicia y Paz consistiría en atacar dicho campamento con balas de goma y gases lacrimógenos para desmantelar el lugar, que sirve de centro de operaciones y local de reunión de los diversos sectores que luchan por que la Marina desista de utilizar Vieques como polígono de tiro.
"Debemos estar atentos a esta y otras maniobras que utilizará la Marina para desvirtuar el carácter pacífico y civilizado de nuestra lucha. Esta lucha es en contra de la violencia y el militarismo. Es a favor de la paz y la justicia" dijo por su parte Ismael Guadalupe, uno de los portavoces del Comité Pro Rescate y Desarrollo de Vieques, organización comunitaria que dirige el Campamento Justicia y Paz.
"Lo importante es que la Marina sepa que nuestra inteligencia también es efectiva y que tenemos fuentes de información dentro de sus propias filas. Es la misma cantaleta que utilizó Romero Barceló de que en los campamentos de desobediencia civil había armas y explosivos. !Claro que había armas y explosivos -las que la Marina ha estado lanzando en el lugar por más de sesenta años!", terminó diciendo el comunicado de prensa conjunto.
Congreso Nacional Hostosiano
Muñoz Rivera 602, Le Mans 803
Hato Rey, Puerto Rico 00918 Tel. 250-1588
Comité Rescate y Desarrollo de Vieques
Apartado 1424 Vieques, Puerto Rico 00765
Tel. (787) 741-0358 Email: bieke@coqui.net
END
Military And Police Forces Plan Attack Against Peace And Justice Camp
Vieques Libre ~ November 3
A plan to destabilize the Peace and Justice Camp, located in front of the gates to Camp García in Vieques, was described today in a joint press release by the National Hostos Congress (NHC) and the Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques (CRDV).
According to Dr. Héctor L. Pesquera, co-presidente of the CHN, sources close to the Navy, but in solidarity with the struggle for peace in Vieques, informed about a plan elaborated by the Navy, the FBI and the Riot Police of Puerto Rico, that consists of searching the camp this Sunday, November 5th, under the pretext of the existence of arms in the camp.
"The objective is to link the struggle of the people of Vieques with violence and weapons. The call by the PNP mayoral candidate for a campaign closing activity the same day and practically in the same place as the PIP, has the same purpose: to create potentially conflictive situations", Pesquera said.
The Navy operation against the Peace and Justice Camp would consist of attacking the camp with rubber bullets and tear gas to dismantle the facility, that serves as the center of operations and meeting space for the diverse sectors that struggle to put an end to Navy bombing on Vieques.
"We should be attentive to this and other maneuvers the Navy will use to detract from the peacefull and civilized character of our struggle. This struggle is against violence and militarism. It is in favor of peace and justice", said Ismael Guadalupe, one of the spokesman for the Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques, community organization that directs the Peace and Justice Camp.
"It is important that the Navy know our intelligence is also effective and that we have sources of information in their own ranks. This is the same old story that Romero Barceló used when he said there were weapons and explosives in the civil disobedience camps. Of course there were weapons and explosives - those that the Navy had been shooting there for more than sixty years!", finished the joint press release.
National Hostos Congress
Muñoz Rivera 602, Le Mans 803
Hato Rey, Puerto Rico 00918
Tel. 787-250-1588
Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques
P.O. Box 1424 Vieques, Puerto Rico 00765
Tel. 787-741-0358 Email: bieke@coqui.net
END
PUERTO RICO ARCHIVES I (JUNE 00 - OCT. 00)
PUERTO RICO ARCHIVES II (DEC. '99 - MAY 00)
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