posted on May 7, 2003 10:25:34 AM new
One of the many headaches that George W. Bush inherited from his predecessor was the Puerto Rican Island of Vieques. In the waning years of the Clinton administration, protesters demanded that the U.S. Navy abandon bombing and naval gun fire exercises that had taken place on the largely uninhabited island for nearly seventy years. It became a leftist cause. Liberal icons bumped into one another to fly to Puerto Rico, boat over to the island, trespass (but never on a day that there was an exercise scheduled) and get arrested for the> benefit of the New York Times or Newsweek. They included the Reverend Al Sharpton, Mrs. Jesse Jackson, Joan Baez, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Edward Olomos, Michael Moore and Ramsey Clark, just to name a few.
Hillary Clinton, then running for the U.S. Senate in New York, chastised the U.S. Navy for not bowing to the "will of the citizens of Puerto Rico", until her husband, a week before the election, issued an executive order to phase out the facility by 2003, despite recommendations to the contrary by his own Secretary of Defense and the Chief of Naval Operations.
In 2002, the bombing exercises were ransferred to an Air Force bombing range in central Florida, not far from the Jacksonville and Pensacola Naval Air Stations.
In January, many of the protesters were back in Puerto Rico, celebrating the final bombing exercise on Vieques and waved Puerto Rican flags and placards that read "U.S. Navy, get out of Puerto Rico."
On February 21, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld announced that the U.S. Navy will close the Roosevelt Roads Naval Air Stati on in Puerto Rico in 2004, eliminating 1200 civilian jobs as well as 700 military positions. This naval facility is estimated to put nearly $300 million annually into the local economy.
The next day a stunned Governor Sila Calderon, held news conference in San Juan, protesting the base closure as a serious blow to Commonwealth's fragile economy. The governor stated that "The people of Puerto Rico don't now or never did have an interest in closing the Vieques bombing range or the Roosevelt Roads naval base. My government is interested in both staying in Puerto Rico."
When asked, Admiral Robert J. Natter, Commander-in Chief, Western Atlantic Command, said, "Without Vieques, I see no further need for the facility at Roosevelt Roads. None." So, Yanqui go home? Fine. But we'll take our dollars with us.
posted on May 7, 2003 11:29:07 AM new
So just to clarify - that would be joy you are expessing at the damage to the economy of an American commonwealth and loss of jobs for 1200 people?
posted on May 7, 2003 02:53:36 PM new
"Leftists had their hand in this?" How, exactly? The Commander-in-chief is a Republican. The independent comission that reviews base closures is appointed by Republicans. Both houses of Congress, which will make the decision (or not) appropriation to close the facility, are dominated by Republicans. The Secretary of the Navy was appointed by a Republican. I don't remember any of them saying that Robert Kennedy or Edward James Olmos played a great role in their opinion-making process.
Besides which, this email is a crock. The decision to close Roosevelt Road has not been made and will not be made until 2005. It gets several other facts wrong: The bombing continued through 2003, not 2002. President Clinton signed an order on Vieques in October, but George W. Bush had already said he thought bombing exercises should be stopped.
And most importantly, that quote by the governor is 100 percent made up. It's ridiculous to anyone who knows anything about Puerto Rican politics. Calderon was elected on the strength of promises to stop Vieques bombing immediately instead of waiting for the gradual phase-out negotiated by the Clinton administration. She's 100 percent hard-line on the need to close Vieques.
posted on May 7, 2003 03:21:34 PM newAnd now they can go get more help from their "companero" (comrade).
Independence leader thanks senior Cuban official for support in Vieques fight
Miami Herald. Posted at 1:02 p.m. EDT Wednesday, June 6, 2001
HAVANA -- (AP) -- A Puerto Rican independence leader gave the president of Cuba's parliament a big hug and a Puerto Rican flag, along with thanks for the communist government's support of the fight against military exercises on Vieques, a small island off the U.S. territory's coast.
"If there is a human being who our people respect and love it is 'Companero' Ricardo Alarcon,'' said Julio Muriente, of the New Puerto Rican Independence Movement. "We very much appreciate your solidarity.''
Alarcon, president of Cuba's National Assembly, had hoped to travel this week to Puerto Rico to attend an event celebrating the 35th anniversary of the opening of the Mission of Puerto Rico in Cuba, a foundation in Havana that promotes ties between the two Spanish-speaking Caribbean islands.
But the U.S. government denied his request for a visa.
Although some of Puerto Rico's lawmakers earlier said Alarcon should be denied a visa because of concerns about human rights in Cuba, Gov. Sila Calderon said she would not intervene.
During a small ceremony at the Havana house that serves as the Puerto Rican mission, Alarcon noted that it was the U.S. government, not Puerto Rican officials, who made the decision on the visa.
"It is really the federal authorities who govern Puerto Rico,'' Alarcon said. "And the visa was denied for U.S. reasons that have nothing to do with Puerto Rico.''
In the same way, the U.S. Navy has continued bombing exercises on Vieques, despite protests by Calderon and other Puerto Rican authorities, Alarcon said.
President Fidel Castro last month led thousands in a Havana protest against the exercises on Vieques, a move that sparked debate among Puerto Rican lawmakers over whether the island should accept his government's support.
Opponents of the exercises say that bombing on the island endangers the health of Vieques' 9,400 residents, a charge the Navy denies.
Puerto Rican independence supporters in particular have long found support in Cuba, which has not had diplomatic relations with the United States for four decades.
Independence has gained less than 5 percent of support in recent plebiscites on Puerto Rico's status with the United States. Puerto Rico has been a U.S. territory since 1898, and islanders have U.S. citizenship.
posted on May 7, 2003 05:30:27 PM new
Ms - thank you for the clarification. After reading a couple pieces on the military prsence in PR the decision seemed to defy logic. Couldn'y really understand why a stoppage of bombing missions would suddenly make the largest South America access base obsolete. Definitley came across as politically retaliatory and as a bit of cutting off your nose to spite your face.
Now I instead wonder how boring and pathetic a persons life must be to make devote it to articles such as the one that started the thread. I also wonder where Bear found it.
posted on May 7, 2003 05:42:24 PM new
So much for the veracity of another forwarded email.Some never learn. "Must be troo, I seen it on that there internet"..
I guess we'll see if it closes in two more years. Meantime, training will cease as the PR people voted for in their referendum.
______________________________________________
If you can't answer a man's argument, all is not lost; you can still call him vile names.
- Elbert Hubbard
[ edited by profe51 on May 7, 2003 05:57 PM ]
May 1, 2003 First of 3 part Report from Vieques, Puerto Rico by Frank Velgara I arrived at 2 a.m. on May 1, 2003 in Fajardo in the area to go to Vieques. Many people had already gathered in a spirit of militant solidarity. The camaraderie was evident. By 6:00 a.m.the area was filled and at 9:00 a.m. we boarded the boat to Vieques. As we arrived at Vieques, we saw people already gathering to march to Camp Garcia for a rally and program.
Thousands marched, chanting with militancy, affirming the victory of the people of Vieques and Puerto Rico while expressing clear determination to continue alongside the Viequenses and the people of Puerto Rico until the contamination is cleaned up, the lands are returned to the people, economic development is achieved and reparations are won.
There were also many signs and chants against the US invasion and occupation of Iraq. Marchers expressed solidarity with the Cuban revolution and against any US military intentions towards Cuba.
Marchers came from California, New York, Connecticut, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Chicago, just to name a few. The march was lead by the organizations from Vieques: Committee for the Resecue and Development of Vieques and the Peace and Justice Camp, The Vieques Womens Alliance, the Coalition For May 1-4 Events in Vieques followed by those arrested in civil disobedience, the Vieques Diocese, Todo Puerto Rico with Vieques, the Socialist Front, the PIP, the NMIP, El Congreso Hostosiano, the Vieques Support Campaign, unions, and other civic and political organizations.
The demonstration also passed by a statue of Angel Rodriguez Cristobal, a martyred leader of the Vieques struggle. In 1979 at a protest inside the restricted military zone of the island Cristobal was among several people who were arrested. After being sent to the federal prison facility in Tallahassee, Florida, Cristobal was discovered dead hanging in his cell. As the marchers passed the statue they chanted loudly, "PRESENTE!"
At the main rally held about 12:30 p.m., among the speakers were Ruben Berrios, Ismael Guadalupe, Carlos Zenon, Miriam Soba, Che Paraliticci, Damaso Serrano, Padre Nelson. I spoke as a representative of the Vieques Support Campaign.
I was very moved by the extremely warm and enthusiastic reception the crowd gave as I was called to the stage representing the VSC and the desires of the Puerto Rican community in the US. It is a memory I will always cherish. It is worth noting that there were no politicians among the invited speakers.
The Vieques Support Campaign message was clear and concise: Presente! We are proud to be here enjoying the first major advance of the people of Vieques in the ongoing struggle to rid that island of the military presence. We will continue to struggle alongside of the people of Vieques and all Puerto Rico. Our solidarity and support will continue. The people of the world are with Vieques and all Puerto Rico, just like many in Puerto Rico are in solidarity with the people of Iraq and all those who fight against U.S. military aggression abroad and repression at home. Boricuas of conscience will fight on. We do so knowing that today, it is Vieques, tomorrow it will be Puerto Rico.
The struggle for Vieques is fundamentally for self-determination and independence for Puerto Rico, that is, against US imperialism. The VSC message was very well received and was interrupted by applause throughout my presentation.
After the rally we marched into the grounds of Camp Garcia to reclaim it as a liberated zone. The activities at Camp Garcia all afternoon were followed by a people's concert for Vieques. Among the performing artists at the concert were El Topo, Roy Brown, Andy Montañez, Haciendo Punto en Otro Son, Zoraida Santiago, Voz Profetica, and at least 20 others who played until about 1:30 in the morning. Thousands filled the area and chants of "Vieques Si Marina No!" filled the streets.
Although the people of Vieques and all of Puerto Rico achieved a partial victory, it is nevertheless a victory, which is why militant activities in celebration are expected to continue for some time.
Vieques Without The Navy! Implement the 4 D's! Today Vieques, Tomorrow Puerto Rico! USA Out of Puerto Rico!
(Frank Velgara - co-coordinator of the Vieques Support Campaign)
Vieques ready to celebrate Navy's exit BY MARIKA LYNCH [email protected]
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -On May 1, the people of Vieques are planning a large party -- a four-day, 'round-the-clock fiesta of fireworks and salsa music -- to celebrate a landmark event: the official end of the tiny island's existence as a target range for the U.S. Navy.
The Navy's departure is both a milestone in Puerto Rican history -- the Navy's presence on Vieques dates back to the 1940s -- and an opportunity for residents to celebrate because they blame the range for crippling the economy, spoiling the fish stock and making children sick.
Residents who once threw themselves in the line of fire as Vieques waged a campaign to oust the Navy will be feted as guests of honor.
Meanwhile, seven miles away by boat on the main island of Puerto Rico, the sprawling Navy base that once served as headquarters for Vieques training is shrinking dramatically -- if not disappearing altogether -- and few in Puerto Rico would consider that a reason to celebrate.
Nearly half of Naval Station Roosevelt Roads' employees are shipping out, leaving one of the island's largest employers ripe for closure. And a day after the Vieques range becomes the Caribbean's largest national wildlife refuge, an important U.S. Army command in charge of Latin America operations will begin to leave its base near San Juan for Texas.
Though the decision to move to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio was based on cutting costs and boosting living standards, the protesters who often closed his bases' gates made soldier life in Puerto Rico uncomfortable, said Maj. Gen. Alfred Valenzuela, who leads U.S. Army South.
AND MORE:
Navy will leave Roosevelt Roads
It is clear the U.S. Navy will eventually abandon Roosevelt Roads. In fact, CARIBBEAN BUSINESS has learned that immediate plans call for cutting back the naval station’s operations by 70% or 75% by 2004.
In light of these plans, Roosevelt Roads must be considered for a transshipment port. There is no doubt that only Roosevelt Roads offers the sea and land facilities needed for a true transshipment port in Puerto Rico, one that would be important both for the island and for the region.
Puerto Rico should also continue developing a second port facility, such as the Port of Ponce, to handle not only cargo but also cruise ships for the south coast (similar to what the Port of San Juan has done for the north coast). The south can’t continue to depend on cargo coming in through San Juan. What better reason for continuing to upgrade the Port of Ponce than the surging population growth in the south? This population demands an improved, modern port that is ready to meet the evolving needs of the region.
posted on May 7, 2003 08:32:22 PM new
In the Puerto Rico Herald 9-7-2002 a poll they took showed:
In last week's Herald reader poll, 68% of participants were open to the idea of a delay in the Navy's May 2003 projected withdrawal from its training facility on Vieques. Six of ten respondents of this persuasion called for an unconditional extension of time while four of ten predicated approval of any delay of Navy withdrawal on necessity. 30% of readers expressing an opinion wanted the Navy out of Vieques, on schedule, no matter what.
Other articles done on a google search show the closing of the base will have economic repercussions on their economy.
posted on May 7, 2003 08:39:53 PM new
Having been there, they can't close that base fast enough for me and also grant Independence to those "people"... good riddance to bad rubbish I say.
posted on May 7, 2003 09:02:49 PM new
So far what I'm reading is the end of training in May, NOT the closing of the facility. That apparently is still up in the air. If the people of the island want the training to stop, they should be prepared to accept the potential economic consequences.Looks like if they can develop Roosevelt Roads as a transshipment port, they'll be way better off in the long run. Not only will they not be on some government's dole, they won't have to wonder when the next errant shell will toast one of their children.
I don't think it's an urban legend, just the usual oversimplified stuff that gets forwarded and accepted verbatim.
If you can't answer a man's argument, all is not lost; you can still call him vile names.
- Elbert Hubbard
posted on May 12, 2003 10:46:18 AM new
Nothing has changed. The basic allegation of this report is this:
"The people of Puerto Rico (and the &#$! liberals - like George Pataki) wanted Vieques shut down ... now they're crying in their beer because Roosevelt Roads is going to close too! ... in other words ..."be careful what you ask for".
Well, that's just not true.
1. Roosevelt Roads is NOT scheduled to close. Yes, some people think it could be closed, including Vice Adm. Natter. But base closing is a very complex political dance, and the Navy doesn't have the final word. (They wanted to close the training center in Orlando for more than 10 years before it was actually recommended to be shut down.)Yes, the Navy is pulling some operations out. But it is not closing and will not close until Congress says so.
2. The people of Puerto Rico are not anywhere near as stupid as this makes them sound. I direct you back to that quote from the governor which was 100 percent made up. Natter was saying, well before the Vieques deal was struck, that he thought Roosevelt Roads would close as well ... Puerto Ricans were completely aware of the risks. This decision was not a surprise, to Gov. Calderon or to anyone else. The idea that Calderon would say "But we don't want Vieques to close" is simply insane.
The ironic thing is that you then quote some Puerto Ricans who would be happy to see the Navy leave entirely ... not grasping that you've just blown your own "crying in their beer" argument right out of the water.
There would, in fact, be short-term economic losses if the Navy left Puerto Rico. (Not to mention the huge strategic hole it would leave in the Atlantic command.) But this is PRIME beachfront property - a ton of it. The eventual boost to the local economy could far outweigh the loss of the base.
Of course, the best lies are always built on a few shreds of truth. The fact that snopes (not scopes) says it's "undetermined" refers to the question of whether Roosevelt Road will actually close or not. It can't be "determined" if that's true until the base closure commission meets in 2005.
Rumors about what the commission will or won't close are always rampant. The truth is that nothing is final until the commission meets (and sometimes not even then. The commission made two unsuccessful recommendations to close the Naval Training Center in Orlando, but it took three cycles before Congress authorized the closure.) Pick almost any base in the U.S. and you can find a few stories saying it's in danger of closing.
As far as that "truth or fiction" site goes, it's a pathetic joke. All it does it repeat the text of this email and then say "well, it appears to be true." I don't know how the editor can say "it appears to be true" because he clearly doesn't know anything about 1)base closures 2) Puerto Rico politics or 3) the fundamental task of discerning truth from fiction.
Compare that to Barbara and David Mikkelson's work on snopes, which is exhaustively researched and all the sources cited.
At the very least, we got bear1949 to actually check around a little bit to see if these outrageous rumors he posts are, in fact, true. It's a step, I guess.
posted on May 12, 2003 11:07:46 AM new
If it closes I will contribute to the local economy with the purchase of a nice little retirement condo on a stretch of that newly abandoned beachfront property.
posted on May 12, 2003 05:16:57 PM newNavy will leave Roosevelt Roads
It is clear the U.S. Navy will eventually abandon Roosevelt Roads. In fact, CARIBBEAN BUSINESS has learned that immediate plans call for cutting back the naval station’s operations by 70% or 75% by 2004.
Already U.S. forces are being redeployed to San Antonio, TX. No reason to stay in PR.
posted on May 12, 2003 05:29:59 PM new
Ah, yes. What do we keep all those pounds of federal law books (not to mention 500+ senators and House members sitting around eating their heads off) when we've got "Caribbean Business" magazine to declare The One and Only Truth?
The law is the law. Magazines don't get to close bases. The Navy doesn't get to close bases. Only Congress does.
And I notice that you've never once responded to the second inaccuracy, despite the fact that it's crucial to your story ... that Puerto Ricans were somehow surprised by this move. I want you to explain to me how Sila Calderon could have possibly said the quote that was attributed to her. Find one credible source that has her saying it, or anything like it.
posted on May 13, 2003 09:31:57 AM new
The U.S. military is subservient to the wishes of Congress and the President (who has been silent on the issue of Roosevelt Roads.) If they say "don't close the base" the military will have no choice.
Just to be sure, I went back and checked. I saw nothing in the above links that would indicate that Calderon ever said she didn't want Vieques to close. (That's Vieques,, not Roosevelt Roads.)
Another thing you keep ignoring, by the way - all the Republicans (like George W. Bush) who said the Vieques bombing should stop.
posted on May 13, 2003 01:21:56 PM newThe U.S. military is subservient to the wishes of Congress and the President (who has been silent on the issue of Roosevelt Roads.) If they say "don't close the base" the military will have no choice.
Apparently you are choosing to ignore the fact that Roosevelt Roads Naval Base is DIRECTLY tied to Vieques. Naval occupation of Roosevelt Roads exista only as a support function for Viesques island.
Since the United States has GIVEN Viesques (a property legally purchased by the U.S.) back to PR, the Navy has no need for a base in PR.
Congress CANNOT FORCE the Navy to stay in Roosevelt Roads.
Deployment of troops and ships are not controlled by congress. If the Navy discontinues staffing of Roosevelt Roads (like they are doing by transfering 75% of the troops to San Antonio, TX) it is economically unfeasable to keep financially supporting the base [b]just for the PR economy
Now Calderon wants the base to stay and in HER (quoted words):
“"The people of Puerto Rico don't have any interest in the closing of the Roosevelt Roads base," Calderon said. "The government of Puerto Rico is interested in that base staying in Puerto Rico , for all the economic benefits."
With all the base closings in the contential U.S., placing AMERICAN CITIZENS out of work, why would anyone but a left wing liberal advocate keeping a base open on an island that is openly anti American, chooses not to become the 51st state of the U.S. and only wants an American presence for economic purposes.
Let all those liberals explain wasting money keeping a Naval base open that isn’t being FULLYutilitized.
And for your obsession with President Bush, MAKE UP YOUR MIND. You cant have it both ways.
You stated: and the President (who has been silent on the issue of Roosevelt Roads).,
then you say
Another thing you keep ignoring, by the way - all the Republicans (like George W. Bush) who said the Vieques bombing should stop.
The issue of President Bush is a NON issue. No where did I claim the Bush wanted to keep Vieques.
The issue continues to be the closing of Roosevelt Roads.
