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- 11/29/99 12:00 noon
Re-drafted by Orzulak
PRESIDENT WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON
VIDEO REMARKS TO THE
PEOPLE OF PUERTO RICO
CONCERNING NAVY TRAINING ON VIEQUES
NOVEMBER 29, 1999
My fellow citizens: Six months ago, there was a tragic accident at the Navy range on
Vieques. Hillary and I were greatly saddened by the loss to the family of David Sanes (SAN-
ness), and the suffering of the others injured that day. We remembered them in our prayers
on Thanksgiving.
That terrible accident focused attention on the longstanding concerns of residents of the
island about training operations there. These concerns cover a wide range of issues – from
safety and health to the economy and the environment. They reflect a distrust that,
unfortunately, has been building for decades.
The accident led to a strong view in the Commonwealth that the Navy should end its training
operations in Vieques. I understand that view. I understand how much those of you who live
near the firing range are concerned for your safety, and the safety of your children. I
understand the feeling that the people of Vieques will never be able to fully build their
economy or improve their quality of life if the situation doesn't change.
At the same time, as Commander in Chief, I cannot send American servicemen and women
into harm's way if they have not been adequately trained. I know that Puerto Ricans
understand that as well as anybody. Puerto Rico has a proud heritage of sending its sons and
daughters to serve in the Armed Forces of the United States. You have never turned your
back on your duty to share in the burden of defending our country. Some of you have even
trained on Vieques.
Since 1941, every action that our Atlantic fleet has been involved in started in Vieques first.
It's no accident that our nation lost no pilots in Kosovo. The training they received there
helped save lives. The reason this is such a difficult issue is because right now, some of this
training can only be done on Vieques. There is now comparable alternative. As President,
while I want to fix this problem as quickly as possible, as Commander-in-Chief I recognize
that we can't fix the problem overnight.
At the request of Governor Rossello and Resident Commissioner Romero-Barcelo, I asked
Defense Secretary Cohen to convene a group of distinguished citizens to come up with a plan
that addresses the concerns of the people of Vieques while meeting the national security
needs of our nation. The Panel found that we have not always been good neighbors on
Vieques and recommended that we work toward replacing Vieques in five years and reduce
training involving bombing to 130 days a year.
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