- description
- # Handwritten Notes Segment
## Overview
This entity is a text segment extracted from a larger document, identified as containing handwritten notes and related commentary. It spans lines 638 to 701 of the source file and was processed on January 27, 2026, by an automated structure extraction system. The segment includes both transcribed handwritten annotations and adjacent typed text discussing U.S. military training operations on the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico. It is part of the collection [More Classics](arke:01KFXT0KM64XT6K8W52TDEE0YS).
## Context
The content appears to derive from a presidential address or policy announcement concerning the phased withdrawal of U.S. Navy training activities on Vieques. The handwritten notes—positioned at the bottom right of the page—reference key themes such as a referendum, training limitations, and a potential vote by March 2001. These marginalia suggest active engagement with the policy text, possibly during drafting or review. The document reflects a political and social moment centered on balancing military readiness with environmental, health, and economic concerns in Vieques.
## Contents
The segment contains annotated policy directives: a five-year plan for Navy withdrawal, use of inert ordnance only during transition, a 50% reduction in training days (from 182 to 90 annually), and proposed community support measures including infrastructure development, environmental protection, and a Public Health Service Study. The handwritten notes emphasize contingency on a referendum, the possibility of an earlier end to training, and questions about resuming live-fire exercises. Cross-references to [Page 22](arke:01KG0GQ5E00QWJN8XETV945WJN), [Page 23](arke:01KG0GQ5JNH0RVSBJERVA5KGZV), and [Page 24](arke:01KG0GQ5K1SDG0GYZEYPMXMZR1) indicate this is part of a multi-page document addressing Puerto Rican stakeholders and congressional cooperation.
- description_generated_at
- 2026-01-27T20:04:58.705Z
- description_model
- Qwen/Qwen3-235B-A22B-Instruct-2507
- description_title
- Handwritten Notes Segment
- end_line
- 701
- extracted_at
- 2026-01-27T20:03:33.692Z
- extracted_by
- structure-extraction-lambda
- start_line
- 638
- text
- *Handwritten notes (bottom right):*
*look at directive — referendum*
*Contingent on relating training activity*
First, I’m ordering the Navy to cease training on Vieques within five years. I have asked the Navy to come up with a specific timetable to phase out operations there, and I am taking personal responsibility to make sure that key deadlines are met while I am President. We intend to begin transferring title to land to Puerto Rico as soon as possible — beginning with
*Handwritten notes (bottom right):*
*hires on the referendum
it may end sooner
war fys → question is whether Navy can resume like fire training —*
*Vote over next 18 months — March 2001*
<!-- [Page 22](arke:01KG0GQ5E00QWJN8XETV945WJN) -->
3
the western quarter of the island. I am also directing the Pentagon to give me alternatives to
Vieques training and begin to budget for it.
Second, I am ordering that the training done on Vieques during this transition period will be
limited to only inert ordnance – no live fire.
Let me emphasize: the Navy will be ready to leave within five years. Only inert ordnance
will be used in the transition period. Of course, if the people of Vieques decided to continue
a relationship with the Navy down the road, on the same or different terms, that is their right.
Third, while the Navy and Marine Corps will resume training on Vieques during the
transition period, I have cut in half the amount of time they will spend training. Last year,
our troops trained for 182 days on Vieques. Next year, they will be authorized for 90 days,
which is what we need to meet our essential training needs.
Finally, we will address the economic, health, and environmental concerns that the
community has had for so long. Measures we will implement include, among other things,
development of a new commercial ferry pier and terminal, an artificial reef to create new
commercial fishing areas, temporary compensation for fishermen, expanding and improving
roads, a bioluminescent bay preservation program, providing land to extend the airport
runway, and a Public Health Service Study. (To ensure these measures are taken -- and that
the missed opportunities of our 1983 agreement are not repeated -- I will ask the Pentagon to
establish a working group that will include senior officials representing the Secretary of the
Navy and the Secretary of Defense.) They will work with Vieques officials on all questions
relating to the use of the range and coordination of transition issues.
3
<!-- [Page 23](arke:01KG0GQ5JNH0RVSBJERVA5KGZV) -->
4
While this plan will ultimately meet Puerto Rico's goals, I recognize it will not do so as
immediately as some in the islands might have wished. But your voices have been heard,
and we are moving as quickly as we can. I believe this is a fair solution that will provide the
training necessary to ensure satisfactory Navy and Marine Corps combat readiness while also
ensuring the safety and well being of the people of Vieques.
To make this solution work, I need your help. I hope I can count on your cooperation to
implement the measures I have outlined to allow the training of our troops to continue in a
more responsible and much more limited manner during this transitional period while
addressing the real concerns of the residents of La Isla Nena (la EES-la NEN-ya).
Puerto Ricans and the people of Vieques have contributed greatly to our country's security.
And I am very grateful for that. I hope that all of us now can work together, with our
Congress, to implement this plan.
Thank you very much.
<!-- [Page 24](arke:01KG0GQ5K1SDG0GYZEYPMXMZR1) -->
- title
- Handwritten notes