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Orzulak
Paul, I added this plus suggestions on page 2. Jeff Parrow 65779
PRESIDENT WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON
VIDEO REMARKS TO THE
PEOPLE OF PUERTO RICO
CONCERNING NAVY TRAINING ON VIEQUES
JANUARY 31, 2000
My fellow citizens: last April, there was a tragic accident at the Navy range on Vieques. I
mourned the loss to the family of David Sanes (SAN-ness), and the suffering of the others
injured that day.
~~The accident was the straw that broke the camel's back regarding the tagged practices~~
That terrible accident focused attention on the longstanding concerns of the island about training
operations there. For many residents, it re-opened old wounds about the effect that training was
having on quality of life. 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.
At the same time, as Commander in Chief, I cannot send our servicemen and women into harm's
way if they have not been adequately trained. I know that Puerto Rico understands 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 with Vieques
training. It's no accident that our nation lost no pilots in Kosovo. The training they received
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 no comparable alternative. It would take some time to develop
At the request of Governor Rosello and Resident Commissioner Romero-Barcello, last year I
asked Defense Secretary Cohen to convene a panel and come up with recommendations for the
future of Vieques. That panel found that we have not always been good neighbors on Vieques
and recommended that we work toward replacing the island as a training site.
One voice that has not been heard from completely in this process are the people most directly
affected by this decision – the people of Vieques itself. That changes right now.
Today, I am announcing a course of action that will resolve the impasse over Vieques. This
course of action will not come from the top-down, but from the bottom-up. Ultimately, it will be
for you to decide for yourselves the course of action to take.
By the first day of March in 2002, Vieques will hold a vote. In that vote, you will be presented
with one of two alternatives. If you choose one alternative, the Navy will cease all training on
Vieques by May 1, 2003. If you choose the other, training will continue on Vieques, including
~~The people of Vieques will have a good idea of the island. They will not be imposed~~
~~the other 1 harrahou~~