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2 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 no comparable alternative. 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 alternatives that address the concerns of the people of Vieques while meeting the national security needs of our country. 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. dated - old group - keep more open-ended - Appendix on a - Freedom Today, I am announcing a course of action that will end live fire on Vieques, and phase out training there. I will be directing the Defense Department to take concrete, and immediate steps to address the local community’s concerns, while also giving our armed forces the time they need to transition to an alternative training site. Let me be very clear: during the transition period, the rules are going to be changing. This isn’t just a change in policy – this is the beginning of a whole new relationship between our military and the people of Vieques. not change - Red Cross - Change - Deal with The plan has four parts. I want to thank the Secretary of Defense for working closely with me to develop it. look at directive - referendum Contingent on releasing 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 question is whether Navy can resume life for training Vote over next 18 months – March 2001

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