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Para ver esta página en español, oprima aquí. Ashcroft To Review Arrest IncidentTrump Condemns PracticesNavy Wraps Up ExercisesAshcroft To Review ComplaintPresident Appoints 2 From P.R.Hillary Leads ChargeMedicare Funds In JeopardyDisappointed In Calderon’s Stance***** Ashcroft To Review Navy Complaint May 3, 2001 WASHINGTON (AP) -- Attorney General John Ashcroft said he would look into allegations that a congressman protesting naval bombing exercises in Puerto Rico was mistreated by Navy security officers who arrested him and others. Rep. Jose Serrano, D-N.Y., asked Ashcroft to inquire about an incident involving Rep. Luis Gutierrez, an Illinois Democrat who said that his feet were kicked out from under him while he was handcuffed and that he and others spent the night on the floor of a roofless ``holding pen'' that smelled of urine. The latest bombing exercises drew bitter demonstrations, and Gutierrez was among at least 180 protesters detained for intruding on the Navy training ground on Vieques. Gutierrez was arrested on a misdemeanor trespassing charge. ***** Trump Condemns Navy Practices On Vieques May 3, 2001 SAN JUAN (AP) - Businessman Donald Trump, owner of the Miss Universe franchise, condemned the U.S. Navy's military practices on Vieques. "This Vieques thing is an embarrassment," Trump said. "It is very sad what is happening to the people in Vieques, and I only hope that that situation is resolved as soon as possible so that the health and the environment does not keep suffering, because I know that Puerto Rico is beautiful." The multimillionaire also said when he travels to Puerto Rico for the Miss Universe pageant on May 11, he will seek opportunities to establish businesses here in the industries of real estate and tourism. The final night of the pageant is Friday, May 11, and along with the 77 aspirants to the crown, the main attraction of the event will be Puerto Rican pop star Ricky Martin. ***** Navy Wraps Up Vieques Exercises May 2, 2001 VIEQUES -- The Navy won't say whether more maneuvers are planned but after four days of blasting the 900-acre firing range with inert bombs and shells, the Navy on Tuesday ended its latest round of exercises, which have enraged residents and fueled off-island debate on whether the Navy should continue to use its prized bombing range. ``The end of this week's bombing by no means ends the situation,'' Gov. Sila Calderon said Tuesday. ``Until the Navy agrees to permanently halt all military exercises, I will continue to fight tirelessly for the human rights, health and welfare of the people of Vieques.'' ***** Ashcroft To Review Navy Complaint May 2, 2001 WASHINGTON (AP) -- Attorney General John Ashcroft said he would look into allegations that a congressman protesting naval bombing exercises in Puerto Rico was mistreated by Navy security officers who arrested him and others. Rep. Jose Serrano, D-N.Y., asked Ashcroft to inquire about an incident involving Rep. Luis Gutierrez, an Illinois Democrat who said that his feet were kicked out from under him while he was handcuffed and that he and others spent the night on the floor of a roofless ``holding pen'' that smelled of urine. The latest bombing exercises drew bitter demonstrations, and Gutierrez was among at least 180 protesters detained for intruding on the Navy training ground on Vieques. Gutierrez was arrested on a misdemeanor trespassing charge. ***** Bush Appoints Two Puerto Ricans May 2, 2001 SAN JUAN (AP) - President George W. Bush appointed the first Puerto Rican to a position of confidence within his administration. Consultant Jacob Lozada will be the assistant to the secretary of the Veteran's Affairs Office for the human resources and administration areas. He also appointed Hans Hertell, a Puerto Rico businessman, as ambassador to the Dominican Republic. Hertell is chairman of American Builders Corp., a general contractor in Puerto Rico. He lives in San Juan. As for Lozada, at the time of his appointment, he worked as an administration consultant for EDS enterprises in Virginia, where he lives. ***** Hillary Leads Charge To Suspend Exercises May 2, 2001 WASHINGTON - US Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton on Wednesday called for a "permanent and immediate end" to the US Navy exercises on Vieques island off Puerto Rico , arguing it was a matter of "simple justice." "It's not an issue about a little island off the Puerto Rico coast," the New York Democrat whose state has a large Puerto Rican community told reporters. "It's how we treat our fellow citizens, how we give dignity to our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico ." ***** Medicare Funds In Jeopardy May 2, 2001 SAN JUAN (AP) - Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA) said the recent events on Vieques may constitute an obstacle for obtaining the approval of a bill he presented to increase the formula used for the reimbursement of medical spending on the Medicare program, according to published reports. Santorum and Rep. Jim Greenwood (R-PA) filed bills in the U.S. House and Senate to increase the formula used for distributing the federal Medicare reimbursements to 75% of federal funds and 25% of state funds. Right now, the reimbursement formula is 50% of federal funds matched with 50% of state or local funds. Santorum sustained that "it's obvious some members of Congress will be less willing to help Puerto Rico due to the events related to the Vieques. Let me put it this way, it does not make it any easier for the bill to be approved." ***** Vieques Mayor's Wife Disappointed In Calderon's Stance By Proviana Colon Diaz May 1, 2001 VIEQUES - Only hours after Vieques Mayor Damaso Serrano had been arrested for trespassing on the U.S. Navy bombing range, his wife Nelly expressed her disappointment with Gov. Sila Calderon's stance in regards to the recent events in this island municipality. "I'm very disappointed in her [Calderon] because I believed she would be more energetic in asking the Navy to stop its bombing while the people were there [target range]," said Nelly. She added that by asking the people to calm down, as Calderon did in a message on Sunday, and saying that she did not support civil disobedience, the governor was not accomplishing anything. Calderon never set foot on Vieques and repeated that she does not support civil disobedience.
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