|
 |
|
Para ver esta página en español, oprima aquí. Dow Jones International NewsUS Navy Exercises On Vieques Possible As Early As Jan 13
December 28, 2002 SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP)--The U.S. Navy informed Puerto Rico 's government Friday that it could begin a new round of bombing exercises as soon as Jan. 13 on the outlying island of Vieques . The latest round of maneuvers could go on for up to 29 days, the Navy said in its letter to the U.S. territory's government. Like previous military exercises, it could involve ship-to-shore shelling and air-to-ground bombing, although the Navy doesn't disclose details until maneuvers begin. Gov. Sila Calderon, who opposes the training, sent a letter to President George W. Bush on Friday calling the plan "patently offensive." Bush has pledged the Navy will leave Vieques by May 2003. Calderon and dozens of U.S. congressional representatives have urged Bush to put his promise in writing, as concerns mount that the U.S. could need the island as it prepares for a possible war with Iraq. The U.S. Navy, which now owns about one-third of the outlying Puerto Rican island, has used the bombing range for six decades to prepare for international conflicts. "I am extremely disappointed and concerned to have received this letter without receiving a written confirmation of the cessation of exercises," Calderon wrote to Bush on Friday. A security guard was killed on the range in 1999 by errant Navy bombs, and the military has used only dummy bombs in the maneuvers ever since. The last round of training was held on the Caribbean island in September. Demonstrators routinely break onto Navy lands to thwart the exercises, saying the maneuvers harm the environment and health of Vieques ' 9,100 residents. The Navy denies the claims. Earlier this month, a group of about 20 anti-Navy activists set up a protest camp on a barren key off the Vieques bombing range, and vowed to stay and protest any future Navy exercises. Key la Yayi, about 45 minutes by powerboat from Vieques , is open to the public year-round, except when the Navy is conducting exercises and the area falls under Navy-designated "danger zone." The Navy, however, is unable to interfere with the protesters since a May court decision confirmed the land was under Puerto Rican government jurisdiction, and not that of the U.S. Navy.
|