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Para ver esta página en español, oprima aquí. Vieques Land Transfer In Final Stages… Rodriguez Dissatisfied With Investigation Delays…Pentagon Reports Acknowledges End Of Exercises…Police Won’t Activate Vieques Riot Squad…Puerto Rican’s Grammy Nominees…NY Crowds Gather For Three Kings Day Parade
Government: Vieques Military Land Transfer In Final Stages January 8, 2003 SAN JUAN (AP) — La Fortaleza Chief of Staff Cesar Miranda claimed Tuesday that the government is in its final stage regarding the Vieques military land transfer. Miranda also said certification that the Navy secretary should present regarding alternate sites to the Vieques range is an indispensable requirement to achieve the cessation of maneuvers in Vieques and the transfer of lands. "The process is almost concluded," Miranda affirmed. The chief of staff, who refused to identify with whom he has been communicating regarding the matter, said Gov. Sila Calderon already has the names of the people who will be appointed to the committee in charge of dealing with the land transfer process.
Rodriguez Not Satisfied With Delays In Investigations January 7, 2003 SAN JUAN (AP) – Justice Secretary Anabelle Rodriguez stated she is not satisfied with the delay in which the Special Independent Prosecutor (SIP) panel and the Justice department have dealt with investigations. "The speed in which the cases have been investigated does not satisfy me," Rodriguez said. "I would expect that within the next few weeks or months we will be able to deal with the work pending at the Justice department," she added. Rodriguez also said not to be satisfied with the SIP decision of dismissing the charges presented against Popular Democratic Party Sen. Maribel Rodriguez, for alleged illegal appropriation of public funds. Judge Heriberto Sepulveda dismissed the charges because the SIP failed to follow the correct procedure to present the case, which would require a sworn statement that was never filed. The Justice secretary said the local Supreme Court is considering an appeal regarding the matter, and is confident that the court will issue a decision soon.
Pentagon Budget Reports Acknowledges Cessation Of Maneuvers In Vieques January 7, 2003 SAN JUAN (AP) – A Pentagon budget report issued on Dec. 20 2002 acknowledges that the U.S. Navy will not be using the Vieques target range beginning next May. According to published reports, the budget report was prepared by Pentagon Comptroller Dov Zakheim and would be the first confirmation that the Navy would indeed cease to use the Vieques range this year. Kevin Wensing, spokesman for Naval Secretary Gordon England said that the required certification for alternate sites to Vieques, to be handed to the President and the U.S. Congress could be presented next week. "The Navy will not be using Vieques as center of training beginning on May 2003, for which an alternate site to maintain the training needed by battle groups and aircraft carriers mobilized to combat will need to be found," indicates the report.
Police Won’t Activate Riot Squad In Vieques January 7, 2003 SAN JUAN (AP) – Police Superintendent Victor Rivera Gonzalez won’t activate the police squad to help in the surveillance of Camp Garcia during the upcoming military practices, scheduled to begin next Monday, in Vieques. However, Rivera Gonzalez said he would increase the number of police officers along the fence that separates Camp Garcia from the civilian population. The public official didn’t say how many agents would be sent to the island because he thought it would be inappropriate. Meanwhile, Rivera Gonzalez was expected to meet with police personnel this week. The superintendent said he supported the people’s right to freely express themselves, but warned them that his duty is to see that no laws are broken.
Puerto Ricans Nominated For Best Salsa And Merengue Grammy Awards January 7, 2003 SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) - Grammy voters recognized several Puerto Ricans on Tuesday, nominating them in different categories for salsa and merengue. Singer Marc Anthony, who renewed his wedding vows last month with former Miss Universe Dayanara Torres in San Juan; Manny Manuel; Grupo Mania and Limi-T 21 were the Puerto Ricans nominated for Grammy awards. Candidates for Best Salsa Album are Marc Anthony's "Libre;" Anthony Cruz's "Un nuevo amanecer;" Celia Cruz's "La negra tiene tumbao;" Maraca's "Tremenda rumba!" and The Spanish Harlem Orchestra's "Un gran dia en El Barrio." Candidates for Best Merengue Album are Grupo Mania's "Latino;" Limi-T 21's "Calle Sabor, esquina Amor;" Manny Manuel's self-titled album; Milly Quezada's "Pienso asi..." and Fernando Villalona's "Mal acostumbrado." The 45th Annual Grammy Awards are scheduled to be held at Madison Square Garden in New York on Feb. 23. The ceremony will be nationally televised. This year, there are 104 categories, up from 101 last year.
Despite The Snow, NY Crowds Gather For Colorful Three Kings Day Parade By DEEPTI HAJELA January 6, 2003 NEW YORK -- The weather outside may have been frightful, but the parade was still delightful. Despite the snow, East Harlem was alive with sound and color on Monday for the 26th annual Three Kings Day parade, sponsored by El Museo del Barrio. Children wearing paper crowns clapped and danced as marchers led by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and other elected officials strolled by and floats carrying singers and musicians passed along. They oohed and aahed as three camels, a couple of donkeys, some sheep and a horse were led by. "It's fun!" said 7-year-old Enisa DeJesus, ignoring the snowflakes landing on her face and jacket as she watched the parade with her classmates. Her teacher at P.S. 171, Neris Roldan, said she had been bringing her students to the parade for a few years. "It's a Latino tradition, I wanted to expose them to that," she said. The 3-year-olds in Sister Ann McGurty's nursery class at Saint Cecilia's had spent the morning pasting together their crowns before heading out to the parade. "We want to keep their traditions alive for them," she said of her mostly Latino students. Diana Perez, a spokeswoman for the museum, said the holiday was extremely important in the Spanish-speaking world. She said many people exchanged gifts on Three Kings Day rather than on Dec. 25. Felix Lopez, regional director of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration, was one of three community members asked to be one of the three kings for the parade. He said that while the religious significance may be receding since many Latinos celebrate Christmas in America, the day was important culturally. "It reminds us of a custom our parents and grandparents used to celebrate," he said. "It's one of the things that brings Latinos together."
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