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August 5, 1999
The Honorable William J. Clinton President of the United States
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington DC 20500-0005
Dear President Clinton:
I am writing on behalf of the National Council of La Raza (NCLR),
the largestHispanic constituency-based organization in the U.S., to
urge that the U.S. Navy cease all use of live ammunition permanently on
the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico.
Further, we support the Puerto Rican people in their demand for
an end to the U.S. Navy presence on Vieques. Congressional
representatives Dan Burton (R-IN), Luis Gutiérrez (D-IL),
José Serrano (D-NY), and Nydia Velázquez (D-NY),
Resident Commissioner Carlos Romero-Barceló, and a
growing number of members of Congress of both parties,
together with constituents in the U.S. mainland Hispanic community,
are united in the belief that Navy operations on the island of
Vieques constitute a clear and present danger to the 9,000
Puerto Ricans living on that island.
These U.S. citizens have a right to the same degree of respect
accorded to all Americans living in every other state and
territory of the union. The U.S. Navy does not have the right to
use live ammunition containing Napalm, or to conduct training
operations that routinely endangers the lives of U.S.
civilians living nearby.
For over 50 years, the Navy has conducted these
discriminatory practices on Vieques and the recent tragic
death of a civilian underscore that they must cease now. The
rationale that these exercises are somehow necessary for the
sake of "national security" is insufficient to justify endangering
the lives of U.S. citizens. These exercises recall the Tuskegee
experiments in their complete disregard for the lives of people of color.
There is a strong suspicion that, beyond the training exercises,
the Navy's presence in Vieques is harmful. For example, the cancer
rate in Vieques is 27% greater than that on the main island of Puerto Rico.
While a scientific causal relationship between the rate of cancer and
the chemicals dropped by the U.S. Navy on Vieques has yet to be
established, the higher rate suggests that there does seem
to be a close link that should be examined.
We strongly urge the U.S. Navy to cease all use of live
ammunition permanently on the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico.
Further, we support the Puerto Rican people in their demand for
an end to the U.S. Navy presence on Vieques.
If we can be helpful towards this end, we invite you to call on
us for additional assistance as necessary.
We appreciate your consideration of our views.
Sincerely,
Raul Yzaguirre
President National Council de la Raza
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Enrique Gili
Hispanic-American Village
The Minorities' Job Bank
http://www.minorities-jb.com/hispanic.htm