The Hispanic Coalition for Puerto Rican Self-Determination (the Coalition), joining with the millions of Hispanic members that we represent, support the Puerto Rican people in their opposition to the U.S. Navy's desire to continue bombing operations on the island of Vieques. For the compelling reasons outlined in this letter, we hold that the cessation of all bombardment of the island is in the best interests of the Puerto Rican people and should be the policy of the U.S. Government.

We hold that the real cause of the Vieques controversy is rooted in colonial conditions under which the 3.9 million American citizens of Puerto Rico have lived for more than a century. For this reason, we renew our demand that the Congress provide a mechanism for the people of Puerto Rico to choose a permanent political status. The 105th Congress failed to provide a process authorizing a plebiscite in Puerto Rico that offered congressionally-approved status options. In our view, that failure was an abrogation of legislative responsibility and a breach of faith, not only with the American citizens of Puerto Rico, but also with the 34 million Hispanic Americans living in the mainland who identify with the plight of their fellow Hispanics on the island.

At the same time, we strongly repudiate the recent drumbeat of disparagement of Puerto Rico emanating from some congressional offices. Defamation of the island's people is too often noted in committee hearings and press releases issued by some members of Congress, particularly the Senate. Such denigration of the loyal and patriotic people of Puerto Rico is yet another example of the stereotyping of Hispanics that our organizations fight vigorously, in public fora and at the ballot box.

Our greatest concern is that there are some who are advocating punitive measures against Puerto Rico, such as retaliatory closure of other military bases on the island, should its government reject conditions for Vieques preferred by the U.S. Congress. In no other place on American soil does the U.S. military conduct comparable live-fire exercises so close to U.S. citizens as it does on the island of Vieques. Puerto Rico is exercising its legitimate right to protect the safety of the 9,300 inhabitants living in close proximity to the impact area. To make matters worse, the U.S. Navy launches airborne ordinance at tactical altitudes over the range (above 18,000 feet), increasing the likelihood of lethal accidents to civilians. In its other ranges, the Navy limits bombing to low- altitude sorties, in order to preclude collateral damage.

As the debate on the Vieques issue proceeds in the Senate, the undersigned urge members to recognize the legitimate root causes of Puerto Rican protest of the Navy's practices. They should also realize that this protest is coming from people who, like other Hispanics, have consistently rallied to our nation's need in time of conflict. Since 1917, when Puerto Ricans became U.S. citizens, more than 200,000 Puerto Rican men and women have served in the uniform of our nation and some 2,000 have died in combat. Four of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country were recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor. Puerto Ricans do not need to hear messages from Congress bearing on personal sacrifice or loyalty to the nation. The message that they have every right to expect is one conveying understanding of their present grievances and gratitude for their past and current contributions to our nation. Any expression of disparagement or censure of Puerto Rico or its residents by congressional members or staff will be treated by Hispanic Americans as an insult to all of us.

Vieques is but 52 square miles in size - roughly the same as the District of Colombia - and the U.S. Government owns 2/3rds of its total acreage. The record shows that for the fifty-nine years of the Navy's use of its parcels, it has been a neglectful and sometimes reckless occupant. The terrain is strewn with unexploded ordinance and, in some areas, littered with depleted uranium-tipped radioactive shells. The EPA, alarmed by the damage to Vieques' wetlands and to rare ocean turtle nests, has found the Navy in violation of environmental requirements. Of even more concern is the disproportionately high cancer rate found among the civilian population in close proximity to the range (plus 29%). By the sworn admission of its highest ranking officers, the Navy has ignored agreements made in its 1983 Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Puerto Rico, has reneged on monetary obligations and has brushed aside opinions expressed by the local population.

Those members of Congress and committee witnesses so quick to decry the island's ardent and public protest of the Navy's misfiring accident, in which one island resident was killed and four injured, should understand its underlying causes. Our fellow citizens of Puerto Rico have no Constitutional means to redress government injuries suffered. They lack the congressional representation that any one of the 50 states of the Union could call upon in such a conflict. If it were an independent country, some treaty between sovereign powers would govern the U.S. Navy's use of the controversial military base. In either of these hypothetical cases, the Navy's cavalier attitude towards agreements would not be tolerated and corrective action would have been taken before the occurrence of any such accident and the subsequent reaction to it by the Puerto Rican people.

As an unincorporated territory of the United States, Puerto Rico falls under the authority of the U.S. Congress, which must take ultimate responsibility for the policies and practices of all government agencies operating within the territory. It is the Congress that failed to monitor the Navy's agreements, failed to prevent the environmental damage done to the land, failed to insure the safety of the affected American citizens. More basically, the U.S. Congress has, by its inaction, denied to those American citizens the fundamental right of self-determination. Only when they are on equal footing with all other citizens can the people of Puerto Rico effectively petition their government for a redress of grievances. Only when they are provided with congressionally authorized permanent political status options can the island electorate register its preference for a dignified future status.

It is time for Congress to meet its responsibilities to the disenfranchised and long-suffering people of Puerto Rico. It is not too late to stop the growing alienation of 3.9 million U.S. citizens living on the island.

Sincerely,

Rick Dovalina, President, League of United Latin American Citizens
George Herrera, President U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Francisco Ibarra, National Commander American G.I. Forum
Andres Tobar, Executive Director, National Association of Hispanic Publications
Al Zapanta, Chairman, National Hispanic Policy Forum