From: "benjamin ramos" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques P.O. Box 1424 Vieques, Puerto Rico 00765 (787) 741-0716 E mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 6 March Press Release Protests continue in Vieques The Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques (CRDV) announced the suspension of the 4th Embrace of the Military Fence, or Human Chain, scheduled for Sunday, March 11. Instead, a car caravan will be held to exhort the commuity to keep vigilant before the threat of new bombing practice in the near future. "We are happy with the decision to suspend March bombing. However, we will not lower the guard and will continue with constant pressure until we achieve the permanent cessation of all Navy activity in Vieques," expressed Nilda Medina, CRDV board member. The Vieques committee has coordinated with representatives of diverse sectors of the local community, from the main island of Puerto Rico and from the US, who will enter the Navy’s restricted zone if bombing is renewed. Protest actions will take place simultaneously in several continents to dramatize the situation of the people of Vieques – very high cancer case rate and other mortal diseases, high levels of unemployment, lack of control over ¾ of their land – as a consequence of the military presence and activity. Last October nine Viequenses, inclding an ex mayor, the Deacon of the Catholic Church, the vice president of the local merchants association, Viequense veterans of the Korean and Vietnam wars, spent twenty four hours in the bombing zone during NATO exercises. At their hearing held in Federal Court, the nine were accused of putting themselves and military personnel in danger by being in the impact zone during bombing. The action by the group of Viequenses caused serious problems for carrying out the rest of the military maneuvers. A larger group is prepared currently to enter into the impact zone if bombing is renewed on Vieques. "This is a struggle of our people. It is the government’s duty to defend our people against threats to our peace and security. But if the government shows itself incapable of confronting the Navy, our people have proven their capacity and determination to continue this struggle until the last consequences," said Ismael Guadalupe, one of the principal leaders of the Vieques struggle. Spokespersons for the CRDV exhorted the Viequenses to participate in the Caravan for Peace this Sunday, March 11th, beginning at 12 noon at Muñoz Rivera Street, to demonstrate the "determination of our people to continue this struggle until we achieve the demilitarization that will bring peace to our Island." Contact: Robert Rabin 787 741-0716 _________________________________________________ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki Phone +358-40-7177941 Fax +358-9-7591081 http://www.kominf.pp.fi General class struggle news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe mails to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Geopolitical news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] __________________________________________________
