Vieques Decision Pleases Puerto Rican Governor

The commonwealth’s governor said Friday that she is pleased with the U.S. government’s decision to call off planned military training this month on Vieques, but that she will still seek a permanent halt to combat exercises on the Puerto Rican island.

Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said he ordered the Navy to suspend planned training on Vieques for members of the Enterprise battle group and a contingent of Marines. He made the decision after a private meeting Tuesday with Gov. Sila Calderon.

“It has been a very positive decision, about which I’m glad,” Calderon said. “I think that it will leave the opportunity for us to continue some discussions, which I hope will be productive and positive for the people of Puerto Rico.”

Calderon has cited health and environmental concerns in lobbying for an end to military exercises on the island, which has been used by the Navy for more than a half-century. The Navy has vehemently denied that its activities have caused any harm.

The Navy owns two-thirds of Vieques, including a bombing range that covers 900 acres--less than 3% of the island. The Navy says Vieques is vital for national defense because its geography uniquely allows for simultaneous air, sea and land maneuvers.

Opposition to the Navy’s use of the island intensified after two off-target bombs killed civilian guard David Sanes on the range in 1999. Demonstrators invaded the range, preventing exercises for a year until U.S. marshals forcibly removed them in May.

After the accident, the Navy agreed to use only inert ammunition and to limit training to 90 days a year, down from 180 days.

Calderon denied accusations from political opponents in Puerto Rico that U.S. officials had tried to pressure her to accept economic incentives in exchange for the resumption of live-fire training.

“No one, absolutely no one, has made me an offer of anything,” Calderon said.