DEDICATION

We dedicate this small offeringto the people of Vieques, as anexpression of support, solidarity,and commitment on the part of theNational Ecumenical Movement ofPuerto Rico (PRISA), whichintegrates the efforts of peoplewho, from the point of their faith,are involved in the search foralternatives which would producethe religious, political, andsocial changes necessary forliberation in Puerto Rico,

prisa international no. 6

photos by sandra reusand priscila curet

printed in bayamon, pr 1981.

contents

introduction ................................... 1

Vieques in the World Panorama .................. 3

Voices From ViequeS ........................... 29

Theological Reflection ........................ 55

Resolutions of the Churches ................... 63

U.S. Navy Documents ........................... 88

INTRODUCTIONHere we present to you the second edition ofthe document Vie and Christians,purpose of depw--ic-

with thecommits us tostruggle in order to transform situations ofinjustice and oppression into another: of justice,equality and solidarity.

It is important for Christians to be alertso that we do not choke the truth which grows from"the surface of the Waters" being moved by thecontradictions in which our people live. It isall too frequent that the tendency can be observedon the part of many Christians to take manyprecautions in order not to stain themselves withpolitics. It is precisely this weakness which theenemy uses as a weapon to Strangle the cry ofhope and solidarity the cry of a peoplealready marching towards the construction ofjustice and peace.

Each one of us who recognize ourselveshonestly as Christians, is nevertheless called toanalyze carefully our expressions of faith and tochannel them into committed practice.

It is necessary to say that Christians whodistance themselves from the problems which affecttheir Puerto Rican brothers and sisters, as ifthose problems had nothing to do with them, couldnot be considered as members of the bQdy of Christ.

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The moment arrives when, with honesty and

courage, we must face up to the judgement which

confronts us daily in the Gospel:

That which you have done (or not d6ne)to the least of your brethren, that you have

done to me. (Matthew 25)

For that reason we asK: What have you done to,

or for your brothers of Vieques, from whom the U.S.

Navy has stolen their land? And what have you done

for your brothers who suffer daily the consequences

of the presence of the Navy, which uses their land,

cracks the walls of their houses, kills fish, and

violates the dignity of the people by using the sons

of Vieques as target of their actions?

The reaction of Christians cannot be like that

of Cain: "Am I my brother’s keeper-?" or, "I on].y

have time for my. life and my problems."

When each one cares for his life only, it is

then when Christians find themselves in a tight

place. The very human struggle demands that we

clearly define the reasons of our faith. There is

no such thing as an individual Christianity. There

is only Christianity of community, which is the same

as to say, -Christianity of the People."

Idall RuizGeneral CoordinatorNational EcumenicalMovement of P.Ro

(PRISA)

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viequesin the world panorama

by Kristina Eppler

Not so very long ago, the earth numberedtwo thousand million inhabitants: five hundredmillion men, and one thousand five hundred millionnatives. The former had the Word; the othershad the use of it. Between the two there werehired kinglets, overlords and bourgeoisie, shamfrom beginning to end, to serve as go-betweens.In the colonies the truth stood naked, but thecitizens of the mother country preferred it withclothes on...

Jean-Paul Sartre(Intro to The Wretched of the Earth)

Jos Torres invited his guests into the small,neat, wooden house. A soft-spoken man of mediumheight, with a young face, modest manner, and adirect gaze, he spoke quietly, because the babywas sleeping. The tiny white bundle moved slightly,the infant’s newborn face hidden in folds offlannel.

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The topic of conversation was human rights.

"Well," said Mr. Torres, "We have very

little of that here...

A s].ight breeze stirred the air in the growing

heat of late morning in the central mountains of

Puerto Rico. Just outside the battered and

ill-fitting door to the Tortes’ rented home, the

red dirt of a scarred mountainside proclaimed the

ininent installation of a large highway. Once

completed, it would leave no room for the simple

wooden structure.

x]ained that he would.soon move

Mr. Porres e imi]arhouse not fgr,.ith his family to anqnn,a-[ his one less tan[- qus as they had moveu

--rts of PuertO

si months before In the rura

RICO, the economi condition of te Tortes family

is described in the local vernacular as,which means that they are tenantS of a large

landowner.

The new highway will increase the value of

the land for an engineer who lives in San Juan,

at the expense of the poor who live on his

property. Latifundist practices such as this

serve the colonial interest in the countryside,

maintaining dependent social structures and

n ossible campesinO movement.Drohibltlng a P r) in this

hire for t|?e arO colonialismLatin mnerlcan narO?_u security andis a hopeless strugg-

survival

From the cool, mist-green mountains

surrounding the town of Jayuya, where the meeting

with the Torres family took place, it seems a

great distance to the small island-municipalityof Vieques, located just off the east coast ofthe main island. Yet the distance is Superficial,for the struggle of Vieques stems from the samemalady colonialism. A difference is that inVieques, the truth is all the morbecause of the d=-.... e naked, and-nu organlzation of thepeople there, the "mother Country" is no longerable to keep it respectably Clad...

Th___e Legacy of Col6nialismThroughout the islands of the Caribbean,as in all the Third World, the historical Streakof commonality that helps to define the strugglesof the region is the experience of colonialism.Many Caribbean nations are now politicallyindependent, or are in various stages of attainingthat independence from the original colonizingpowers. Their SOvereighty is possible not becauseof the generosity of imperial pOwers, butprimarily by historical changes in the globaleconomy which made their possession by thosepowers unprofitable or unaffordable, and throughpressure from anti-colonialist movements whichexisted and which Continue in every nation withoutexception.

The present Struggle in the Caribbean is totransform patterns of social, economic and culturalformation imposed by as much as four centuriesof foreign domination. This period included theStage of mercantilist expansionthe late 17th to the Spannlng roughlvn Centuries. It was durnthls tme that the colonies were of the greatestg

economic and Strategic importance to the variousmetropoles, be they England, France, Spain, oHolland.

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Puerto Rico in this respect shares the

profound complexity of the colonial legacy,

but with an additional burden, a double yoke.

For after four hundred years of colonialism

under: Spain, the island wa "re-colonized" by

tile United States is that nation was beginning

its ascent as a global imperial power.

Political and Ideological Domination

In short, even in the 20th century,

co].onialism .emains as one of the most brutal,

dehumanizing strategies of an imperialist nation

to increase and maintain its wealth and

It functions on the basis of the domination of

,-a whole l,eo[)]e politically, culturally, and

ideologically and the subsequent dependence

of those co]onized for the purpose of economic

exploitation.

Terms such as "Free Associated State" and

"Commonwealth," used to describe the political

status of l?uerto ]Rico ]lave served their ptrpose

well as a distraction from this reality.

Nevertheless, in the last several years consensus

has grown in all sectors of the population as to

the unquestionable colo%ia], condition, and

significant gains have been achievedinternationally, especially in []nited Nations’

resolutions calling for de-colonization.

The cultural state of siege initiated with

the military invasion of ].898 c6ntinueS to

intensify. Culture, as the primary medium of

ideological formation for any people, is

manipulated skillfully through the media,

imposition of English and promotion of North

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American traditions alien to Puerto Rico in theschools. This destruction is manifested mostrecently in the systematic "North Americanization"of the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture, whichin the past has been the single influentialchannel for promotion of Puerto Rian traditions,history, literature, and valhes allowed to thepeople by the colonizer. Administrators of theinstitute who describe the situation of the nationfirmly within an anti-imperialist, "Third World"context have been replaced by individuals whosepositions are less "political" and moreaccomodating to the interests of those who wouldannex Puerto Rico to the United States as the51st state, sealing the doom of her culturalheritage.

Economic Exploitation

Ideological domination through this processof "americanization,, is key to North Americancorporate interests. Puerto Rico continues toprovide a haven for North American industries,with cheap, largely unorganized labor, and freeof strict tax and environmental protection laws.The dumping of U.S. surplus products on thePuerto Rican market, combined with the completeban on trade with other countries, while lucrativefor the United States, also insures thestrangulation of indigenous agriculture. Thisrelationship serves the maintenance of "pricelevels" in the United States, levels ofunemployment and exploitation of the consumerand worker in both nations, and.a state ofdemoralization among a dwindling number of farmersand other rural workers such as the Torres amilyin Jayuya.

Economic activity p rmltted" in Puerto Ricoby the U.S. bears little or no relationship tothe needs of the people. The heaviest, mostpolluting industries, such as pharmaceuticals(the largest concentration of such companies inthe world), oil refining (third largest globalconcentration) and petrochemicals occupy vastareas of flat and fertile ].and, contaminatingsoil, subsoil, rivecs and the sea with toxicwaste, drying underground springs and surroundingsoils, consuming tremendous amounts of energy,and due to a high degree of specialization,generating minimal employment. Puerto Ricanfishermen and farmers alike are w@tching theirlivelihood dwindle from year to year, consumedby a chemical monster that is destroying theenvironment in the names of a multitude of NorthAmerican trans-national corporations. Soon tobe among these are U.S. copper companies hungryto exploit mineri], deposits of the centralmountains, which once were rich in tobacco andcoffee.

Structures of Repression

An elaborate complex of repression aids themaintenance of economic and ideological control.A web of security systems covers Puerto Rico likea blanket of iron mail. The U.S. Federal Bureauof Investigation (FBI) participates actively intraining of police personnel and special forces,and assists aprivate organization called"Security Associates" which, among other activities,has been known to hire out thugs to multi-nationalcorporations for strike-breaking purposes. Withtile supposed collaboration of the U.S. CentralIntelligence Agency (CIA), the FBI also mandates

and directs surveillance of the independence

and labor movements. The Puerto Rican National

Guard is recruited openly by the U.S. military,

carries out regular training maneuvers on

special bases around the island, an.d all branches

of the U.S. military hold recruiting activities

in high schools and maintain’ROTC branches in

the universities. Seven active military bases

ring the island, complete with Army and Navy

intelligence units in regular communication

with the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.

This repressive complex reflects that which

the United States has established internationally

to protect the investments of its corporations

in all parts of the world. As we will see in the

brief historical analysis to follow, these

"security measures" form part of a strategy

to preserve the capitalist system which, in

recent years, wallows in the mud of ever-deepening

crisis.

The "Global Police Force .... Militarism and

Ideological Manipulation

At the Bretton Woods Conference in 1944,

the United States was recognized internationally

as an economic leader, in the wake of Britain’s

decline as a global power. at followed this

recognition was the inevitable emergence of that

nation as a military leader as well, whose power

came to be expressed concretely in the domination

of the major military alliances which followed

the War the North Atlantic Treaty Organization

(NATO), the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization

(SEATO), and the Central Treaty Organization

(CENTRO), replacing the old military networks

that had existed in France and England.

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Further, in the post-war years, through

what is still communicated to North American

and Puerto Rican school children as an active

epression of the humanitarian ideals "upon which

America is build," i.e., the Marshall Plan and

other financial subsidies to Western Europe and

Japan, those nations were rebuilt to be an

ideological bulwark against the spread of

socialism.

The resistance to fascism in Europe and Asia.

that was finding expression in the development of

political movements with alternative ideologies

was stifled for a time by the power of American

economic and military influence. In the United

States, through the same mechanisms which

dominate the Puerto Rican people today the

media, educational system, the Church the

collective consciousness was manipulated in such

a way that resistance to fascism became equaed

with resistance to socialism and communism,

or any socio-economic-political analysis based

on Marxian thought. The result has been that

for most North American, "democracy" is defined

chiefly in terms of the "right" to free enterprise

and private property.

Internationally, North American military

policies gained global predominance in the post-

war years, seeking to contain the international

socialist movement through the establishment of

what is, en effect, a global police force. This

is notable in the existence of U.S. military

bases in Western Europe, Japan, and especially

in Puerto Rico and the Philippines.

Most recently, this objective is apparent

in the profusion of pervasive and powerfully

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repressive national intelligence agencies,trained and designed by the U.S.C.I.A.* Inaddition, the U.S., through its Public SafehyProgram (of the U.S. Agency For InternationalDevelopment) has trained police forces ofrepressive governments throughout Latin A/nericaand the Caribbean in techniques of surveillance,sabotage and assasination, and the CIA hastraiDed mercenaries to fight against genuineand broad-based people’s movements in Angola,South Africa, and Vietnam, to invade Cuba andE1 Salvador, and has accumulated a shameful listof crimes against Third World peoples, fromdestabilization of rightfully ruling governments,assasination of popular leaders, staged coupd’etat’s, to the encouragement of outrightmilitary intervention with the blessing of theWhite House and the U.S. State Department.

In these "post-war" decades, immoralactivities such as these have kept the groundclear for mhltl-natlonal corporations whose rootsgradually reached d4ep into the veins of theThird World. To corporate heads, their powerfullobbies in.Washington and their "connections"in Congress, the State Department and the military,the "protection of investments" became equatedwith the international maintenance of "law andorder."

*These include SAVAK, of the Shah’s days in Iran,the Korean Centrantelllgence Agency (KCIA),DINA in Chile, and others.

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The Caribbean/Central American Connection

In the decade of the seventies, developments

occured on the international scene which are

significant to this discussion. First of all,

the absolute power of the United Stateseconomically and militarily, is no longer assured,

due to the growing strength and subsequent

rivalry of the Western European nations and Japan.

Second, a series of historical events in

the Third World are bending the steel of the

global power structure. Examples are the triumph

of popular forces over fascist rulers in countries

such as Iran, Nicaragua, Grenada, Mozambique and

Vietnam. Also, the Non-Aligned Movement

represents a force which, within the United

Nations, calls some attention to the rising

contradictions in the capitalist system.

Presently, the United States, through the CIA

and State Department, is concentrating its energies

brutally in Central America and the Caribbean,

adding the names of Guyana, E1 Salvador, Honduras,

Guatemala and Jamaica to the repertoire of bloody

and/or corrupt regimes it supports. The aim:

to prevent the spread of popular movements,

which nevertheless present daily challenges to

dehumanization and exploitation.

Puerto Rico, because of its geographicalposition and as a colony of the U.S., is of prime

strategic importance to U.S. military policy.

It is an important factor in what seems to be

the Reagan/Bush/Haig policy to detain through

whatever brutal means necessary the spread of

non-capitalist development in the Thigd World.

This strategy is in direct and fundamental

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right to self-determinatinvio.latlO of_hco independence. dy

Puertoand (in ritten with horrronouncementS he Salvadoran people,larity In the b].oo

-t in attempts to

nd continue to be spe+/-+/-uRican society which

repress all sectOrS of Puerto

define a socialist position, which advocate

independence, or which expreSS anti-military

sentimentS.

with ths extensive introduction, we noW

turn to a discussion of ViequeS, a chapter of

Puerto Rican history Which is a graphic testimony

to the dehumanization wrought by colonialism-

The Usu[aOnT---e om of Vieques once was based on

sugar-cane productiOn- A handful of large

landowners held most of the wealth, and a great

"ved as Jos Tortesf Viequenses Ii ,,.., inhabitants of

numm --.t farmerS. u d wlthagre_, as u,h= hey lved smpy

t--island attesu ..... t

dignity.

ViequeS is naturally beautiful and was rich

in arable land and fresh water. Once the sea

surrounding it was literally full of fish that

could be caught even in the shallows close to

shore. As many tenant farmers alSo greW coconutS,

bananaS, and vegetableS for their own consumption,

food supply was adequate even for those who were

not monetarily wellfff"

However, in 1938 the people of the tiny island

were made aware of their real powerlessness with a

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shock from which the entire population isrecovering only now. Because of the colonialrelationshi with the United States, Puerto Ricohas never been free to trade with any other Country,and yet neither was the Sugar produced in Viequesand on the main island ever in demand by the motherCountry. The market at best was uncertain, pricesunpredictable, and the Small Viequense Sugarindustry suffered during the 1930’s. Landownersthere grew doubtful of its Continued profitability.To the United States Navy, the cloudy futureof the SUgar industry proved very convenient fortheir Strategy regarding the Caribbean. Between1938 and 1945, in collaboration with the internalgovernment of Puerto Rico and the latifundia ofVieques, the Navy succeeded in acquiring 26,000of the island’s 33,000 acres for its exclusiveuse, leaving only 7,000 acres at the center tothe Viequense people.

Owners of large amounts of land on the islandWere easily persuaded to sell, in the light of lowSugar .pices agd the l.mmlence of World War If.In the increasng patrotlc eer.Rlcan politicians bhrla.f that tlme,crlrlcina V,, * convlnced that= o ne American military wasin the interests of the national security of theUnited States. The injustice of expropriatingthousands of poor Puerto Ricans from their homeswith less than ten days prior notice was COveredOVer with promises of jobs and economic prosperityto be brought by the building of two militarybases on the eastern and western ends of theisland.

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U,S. Marine Corps in amphibious assault on Blue Beach, Vieques during"Ocean Venture ’81" activities.

Under the "Golden Heel" .of the U.S. Navy

From that time until today more than forty

years life on Vieques has been that of a

territory occupied by the most powerful and

militaristic nation on earth. Viequenses subsist

within "a World Far II that never ended."Particularly during the 195Q’s when American

military leaders designed and delegated policy,

gripped by an irrational fear of war with theSoviet Union, the U.S. Army and Marine Corpsconducted huge maneuvers on the island several

times a year. According to newspaper stories from

that time, as many as 90,000 soldiers "invaded"

the tiny island at once, using it and the civilian

population as a backdrop for a make-believe war.

While prostitution flourished, drunken Marines

on leave filled the streets, and the local laws

were literally subordinated to the power of the

military presence, the consciousness of the

Viequense people began to develop. Preludes to

organized resistance found expression in gangsof youths who defended themselves and their

families against the outrages committed by arrogant

soldiers. The 1950’s was a time of danger: it was

unsafe for women to walk the streets alone for fear

of rape and sexual harassment, beaches were

littered with unexploded bombs and live grenadeswhich killed and wounded Viequenses many of them

children. Marines who broke into homes or

otherwise destroyed property went unpunished.

The jobs promised by the military authorities

proved temporary, and from the mid-1940’s on,

unemployment was always high. Farming was

impossible in such a small area, with the result

that fishing began to develop as a commercial

industry. It was among this group of rugged and

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hard-working Viequenses that the seeds of an

’e against the militaryorganized reslstancpresence began to germinate, for not only did

the Navy restrict the people from their land,

but they also restricted the waters around the

island. The fishermen found that not only did

they have to struggle against bad weather, and

rough water, but against battleships, helicopters,

and the unexploded bombs littering the sea-bottom.

Recollections of Viequenses about the

treatment meted out by the U.S. government when

the Navy took up residence are reminiscent

more of the dictatorial practices of fascist

regimes than of a country laying claim 6o granting

its people more freedom than any other nation

in the world. From the beginning the people

knew only arrogance and disrespect from the

military. As one vct/m noted, "The attitude

of the Navy was as if the people of Vieques

were .[es than human

Presently, great, amounts of ammunitions and

weapons are stored in hollowed-out mountainS on

the western end of the island, which are

transported from Roosevelt Roads Naval Station

on the main is].and, or use in daily operations,

and presumably for use of the NATO fleet as well[,

in any conflict involving Africa, or Central

or South America.

On the eastern end of the island there is

a simulated airfield with old aircraft, remote

controlled tanks, and other simulated equipment

the site of very serious war "games" involving

naval gunfire, "close air support" and

air-to-ground exercises. Nearby is the artillery

"impact area" which is used by ships practicing

long range gunnery. Finally, here areamphibious exercises. For these purposes, thebest fishing grounds are restricted to the use ofthe Navy., This has resulted in many accidentsinvolving Viequenses, the destruction of theproperty of poor fishermen, as well as theinsecurity and underdevelopment of the fishingindustry.

Growth of Resistanc

Military presence on Vieques has the effectof making a peaceful people into accomplices inWar preparations. More than thirty years of suchinjustice have not gone unprotested; Over theyears many demonstrations have occured against themilitary presence on Vieques. These protestsachieved a greater degree of organization in 1964when the Navy proposed the expropriation of 1500additional acres of land. A citizen’s committeeon the island, picket lines at the gates of theeastern base, Camp Garcia, and press support onthe main island had great impact on the ultimatedefeat of the plan.

In 1972, on the nearby island of Culebra,which the Navy also used for bombing practice,the" Culebrans organized and the Navy was forcedout. But in the years following, V’equensesnoticed th Stealthy yet definite increase ofbombing activity on their island. Before long itwas evident that the military had done preciselywhat it had claimed it would not do: it had simplytransferred its Culebra operations to Vieques"In February 1978, the situation exploded. Thefishermen made the first .move. As warships from the

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Carlos Zenon ("Taso"), President of the Vieques

Fishermen’s Association.

United States, West Germany, Venezuela, Canada,Brazil, and Holland gathered off the southeast coastof Vieques to begin NATO maneuvers entitled Readex1-78 of ’Operation Springboard, a flotilla of 40fishing boats set out from the village of Esperanza,headed for the restricted area. They formed ablockade of 25-foot fishing boats directly in frontof the huge battleshs, and forced the cancellationof the event.

The Battle Joined

The Vieques Fishermen’s Association is thevanguard of a broad-based people’s movement on theisland. The action which took place in February1978 was significant, dramatic, and received thesupport of much of the population of Vieques, andof the main island as well. Following thefishermen’s iniciative, the Crusade To RescueVieques was formed, which for the past three yearshas been growing steadily, workinq together withthe Fishermen’s Association against the Navy. Thepeople want the Navy to leave Vieques, and theyunderstand that their struggle will be a long one.

Initial response of the Navy to the people’sretaliation amounted to an attempt at psychologicalmanipulation of the population through publicrelations tactics. In 1979, a Navy document wasobtained entitled "Community Action Plan." In thispaper the Navy revealed their intention to increasetheir constituency on Vieques, heighten thevisibility of their community relations efforts,and to propogandize extensively in Puerto Ricoabout "the requirement of Navy and Marine Corpstraining on Vieques."

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The nine-page plan outlines the intention to

affect all sectors of the population, through

sponsorship of youth organizations, sports teams

for young children, tutorial services for hig

school "slow ].earners," organization of an adu].t

education program, and work with senior citizens.

In addition the Navy proposed to build a community

center, and "arrange for mobile medical/dental

assistance team periodic visits."

These proposals were significant, because

many of what are termed "social problems" exist

on Vieques. The lack of community facilities,

high-shool drop-outs, increasing drug abuse, poor

medical services, breakdown of the family structure,

high unemployment rate (estimated at 68 70%),

are all problems which have developed since the

arrival of the Navy in 1940. The confined area in

which people must live, the lack of opportunitiesfor employment, of alternatives for young people,

the constant presence of war preparations, and fear

of accidents from bombs, are responsible for a

severe deterioration of the social structures of

the community. In view of these, the Navy’s"Community Action Plan" is revealed as a cruel

military tactic designed to dominate, divide, and

distract the people from their objective, dissolving

their militancy and increasing their dependence on

the military.

Response From theEmire: Repression

Presently, the Navy continues trying to

implement their "Community Action Plan." One of

their primary agents is a "Community Liason

Officer," who lives on Vieques. Wearing the mask of

a public relations man, this individual has as one

of his tasks.the job of collecting intelligence

about the activities of Viequenses. He reports to,

and his orders are received directly from the office

of the Commander of U.S. Naval Operations for theCaribbean in Roosevelt Roads Naval Station, P.R.*Another of his responsibilities is to promote theNavy’s presence in Vieques.

The Navy has been fairly unscrupulous intheir choice of individuals for this position.Former liason officer Alex de la Zelda wasarrested by the FBI in 1980 for conspiring to blowup a 9-passenger plane of the small airline thatruns between Vieques and San Juan’s Isla GrandeAirport. He was helped in this by right-wingCuban exiles. The military, dutifully embarrassedby the terrorist activities of De la Zelda, kepthis trial a very low-key, small-press affair.Strangely, in spite of overwhelming evidence againsthim, delinquent De la Zelda was acquitted, andquietly re-assigned.

In contrast, protestors against the Navy havereceived quite different treatment. On May 19,1979, twenty-one people were arrested whileconducting a religious service on a restrictedbeach in Vieques. For the most part, theyreceived maximun sentences, and those jailed weretransferred to Federal prisons in the United States,a practice highly out of the ordinary for amisdemeanor such as trespassing.

One of the "Vieques 21", Angel RodriguezCrist6bal, was mysteriously killed in his jail cellin Tallahassee, Florida. Prisoners of adjoiningcells, who claimed they had heard blows and sounds

*Present Commander is Rear Admiral Ralph M. Hedges,former commander of the Atlantic Fleet, who replacedRear Admiral Arthur Knoizen in the spring of 1981.

23

of struggle during the night of his death, were

hastily transferred to prisons in other parts of the

United States. An "investigation" conducted by the

office of then U.S. Attorney General Benjamin

Ciiletti concluded that the cause of death was

suicide.

Rodriguez was found hanged in his ce11, with

bruises on his body and a gash on his forhead

extending to his left eye. Doctors retained by his

family stated that the blows to the head would

most assuredly have caused unconsciousness, and

many could not possibly have been self-infllcted.

Lawyers pointed out the unlikelihood that a sane

man such as Rodriguez, serving only six month’ssentence, with a family waiting for him in Puerto

Rico, would commit suicide, after first beating

himself up.

The fishermen of Vieques continue to face

reprisals and setbacks at the hands of the

authorities. A civil suit brought by them against

the Navy, after dragging on since 1978, was

transferred to Norfolk, Virginia early this year,

a decision made by Federal Judge Juan B. Torruella,

a now famous enemy of the Vieques struggle. The

case concerns reparations for over 200 [ishing

traps destroyed by naval activities. Situating

the case in the United States makes attendance by

the fishermen virtually impossible for the

expense and time involved.

Most alarming in these days are the activities

of the new conunity liason officer, Lt. Bill

Negron, who has activated the "Sea Cadets" in

Vieques. This program involves military training

of young boys from the ages of ].0 18 years.

The idleness of Viequense youth makes them into

24

a reserve manpower pool for the same militaryaparatus which deprives them of other alternatives.As will be noted in the following section, thisexploitation of young Puerto Ricans has broaderimplications in terms of U.S. military policy inthe Caribbean under the Reagan administration.

New Directions For Struggle A Challenge ToChristians

We are living now within an important historicalepoch, a time of continued struggle in LatinAmerica. For many countries, especially those ofCentral America and the Caribbean, the 1980’salready promise to be decisive years.

The triumph of the Nicaraguan people againstSomoza in 1979 has launched them into a difficultand energetic period of national reconstruction.In E1 Salvador an entire people is in movementagainst the "Civil-Military Junta" which directsthe genocide against them. In Guatemala, wherethe largely indigenous population has struggledfor centuries against colonialism and dominationby a national oligarchy, the people are organizingthemselves to take power. In Honduras, the windsof change are also blowing. Among the EasternCaribbean nations, promises of new regionalalliances initiated by Grenada point to betteropportunities along the difficult way out of theclutches of neo-colonialism.

Disgracefully, the U.S. continues tomisinterpret the signs of the times. The Reagan-administration, continuing the Carter trend, isdetermined to militarize the region, and to

25

prevent the self-determination of Latin American

peoples Among these nations is counted Puerto

Rico, occupying the most strategic position on the

Reagan shopping list for military control in the

Western Hemisphere.

As mentioned before, since 1945 Vieques has

been the playing field for the U.S. Navy and NATO

f].eet as well as launching pad for U.S. military

intervention in Latin erica. Today, strategists

of the Vieques struggle are making their plans with

a greater consciousness of the shameful

participation in genocide which could be forced on

them by the unscrupulous use of their island by the

U.S. military. Already U.S. citizens have died

fiqhting in E1 Salvador, and r@cent]y, protest

raised in Puerto Rico was sufficient (fortunately)

to prevent the sending of Puerto Rico National

Guardsmen to fight against the Salvadoran people.*

Recent military maneuvers carried out in the

Caribbean region as part of "Ocean Venture ’81"

used Vieques extensively, and involved a number

of "Caribbean scenarios’ in which the U.S. militacy

played the role of "solving" internal problems of

Caribbean nations through military intervention.

As the U.S. should have learned from the

bloody experiences of Iran, Nicaragua, and now

E] Salvado., support of a government which cannot

"Ocean Venture ’81" (claimed as the largest NATO

maneuvers to be carried out since World War II),

the Navy publicly admitted that the U.S. considers

the Puerto Rican National Guard as their "reserve

manpower pool in the Caribbean."

26

claim the support of its people, and opposition toa government which does have that support, simplybecause is takes the course of socialistdevelopment, * accomplishes nothing but to raisethe price to be paid in the lives of innocent.people. Direct military intervention of the kindbeing devised in the minds of U.S. military leaderswill only make that price still higher, Moreheinous still is the use of a people againstitself, the use of Puerto Rican lands and resourcesand of the people themselves, against their ownbrothers and sisters in other parts of Latin America.

For the people of the United States, who feelthemselves far from Latin America, the terriblerole of the UoS. in events of the continent andthe Caribbean basin must become clear. Althoughthe words "human rights" have been dropped fromthe rhetoric, the situations of oppression andinjustice, the torture, deaths, disappearancesand genocide have not subsided, but have increased.In understanding Puerto Rico as a Latin Americannation, it is most important to recognize the factthat all of these inhuman situations have theirhistorical roots in a colonial situation.

**In a letter dated August 20, 1981, to GeneralSecretary of the United Nations Kurt Waldheim,Prime Minister Maurice Bishop of Grenada noted thealarming similarities between these supposedly"imaginary" scenarios nd the situation of his owncountry. Since the ouster of a dictatorial regimein arch 1979, tiny Grenada has faced extremehostility on the part of the U.S., making thenational struggle for economic development andsocial transformation a still more difficult task.

Any witness of brotherhood, love and compassion

which North American Christians would like to make

in the world becomes meaningless without an

awareness of this reality, and a tenacious effort

to change the course of a nation which moves

against the currents of history.

It is this example which the struggle of the

people of vieques should bring home to us, and

which should be evident in even a superficial

reading of the colonial situation of ]uerte Rico:

that the most urgent desire of all Latih American

and Caribbean peoples is to create their own

destiny, to be masters of a history which for

centuries has been invaded, expropriated, occupied,

deformed, and controlled by others.

28

voicesfrom

vieques

Severino Rivera Morales (Verfn)

My name is Severino Rivera Morales, betterknown as Verfn. I am a citizen-son of Vieques, andI am 49 years old. I am married; I have three sonsand already I have grandchildren. I have lived inVieques during all that long life which the Lordhas given me, with the exception of a few yearswhich I spent in Chicago.

The history of Vieques and the Navy is a longone, from ’way back, since the United States Navycame into the island practically unexpected by theViequenses. At the time the Navy came here, thepeople themselves didn’t know how it came about,and the things that happened at the time of theNavy’s arrival and its establishing itself on thewestern part of the island are somewhat dramaticsituations which can be called unjust.

The Navy originally established a base. Thisinvolved a series of expropriations. At that timethere also were some large landholders whonegotiated the sale of their lands; there wereothers who were simply obliged to abandon them.The population as such was removed from thoseplaces by orders, practically at gunpoint, and weremoved to other areas obtained for them, which werecalled "wards."

29

That was when most of the injustices werecommitted, as many families came to live in thosewards, where there was neither water, electricity,streets, nor any kind of housing. At that time,they had only a little termite-ridden lumber and afew sheets of zinc. It was of little concern to theNavy if it were day or night when these forcedexpropriations were carried out. The only thingthey gave the people was a short letter in whichthey were told that possibly they could beexpropriated and evicted again with 24 hours’ notice,in which case they wou].d not be assigned furtherland for living sites. All this the people ofVieques suffered when the Navy arrived.

Later in this same period, a few jobs werecreated on the base and some Viequenses wereemployed. That natural].y was like the times ofo].d prospecting and the gold rush, and many peopleforgot about the kinds of things which bad beendone to them the mistreatment, the injustices,etc.

Once the Americans decided to cut backpersonnel on the base which it had set up becauseit was no longer necessary, practically the wholepeople was ].eft without means of support. This,after having borne the burden of the firstinjustice. The consequences which the peoplesuffered were great, since they were practicallyleft without land for the development ofagriculture and cattle raising and without othereconomic resources such as fishing in the areawhere the base was established on the western side.

Then, the expropriations on the east werecarried out. This base was to be one entirely formilitary practices of bombing and shelling,

30

physical training for marines, etc. The families

of the east were moved to the ward which the

Puerto Rican government obtained for them, called

Tortuguero, where there was some old housing left

from a camp, and some termite-ean lumber. They

were dumped there without work and without a clear

way of surviving. That put an end to the

cattle-raising industry and some agrculurewhich was in existence.

What this reflects is that people were moved

from an area where they had been happy to live,

where God had placed them, in harmony with nature,

and were placed in an area which did not meet the

condition for reaching their former contentment.

Well now, of the whole island, the people have been

left with only 7,000 of the 33,000 acres.

As a result of this there came about

emigration to other countries in search of sources

of income; and tragedy and suffering which

accompany these experiences of emigration; the

destruction of marriages and families because

husbands and fathers left, looking for work. That

meant neglected children, delinquency and all

these things which occur when the father abandons

the home.

The people have been struggling for ii these

years in this situation and at present have begun

to react, because their consciousness has been

raised. After so many long years, they cannot bear

to live this way. We see that during all that time

it has been this little bit of earth which has

contributed most in all the world to that which the

American knows as national dfense.

31

Vieques and its people have conceded this in

greatest measure, if we compare it with any state

of the United States or with any other country.

This battered island has been the ].and which has

prowided most to that national defense In the

past few years, and especially after the

termination of bombing and shelling in Cu]ebra

they have increased these practices here.

They are practically destroying all the

natural beauty in the eastern part and are keeping

us f[-om developing the fishing industry. Besides

all that, our population continues to drop instead

of increasing. We have had enough, with our

consciousness raised, a plan for.dealing with the

Navy has begun to develop with the aim of having

the b[avy leave our island.

Naturally, in order to achieve this among a

people, it has been necessary to unite forces at

different levels and carry out a mainly educative

plan, combined with action to obtain imediate

resu].ts. We are discovering that after so many

years of living on our knees, it becomes a little

difficult, because the minds of some Viequense

citi.zens are somewhat confused. Although they

understand what the basic prQblem is, they sometimes

fee[ restrained or’ limited from the right to self-

expression, because they believe that that could

bring negative results. But the Island is

inhabited by more than 7,000 persons and{ we believe

and understand that all the inhabitants have a right

to participate in this and to know what they are

doing.

For that reason, as a human being and as a

V/eques citizen, I am involved in the struggle which

has been estab].ishec under the name of "The Crusade

32

To Rescue Vieques."in the Crusade evenMethodist Church in

I have assumed some leadershipas I also belong to the UnitedIsabela Segunda, Vieques.

I am not speaking here in the name of theUnited Methodist Church of Vieques, but as aChristian person dedicated to the service of God.As a Christian, I understand that what God gave usto do in this world is for us like him to loveit, defend it, and take care of it. If he put ushere for that, we have to struggle so thateverything is done well for the good of the wholecommunity.

Since the United States Navy takes theopportunity to destroy our island, the land whichGod put here with its natural beauty, to render itpractically sterile, the Christian on the basis ofthese principles ought to go to the defense ofthis land. Christians ought really to analyze thesituation and give as much as is possible, fromthe Christian point of view, so that these thingswon’t happen on our island.

Understanding that if we as Christians arebearers of Christian love, and knowing that theeconomic base of our people is paralyzed, thateach home needs a little more income, that we needdevelopment so that our sons and daughters won’thave to leave when they finish school, so thatfamilies can remain united and there won’t be somany divorces, separations and juvenile delinquency,we must also understand that we have to struggletogether with the rest of our people, includingthose who don’t belong to any Church, so that theseends may be achieved, so that forgiveness mayreturn to our Church and our island may return

33

to serve those true purposes for which God put ushere in this world. May Vieques be for us toenjoy, to develop, and so achieve the objectivesof a good and just society.

I believe there ought to be an involvement of

all religious as well as all political sectors; and

united in one voice we must carry this message andthis petition to the American nation and be firm,united with one another. We need to have peace and

love above all else in order to deal with this

problem. With that, and the hope of victory, we

know that the results will he positive. From thepoint of view of a leader of the Crusade To RescueVieques, at this time I see that we are gainingground, that our feet are set in the right path andthat we are struggling in a realistic manser.

Mano Santo

My name is Santo RIos. Affectionately they

call me Hermano (brother) Santo I am an

evangelical and by the grace of Cod I am also a

Pastor. I belong to the Council of Chrstian

Assemblies. By his grace, God has chosen me,so that he may be glorified, for the construction

of a church here in the island of Vieques, in the

ward of Esperanza (Hope), a ward which is alsocalled "New Lots." }{ere we are trying to build a

church. God is being greatly glorified and thoughwe don’t see many members, we hope that when the

church is finished God will bring in souls.

I can say that I am a pastor and a fisherman,and that I saw a need for my presence in theVieques Fishermen’s Association, because when anevangelical, a pastor, a minister, is a member,perhaps such an organization receives a littlemore consideration. I am here because we pastorsare and ought to be wherever there is nojustice, attempting to bring about justice.

And well, I accepted the idea of joining them,not abandoning the keystone which is Christ, butin my free time I went with them to the places wherewe had to go to raise certain protests, certaincriticisms. The Association did this so well thatI can tell you that in a show-down of about thirtyof us fishermen (with the Navy) we were successful.That was February 6, 1978, when we rose up inprotest, preventing the maneuvers called"Springboard."

About 30 boats sailed to the place from whichthe warships came; we, confident of victory,trusting that none of us would perish. And that’show it was. Because "God is our hope and strength,a very present help in trouble. Thus he cared forus, as a hen protects her chicks. God kept us safe

for there was danger but he kept us and wereturned with victory. From that time we havecontinued to struggle, but a struggle in ]peace, astruggle not of brute strength but of settingforth reason and truth.

Then there came a persecution for me. That

persecution was this: "Mano Santo, you as a

minister are in this revolution? Your Council

permits you to participate in this kind of a

movement? My answer is a very simple, humbleanswer. We have to speak about, and preacH, and

exhort to and live justice. That is what we

have to give them: justice to those persons who

do not have it. We have to put justice to work.

In spiritual terms and God’s.terms, of God’s

Word, injustice may not detain justice. And

logically, if I am a servant of God and I see a

com_ero (companion, fellow worker) or a friend

to whom an injustice is being done, I ought to go

to protect that friend, I ought to be with him,

I should advise him, I should help him, because

the Word of God tells us that we are instruments

of God, instruments of Christ, who have to be

wherever injustice is being done. We have to be

with those who cry out to God. God has messengers

here on earth so they m carry consolation to

suffering souls. And here in Vieques all of us

are suffering. They took our lands from us and

they won’t even let us fish. They deny us our

daily bread.

I have continued to work with the Fishermen’s

Association in a peaceful way and I coninue to

labor in the Lord’s work. I believe that as a

minister I must be with those who suffer. That is

what I have to express at the present time.

Sister Barbara Zimmer

For 37 years, the United States Navy hasoccupied more than 70% of the island of Vieques forpurposes of military defense and as a trainingsite. The Navy has helped with the considerableamount of materials in cases of emergency, but thispeople ought not to be obliged to continue payingwith its lands for acts which should behumanitarian

Some Catholic parishioners work at theNavy/Marine base and have worked there for manyyears. They are, for the most part, loyal to themilitary presence because of their jobs. Today,there are fewer people who work at the base. Somethink the Navy ought to look for’other alternativesfor its activities and return much of the land itholds to the government of Puerto Rico fordevelopment of the same.

Some people, because of their politicalparty affiliation, economic comfort, familysecurity, or for fear that they might lose theirFood Stamps or Social Security, are loyal to thecontinuing military presence. The cattlemen makeup the largest group in favor of the Navy’spresence because they pay very little for the use

of the Navy land to graze their cattle. If thegovernment of Puerto Rico had control of this landthe cattlemen would have to pay much more for itsuse, or move their cattle to private property.

For the fishermen, the areas in which theyare permitted to fish are very limited and they are

in constant danger because of live munitions (bombsand shells) in the sea which did not explode inpractice firing during maneuvers. Many peoplewere expropriated from their land and many have goneto St. Croix, the "Big Island" (the main island ofPuerto Rico) or to New York to live. Why do theyhave to leave their own island to earn their living?Neither does the future of this generation’schildren appear very hopeful, for there is no roomfor expansion here. Where are they going to live

in the future? Will they also have to leave their

island to look for enough land to have a home?

The Conlmunity of the Servants of the

Inaculate Heart of Mary came to Vieques in

September of ]_973. Never before in the history of

the island had there been religious in permanentresidence. With great needs in the fields of

evangelization and pastoral ministry, the Diocese of

Caguas invited the cormunity to work in Vieques.

The two sisters who came to Vieques have laboredin pastoral work and catechesis.

From the time of their arrival, the Siters

belonged to the Civilian-Military Council which

is an organization to foment good relations

between dhe Nav ahd the people of Vieques. The

two of them, along with the parish priest,

represented the Catholic Church in thatorganization. Some of the other Churches are also

represented there. The sisters worked in the area

of Social Welfare and helped in various projects

of the Civilian-Military Council over the years.

38

Representatives of all the Churches of Viequeswere invited in February 1978, to participate in anecumenical meeting to study the problems causedby the Navy in Vieques. An ecumenical committeewas formed, but the Catholic parish priest was notwilling to be a part of the committee so as not todivide parishioners over the issue. OnE of thesisters who was a member of the Civilian-MilitaryCouncil joined the ecumenical committee and sineda letter, copies of which were directed to allChgistians of Vieques, inviting them to participateactively in he people’s struggle against the

Navy’s presence.

Some people were irritated by my signature on

the letter. They believed that it was a politicalmatter and that a nun should not be involved in

such a thing. Because of my signature on the letterand for refusing to sign a promise of loyalty tothe Naval officers, I was removed from theCivilian-Military Council.

It is difficult for the leadership of the

Church to express itself on the issue from the

perspective of the Gospel if priests believe thatby expressing their opinion, they risk dividingthe parishioners. I do not feel free to expressmyself about the presence of the Navy in Viequeswhen I represent the Church officially or duringofficial activities of the Church. In private,among the people, I express my opinion and thosemost conscious of their human rights support me.

I want to help the people discover their rightsand their own potential for self-developmentthrough informal education on every available

occasion. Much has been written in the press, in

39

bulletins, etc. on the pro-Navy side, which serves

to cenfuse people. Older people have suffered much

because of the loss of their ]and, and are now

fearful of losing their social securitv benefits if

they complain against the Navy.

This is a stuggle which is going to continue

for a long time, in which I wish to take part in

awakening the people and accompanying them in the

march towards the realization of their rights.

Probably this will take more time than that during

which I will. be in Vieques, but at least the people

have begun to educate themselves. This

conscientzation process implies a walking with the

people in defense of their rights and at the same

time promoting a continua], dialogue among the

diverse sectors of the people, so that they may

base theil considerations on Gospel values.

40

Angel Guadalupe (Tato)

My name is Tato Guadalupe. I am a Catholic.I have been a member of the Catholic Church formany years. I belong to the cursillista group,but within that group, I belong to that sectorwhich doesn’t believe in cold marble or coldplaster saints.

I believe that the Gospel has brought me tothis struggle for the liberation of Vieques fromthe Navy, because all that in which people try tofree themselves is Gospel. Basing ourselvesspecifically in Matthew 25.31-46, which says thatwhen the Lord comes to his throne, all the nationswill be gathered bfore him. On one side willbe some and on the other side there will be others.And these will have to give an account to the Lord.I believe the Navy is going to have to give a veryugly account to the Lord and to the people ofVieques who are the sheep, for because of theirresolve, courage and determination to freethemselves of that oppressor, I believe it will beone of the free peoples and will be with the Lord.

With us there are other sectors of the peopleof Vieques. From the Protestant Church, we havepastors ad parishioners who are very, veryregular in their attendance in their differentdenominations. We can mention the Methodist and

41

Pentecostal Churches. We have sympathy and supportat the national level such as that of the BaptistChurch. There are also nuns who are in the strugglewith us. They have collaborated with us in

everything. Each day their presence becomes more

palpable among us.

Why has the struggle of the Vi&quenses at this

moment reached the Christian sector of the

population? Because the Christian sector has

already risen from its knees. We no longer believe

that kneeling in a church, within four walls and a

roof, asking God, asking Jehovah to get the Navyout, is going to make the Navy leave. Peoplethemselves must begin to act. The Christian, fro

time to time, must draw the sword and, if possible,stand in the way of that Satan which is the Navy.

Another thing is that the way of the Cross of

Christ becomes manifest in this case of ours. We

have walked this way for 37 years because of the

Navy. Our cross is a total weariness and we hope

that as Christ had his redemption on the cross, we

might have our redemption in this ].and which we

shall recover.

We have done everything peacefully, within the

norms which the system establishes, but many of us

are willing to go as far as the struggle requires.

We do not wish to depart from the Gospel at any

time, for the Gospel says to struggle however one

is able. We search and shall continue to search

Holy Scripture because all that which appears in

the scripture favors us. That is not so for the

Navy, which I imagine instead of searching turns

away more and more from the Gospel.

Many are worried that this struggle could

bring about violence. If we were to look a little

42

further and put this concern in simpler terms, wesee that Jesus entered the Temple and had to usephysical violence right there to remove those whowere using it for negative purposes. Jesus usedviolence to put an end to an evil situation sothat things would be done properly.

The violence of the Navy is permanentlydamaging, unforgivable. It destroys coral reefs,it is destroying the land, it kills cattle andwildlife especially birds which is in dangerof extinction because of the violence with whichit rapes our island of Vieques. Besides all this,what it does is training for war to destroylives. Now, many do not want to see this latterviolence.

On the other hand, anything that is done bythe people, in an attempt to put an end to thatwhich is harmful, as Jesus did, is labeled aspopular violence. And sometimes there are acts ofviolence from the people. But the need for thepeople to use such measures, what causes the peopleto reach that state, is established by the systemitself, by its violence against the very creationof God.

43

nel Ventura Cihtr6n (Chelao)

My name is Angel Ventura Cintr6n. I shallbegin by talking about 1959, when totallyincapacitated I left the hydroelectric plantin Vieques. Dr. Ramos gave me an hour to liveand set me home to die. During that followingweek, all the people of Vieques thought I wasgoing to die, and the Christians he "Aleluyas,"as they say came to my home and prayed for me,and the Lord healed me. Though I was healed, Iremained incapacitated for work which requiresresponsibilities of decision-making. This obligedme to seek the only alternative which remainedfor me: fishing, since when I had my completehealth I did some fishing. Since the situation inVieques was so precarious, I had to go to sea tofish in the time my body let me work.

I had i0 children. Some of them were in

school a]d already in a grade which required their

regula attendance and punctuality, in Junior

High School. On many occasions of necessity I hadto interrupt their classes, take them out of schoolfor one, two, or sometimes three days, and take

them to fish with me.

I had a lot of problems with the United States

Navy, because at that time they didn’t take the

fishermen into consideration. They didn’t

distribute lists of firing schedules, neither the

time nor the place nor anything. I took my ll-yearold son spearfishing at depths of 30, 40, 50 feet;

an ll-year old child... Sometimes I also took

along a boy of about eight. I had to do it to

subsist. And in that struggle to survive, looking

to make an honest living, for me the Navy was a

permanent obstacle, because when we most needed to

earn a living, to be able to subsist and live

honorably, they expelled us under fire. Even

though the pilots of the airplanes and ships saw

us, they fired.

I remember that on one occasion, we were in

Salinas, trying to catch a lobster that was being

difficult. Two planes came flying in to fire and

they shot directly at the small boat where we were.

Four bullets struck at our right, four to the left

and one, with a sound of a 50-caliber machine

gun ricochetted off, humming. Right away we had

to leave everything and go home without fish and

with a tremendous scare.

We complained to the "Gray Empire" bytelephone because at that time they didn’t allow

anybody in up there but the good-looking, the

handsome, the intellectuals, teachers, the judge,the mayor and other people of wealth. Those werethe only ones who entered the Base at the time I’mtelling you about. If you arrived at the gate toask for a pass, they said (in English) "I’m sorry."That’s all they said there. "I’m sorry, you can’tenter."

45

The day they started allowing people to enterthe base was after Rub6n Berr.os spent 90 days in

jail for what happened in Culebra (1972). It wasthen that they put up some sicjns saying "Welcome

To Our Base," and from there on people began to

enter. Then we could enter, the base, but with

certain restrictions which sti] [ exist. They say

you have to sign a paper that says "I (or we)exonerate the United States Navy :from all risks,

charges. In other words, that after you enter,you are stuck with whatever happens. You may have

your daughter violated, your wife the object of

coarse comments, your car wrecked by a Navy truck,but one has ao right to anything. That is goingon now. It was going on back then and it’s going

on now. One still has to sign that pass to be

permitted to enter both bases.

They tok me prisoner up there. I rememberone day we were coming in from :fishing when the sea

got rough and we had to come ashore in a placecalled "The Tanks," in a Restricted Area. A

soldier came up pointing a heavy-guage shotgun at

me. While I wa.s trying to save my family this

soldieE pointed that thing at me, saying that I had

to leave the boat thee, and go immediately as his

prisone to the camp.

I told him that’s not how things were, that he

had to help me to tie up the boat. Afterwards I

would go to Washington if I had to, but right now

I couldn’t accomodate him, that he had better kill

me. But he still didn’t help me. He waited until

we tied up the boats and then put us on a truck

and took us capti.ve.

The captain who took charge treated us sO

discourteously that I told him, "Just a moment.

Don’t speak to me in such an offensive way. I’m

no soldier, I’m a civilian, and you as an officer

have to treat me well." What I was doing was trying

to save my life and those of my companions.

Then the captain spoke to me again inEnglish, and I told him that I didn’t speakEnglish and that I needed an interpreter.Afterwards he asked me why I had landed in thatrestricted area. I told him that I was not aboutto let myself drown; that two or three persons haddrowned before for fear of being arrested. I toldhim I’d rather go to Atlanta (site of a Federalprison) if I had to, but I wasn’t going to letmyself drown, nor my two sons and the others withme, to avoid landing in a restricted area. Thathad been a refuge for us, to get out of the heavyseas; maritime law protected me in seeking safetythere...

I want to explain my position as a Chrisian.I have been in the Gospel for 15 years. I belongto the Pentecostal Church International movementof Puerto Rico. As a Christian, an elder, I amof the sure opinion that we Christians are thosewho are called to see things clearly, to see whatis justice and what is injustice. And as aChristian, a reader of the Bible, with a fairknowledge of it, this permits me to see for myselfwhat is justice and what is injustice.

Among the people of Vieques, I as a Christianbelong to the movement against the United StatesNavy, for I have always lived in Vieques, and sincethe Americans came, to live here has been a horridtorment.

My opinion is that no Christian can shieldhimself. He or she as a Christian cannot say thatthey don’t have to "get mixed up in all that," asthey say commonly, but he or she must fight againstthe injustices which are committed against us, for

we as Christians are those who see justice andinjustice. If I were to tell you all the injusticeswh.ich ]lave been done here against the peopl ofViegues, I would need a month to tell you of theexperiences I ]lave had, but I am Confining myselfto just a few of them.

In the beginning, wben the Navy Came here, andtbey let the marines out at night, we bad to watchOver the ho1ses of Women wbo lived alone. Theywould tear off the doors of the bomes o.f thesepersons who they knew were alone there wou].d beSeven of them pulling at the doos, an<] seven ofthem throwing Stones, in battle with us. Theabuse was such that some of them actually joinedus to fight aga.nst their Own people.

At that time, they were supported by thegovernment in power: here in Vieques. One nightI }lad to go to po].ce headgtarters and the (leskserjeant told me, [he.e are no more policemen toanswer the complaints.

’[’he Marires wa dered through the h;[]ls andevery time the], found a house, the gir]_s who l.vedthere coulc]n’t go out after dark. That was aterrible thing. When they came down into townthere was yel].ing and uproar. They came withbottles of beer and anyone they oame across in thestreet was a target for the bottles; heads werebroken and faees cut they did everything. Well,that was the savagery we had here.

’]!hen if you went to the judge or the mayor,they’d s%y: e].], what you have to do .s to hide."We had no police protection of any kind. They tookour boats, took them up out of the water withhelicopters and let them fall to smash um on the

48

shore or in the water. We went to complain to the

judge and he told us we had to hide the boats where

they couldn’t find them, in civilian ter[itory.

They used to steal I remember one day that I

had a small sailboat; I which I kept in a canal in the

civilian zone. Two sergeants came, took the boat,

raised the sails and left. They entered shops and

openly took bottles of rum and left. One had to

let them because if not, they would beat up the

shop owner and patronS. I remember one day they

stole five quarts of rum from Grandfather Suso and

in that fight we had to form a group because there

were ome serious conflicts. As night fell, we

bad to prepare a truck I had, loading it with

people, stoneS and machetes to fight’ with them.

Well, that’S how the Navy’S struggle against

Vieques began.

The greater part of the people of Veques

began to emigrate, emigra, emiqrate to the

extreme that there was a minimum quantity left in

Vieques. I have gone to Mr. Eliseo’S house, Eliseo

the photographer, and I could see the pretty faces

of those girls who graduated from the high school

with honors, those young people who had to go to

New York; that’S more than 30 years ago and I

haven’t seen those faces around here anymore.

Some are out there far, far away from here; girls

and boys who were born and raised here. others

came back dead, in plastic bags. And all this as

a consequence of the United States Navy and MarineS.

This has been an abuse of the people of

Vieques; it was stopped only a short time ago, when

the Crusade began and when the fishermen began to

fight against the Navy. The Governor of PuertO

Rico sued the Navy, but it was because we asked

for 20 minutes to speak with him and he committed

himself in our presence to sue the Navy if it had

been harmful to the people of Viques.

Right now, I can say that with the struggle

we have and the battles we’ve brought against the

Navy, the matters of early morning firing and of

low-flying jet airplanes have lessened a little.

They used to wake us up at 4:30 or 5:00 AM; flying

at an altitude of about i00 feet.

On one occasion, I had worked all day nd

had gone to sleep very tired, but one of my boys

had an ear-ache. From about 8:00 PM I was with

that baby, rocking him in my arms. And so I was

with him trying to deal with his pain and giving

him ear-drops and doing a thousand things more or

less helplessly. My wife rocked him while I tried

to sleep, because I had to get up at 4:00 AM to

go to work. The last straw came when I had that

boy almost aleep, when sleep was getting the

better of the pain, I thought, "Blessed be God, at

least it’s only 3:00 AM, and I can get an hour’s

sleep. Then there came the jets flying low, right

over the house, firing those cannon and the baby

turned over and jumped up.

So then instead of running off to work, I had

to stay up with the baby, miss work and go to the

hospital with him, because the pain not only

increased, he also had an attack of nerves that I

thought would kill him. And there were other such

cases, not only with me; the whole people of

Vieques has suffered from them.

In finishing, I’d like to say to all those

Christians of different churches, that we Christians

here in Vieques are dealing with and fighting

against the injustices which the United States

Navy commits, not only against us Christians but

against the people of Vieques in genera], and

against all those who come to visit here. The

Navy is an obstacle to our way of life, because

they have not let us develop ourselves at any time.

Once we unite to deal with this struggle and

we are more united every day not thinking that

Christians ought not to get mixed up in this as

many say, but that we as Christians, who know what

non-violent justice is, will rightly continue the

battle.

I can say, without fear of being mistaken

that I wouldn’t call Vieques by the name it now has.

I have another name for Vieques the little gold

nugget. Because in Vieques, when there are no

marines, you can sleep with the doors unlocked.

On weekends four or five ferries jammed with people

come to Vieques and we (and they) find ourselves

in a narrow alley fenced in on both sides. Let us

free Vieques so that Vieques may be a place of

benefit not only ’for those of us who live here but

a Vieques to provide services for every person who

might come and enjoy the many lovely beaches and

other benefits which it possesses.

Damin Belardo

My name is Damin Belardo and I am a residentof Vieques. Whenever I have the opportunity towitness in any place, I have always done so,identifying mysel as a member of the UnitedMethodist Church. I do so because I consider thatmy Church has always been characterized by itsparticijation in the great struggles againstinjustice. This permits me to see how clear andconscious our Church is as to the real meaning ofthe Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Something ofwhich we ought to be consciousis that we shall never reach the fullness ofperfection if we do not truly live life exactlyas our Lord lived it. It would be wonderful to seeour Lord, over[lowing with his love for thosepersecuted by their oppressors, concerned for thosewhose employers demand nearly impossible tasks forstarvation wages, for those whose rights as humanbeings are denied. The Bible teaches us much asto the participation of our Lord in the socialproblems of humankind.

In my home, Vieques, we have what I considerand have always considered a serious problem. Thepresence of the United States Navy in the islandfor more than 35 years has made the aualitv of lifehere inferior. By the way in which our island is

53

occupied, it makes me think of a large family

living in a very small room. Thus we have an idea

of how my people live, depressed, without having

anywhere to go.

That depression which shows in the face of

each Viequense is due, some of us are sure, to that

way of life which the Viequense ].ires; others

cannot or will not conceive of such a

[)ossibility. About a year aqo, I was reading some

statistics projected on the basis of the number of

]icences issued for the sale off alcoholic

beverages. Vieques was in thil-d place among all

the 77 municipa].it:[es of P<erto Rico in the amount

of spiritous liquors consumed. There are many

problems I could indicate, but because we are

dealing here with problems which have to do with

the moral life of my people and which occur

wherever mi].itary bases are constructed, I leave

the :est to your imagination. These problems are

known to the religious leaders of Vieques. What ]

do not understand ;is why the ministers look with

indifference at these problems which ale mainly

brought about for the reason already mentioned.

Vieques has entered into a struggle :for a cause

which I consider just. A struggle which offers

to the local churches a great opportunity to prove

that they truly love their neighbors. At times

I think the brethren are too busy saving their

own souls. I also think that. great effort is

wasted when we look unconcernedly at the causes

which bring about all these i]Is.

To look with indifference at a just cause

because of fear is to make oneself an accomplice

of injustice and that would be to refuse to

obey the Lord’s command to love.

theological reflection

VIEQUES: CREATION OF GOD FOR PEACE OR OBJECT OFTHE UNITED STATES NAVY FOR OPPRESSION AND WAR

In the Judeo-Christian tradition, all beginswith God. He is th4 foundation of life. He isalso the Creator of the whole universe, thestability of which depends upon his power tosustain it and give it continuity.

Earthly life was created by God; moreover,that life is possible precisely because God madeand preserved a space for that life in the midst ofthe waters at the beginning of creation. "AndGod saw that it was good." (Genesis 1 and 2)

The world in which we live belongs to him whois its creator. The sun, the moon, the oceans,the animals, the birds, etc. all belong to him.And all was created for good, for the happiness ofhuman beings.

Humankind has been called "the crown ofcreation." The psalmist described humans ascreated "a Little lower than the angels" (Psalm 8).And Genesis proclaims humanity to be created "inthe image and likeness of God" (Genesis 1.27).Therefore Jesus equates any beneficial actiondone to any person as a good done to him, just as

55

any negligence of the needs of another is described

by Jesus as a negligence of him (Matthew 25.31-46).

To sin against one’s neighbor, then, is to sin

against God. To sin against the creation the

]and, the oceans is to sin against that life

which God has provided for us humans.

Naturally, it is this same human creature,

made in the image of God, who has the privilege

of administering the rest of creation, since the

other works of God were delivered into hls/her

hands: "Sheep and oxen, even the wild beasts of

the field; the birds of the air, the fish of the

sea, and whatsoever walks in the paths of the

seas." (Psalm 8.8-9) According to the account of

Genesis, humankind in the personages of Adam and

Eve receives specific orders from God to exercise

lordship/ to command, to govern, to subject the

rest ofthe creation in order to obtain from it

their nutrition and other necessities.

In this way, humanity becomes a steward who

administers nature as if he were its owner, but

without really being so, for its owner is still its

creator. In the Biblical view, to forget the

supremacy of God is a sin to be strongly reproached,

always. It is the basic sin which is the origin

of the rest. Humanis the steward of creation

as a whole, but also specifically: men and women

are the stewards of the particular place where God

has set them.

God has provided the people of Vieques wth an

island in which to live and to seek to develop

their common happiness. As if to compensate for

the reduced size of their island, God has blessed

the people, providing them with seas abundant in

marine life. This assures them of food and work.Besides, the 33,000 acres of land administered bygood st4wards would assure the provision of "everyseed-bearing plant, every fruit-bearing seed, foryour animals and fowl and all that is alive, greengrass for sustenance." (Genesis 1.20-30)

Nevertheless, nearly 40 years ago, theUnited States Navy usurped from the Viequenses theright to exercise that stewardwhip and to livehappily in the land which God the Father had giventhem, by taking over 26,000 acres of Viequesterritory. The people lost not only their lordshipOver that portion of nature provided by God, butalso their sources of food and work the seasand the land.

And as if that were not enough, the Usurperhas busied himself with the systematic destructionof God’s creation the reefs, the coral, fish,vegetation, cattle, the coastal land, the treeswhile he plans and rehearses the most adequateforms of exterminating other human beings throughwar.

The purpose of God is that human beings livehappily on the face of the earth. Since that planwas interrupted and violated, the coming of Jesusthe Christ was necessary for teaching andestablishing that life, expressed in the prayerwhich he taught his disciples: "...your kingdomcome." (Luke 11.2; Matthew 6.10) And thatkingdom is to be a kingdom of peace. (Isaiah11.1-9; Revelation 21-22)

The deep desire of Isaiah for peace issummed up in these words: "They shall beat theirswords into plowshares and their spears into sicles.No nation shall lift the sword agsinst anothernation, nor shall they learn to make War anymore."(Is. 2.4)

57

In Vieques, however, there are constant

rehearsals for war, combat techniques are developed

and perfected, the insides of mountains are

excavated for storing munitions, and the daily life

of the Viequenses is accompanied by the sound of

high-explosive bombing and shelling and by the

constant fear of yet another accident.

In the book of Micah, God’s enemies "treat

those who live quietly as if they were at war, cast

out women from their beloved homes and take from

their children that liberty which I (God) gave

them." (Micah 2.8) Each one of these three

actions have been carried out against the people

of Vieques by the Navy of the United States.

In Vieques, life is in effect a continual

state of war. In order to take possession of the

26,000 acres which the Navy presently controls,

the inhabitants of those lands were forced to

abandon their homes and farms women, men and

children were’"cast out of their beloved homes."

Hundreds of Viequenses were witness to this

reality, but it is perhaps eDough to describe the

e of one younq married couple:cas

"We lived in Punta Arenas and were

expropriated in 942. One day about noon, while

I was having lunch, anolo Portela came to my

house with a letter which said that we had to

get out right away. I told him that it was

impossible for me to leave the house; besides,

my wife was about to have a baby. But he

insisted that we had to move out’immediately

or else they would demolish the house with a

bulldozer.

"The nex day a Navy truck came to take

our belongings. I knew that i one protested

58

he would be mistreated. They gave me $30 forthe house, said it was a federal order; I didn’thave any choice except to throw everything inthe truck. When we reached Monte Santo, whatI found was a canefield. There wasn’t anythingthere’-- just some stakes marking the plot ofland for each family. With my brother’s help,we cut cane shoots to make a hut. The nextday the baby was born right there. I havea letter from the Navy that tells me that ifthey need that land at Monte Santo, they can takeit away, as they did before within 24 hours.To think that everything in Punta Arenas wasdestroyed by the Navy,.. About 4,000 peoplewere in the same situation."

The population of Vieques is about 8,000persons who live hemmed within a narrow stretch ofland lined by cyclone fences with signs that read"Keep Out, Warning Restricted Area," and"No Trespassing.-

So the land no longer belongs to the people;the seas around the island are "restricted" forthem, their limited access determined by the needsand what appear at times to be the caprices of theNavy. The liberty which God gave to these sonsand daughters of his has definitely been taken awayfrom them.

Life in Vieques is a far cry from theprophecies of Micah and Zecariah that "each oneshall sit under his vine and fig tree and no oneshall trouble him." (Micah 4.4; Zech. 3.10)

The Judeo-Christian tradition is centeredaround a God who acts in history, a God who

59

manifests himself clearly to his people throughconcrete facts, historical events; a God whointervenes directly, and often dramatically, in thecourse of history. The exodus of the Israelitesfrom Egypt presents us with a God utilizing allkinds of pressure until he achieves his objective:the liberation of his people (Exodus 5-12). TheGod of the exodus does not tolerate real, historic

oppression, the kind of living situation in whichhis people found themselves. God favors liberationand even more, he acts in its favor, thus makingit possible. (Exous12; Jeremiah 31.6-17).

This intolerance of God towards oppression is

not limited to the Israelites, since he is the Godof all peoples. He cannot be in accord with

injustice and oppression. Wherever there is

oppression, there is a situation ito]erab]e forGod, and consequently wherever people struggleagainst such evils, part of God’s plan is realized.

That is wy Jesus understands

his ministry as the fulfillment offof Issiah:

and incarnatesthe prophecy

The spirit of the Lordis over me,for he has anointed me to proclaimgood news to the poor; he has sentme to announce liberation to thecapives and sght to the blind,to set free the oppressed and toproclaim the time of God’s grace.(Is. 61.1-2; Luke 4.18-]9)

The people of Vieques struggle to remove .from

their shoulders this yoke, imposed by the Nsvy

which does not permit them to live tranquilly and

normally, nor to have access to the means of their

sustenance, provided by God through nature, nor to

60

earn their living as God ordained: "By the sweatof your brow." (Genesis 3.17)

The people of Vieques live in captivity intheir own country, where others rule and assumethat their orders will be carried out. A powerexternal to the people controls and dominates theirlives. Thei9 common destiny is determined by theNavy, which controls air, sea and land. Themobility of the people is determined by the wirefences which convert the scarce space available tothe Viequenses into a kind of jail. A].I thedynamic of this people is subjected to the martialpurposes of the U.S. Navy.

In the face of situations of oppression andexternal domination, the response of God wasalways one of promise and redemptive acion.(Is. 41.14; Deut. 7.8; Jer. 31.6-17) As hisservants, we can do no less than support the peopleof V+/-eques in this critical moment.

61

resolutions

RESOLUTION OF THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

The following Resolution on Vieques was

prepared and adopted by the Executive Committee of

the Advisory Council on Church and Society at the

request of the Ceneral Assembly Mission Council.

The Advisory Council on Church and Society

recommends that the 190th General Assembly (1978)

adopt the Resolution on Vieques.

RESOLUTION ON VIEQUES

Vieques is a small island off the coast of

Puerto Rico. Four-fifths of its territory has been

occupied by the U.S. Navy since 1941 and is

currently being used as a gunnery range. More than

9,000 Puerto Rican people live in the 7,000 acres of

land that are not currently used by the Navy.

Vieques has considerable potential for economic

development through fishing, agriculture, and

tourism, which could relieve problems of poverty

and chronic unemployment among the people of the

island. A number of people in recent years have

been killed or injured by unexploded ammunition

and mines left in the earth after naval exercises.

63

’]!he Christian community of Puerto Rico with

leac]ership by the Synod of the United Presbyterian

Church has publicly expressed its deep concern over

this issue and has c].ear].y conununicated to the

public at large and to the officials of the

qovernment of Puerto Rico and of the U.S. its desire

that the sland be retuned to the people of Vieques

for peaceful development. The government of uerto

Rico hss ffeiall.y asked the U.S. Navy and Marines

to leave VJeqtles.

The Synod of Puerto Rico has officially

communicated to this Genel-a]. Assembly its own

resolutJon concerning the operations of the

Navy and Ma’ines on Vieques and has asked this

Genera] Assembly to join in "supporting Vieques in

their just reqtlest that the (].S. Navy leave, that

Rhey might develop the [ish:ing agriculture, and

tourist Jndtlstries of the:i r" population.

Paerto. Rico represents a unique re]ationshi[5

to the U.S.A. While its people and culture are

latin as’is the language, it is not technically a

part of Latin America. Whi].e its recent history

parallels that o[ col.oni.a] dependences, it is not

technJca].ly a colony of the U.S., hut has

"commonwealth" status. ]in spite of these

distinctions, many of the moral pnincip].es that

should govern the =e]at]onshJp o[ the people of the

I].S. with the people o[ [,atir America pertain to any

consideration of re]ationshil) wi.th the people of

Pe]Tto RICO.

The 18]st General Assembly (1969) addressed

itself to the question of U.>. military presence

in Latin America in a way that seems pertinent to

the ssue now being raised ]:)y the people o[ Vieques

and by the Synod of Puerto Rico on <heir behalf.

64

"Even those military programs which may havepositive aspects should be evaluated in the light oftheir olticl and’moral costs, which are extremelyhigh. Our military presence as a whole is largelyobsolete, irrelevant, and an unnecessary irritant inwhat must be a new relationship between Latin Americaand the U.S."

We believe that the continued use of the islandof Vieques by U.S. Nagal nd Marine force doesenthil a politi@al 6nd moal cost that is extremelyhigh. Whatever the legitimate security andmilitary needs of our forces may be, they cansurely be satisfied in other ways than at theexpense of the dignity and development of a sisterpeople.

Church and Society recommended to the 190thGeneral Assembly (1978) its adoption, which theGeneral Assembly approved.

Expresses its appreciation to the Synodof Puerto Rico for having brought thismatter to its attention.

2 Supports the request of the people ofVieques for an immediate cessation ofall operations on or near Viquesinvolving the use of live ordnance andthe speedy restoration of the land tousable condition, including the detectionand removal of unexploded ordnance.

Urges the President of the UnitedStates as Commander in Chief toinstruct the Department of Defenseto develop plans for the return of

65

that portion of the island under

control of the Navy and the 14arines

to the people of Vieques.

Directs the Stated Clerk of the

Genera]. Assembly to communicate this

resolution to the President of the

United States, the Department of

Defense, and appropriate’committeesof the Congress.

CONVENqIp OF.....BAPqZ$ C[.URCHES OF PUERTO RICO

RESOLUTION TO PETITION THE PRESIDENT

OF THE UNITED SLATES FOR THF, WITHDRAWAL’ [HL ISLAND OF VIEQUES

OF THE ARMED FORCS FROM ’

Whereas:

Whereas:

Whereas

The island of Vieques is an island

municipality and is an integral part

the Puerto Rican community; and

Since 1843 said Island is a patrimony

of its inhabitants, at this time some

9,000 in number; and

The major part of the small island, 5]..5

square miles in area, is at present

occupied by installations of the Armed

Forces of the United States, which are

66

Whereas:

Whereas:

Therefore:

Resolves:

annually joined by naval and militaryunits of other countries, allies of theUnited States; and

Bundreds of poor fishermen attempt toearn their daily bread in the fishingindustry; and

During these last years those workers ofthe sea have been deprived of themanner of earning their daily bread bythe obstruction ordered by the Navy;thus not only are workers deprived oftheir salaries, but also theenvironment of the small island isvitiated by the smoke and noise causedby naval and military practices;

The Convention of Baptist Churches ofPuerto Rico, with representation from67 Baptist Churches, Assembled inRio Piedras, Puerto Rico March 2-5,1978

Respectfully petition the HonorablePresident of the United StatesJames Carter, for the immediatewithdrawal of the naval andmilitary forces assigned to duty inVieques for war preparationoperations.

To free the tranquil inhabitants ofVieques from military bonds insuch a way that they may be able towork in peace and dev@lop theirisland in the manner most convenientto their community interests.

67

Send copies of this Resolution t<

the United States Congress, the

Presidents of our legislativehouses in Puerto Rico, and to the

Honorable Governor, Don Carlos

Romero Barcel6.

Make known this resolution to the

press of this country.

1.978

RESOLUTION OVER VIEQUES OF THE ANNUAL

CON]ERENCE OF THE UNITED MEqHODIS] CHURCH

Whereas:

Whereas:

A great part of the people of Vieques

has organized to raise its voice in

protest and repudiation against the

practices and exercises of military

strategy degeloped by the Navy of the

United States of nerica; and

Such military practices and exercises

constitute a threat to the full

realization of life in the social,

economic, political and human orders;

and

68

Whereas:

Whereas:

Therefore:

Therefore:

Our Viequense brothers and sisters(who are also Puerto RIans) surfertension, anxiety and anguish, as wellas even the danger to life in thestruggle to recover their landpresently occupied by military forcesof the United States; and

The Christian and Gospel ideal isparticipation in a life of peace andplenty and the scriptures urge us toforge our armaments into plowshares andour warships into fishermen’s boats;

Be it resolved by this Annual Conferenceto raise our prophetic and evangelicvoice of most just denunciation and inunconditional support of thedemandswhich the people of theisland-municipality of Vieques aremaking at this moment; and

In an act of commitment in love, thisresolution should be sent to and knownby the Governor of Puerto Rico, thePresident of the United States and allthe people of Puerto Rico through themass communications media.

Approved June 24, 1978

69

Members of the Royal Dutch Marine Rifle Brigade participating in NATO

maneuvers on Vieques in August 1981,

EVANGELICAL MENNONITE CHURCHOF PUERTO BICO

RESOLUTION ON VIEQUES

Whereas:

Whereas:

Whereas:

Whereas:

Whereas:

We are convicted as Christians to makedecisions and to act on them, for thelove of God and the brethren, withpurpose to promote and proclaim the Wordof God, which gives life;

We have made public on former occasions,our concern for the problems andsituations of Puerto Rican society inwhich we live, as for example: thecriminality, the deterioration of thequality of life, various forms ofviolence in different spheres, amongothers;

Moved by Jesus Christ, the maximum Wordof God, we are called to be vehicleswhich promote life in all its dimensions,supporting those who are undefended andin need, and rejecting all actions whichpromote death in all its aspects;

We understand that the authentic defenseof the human being and of all peoples, isfaith in Jesus Christ, and not theconfidence deposited in military arms;

The situation of the people of Viequesis known by alf, in which the UnitedStates Navy prevents them from creating

71-

Whereas:

WhereaS

whereas:

WhereaS:

WhereaS:

Whereas:

healthy conditions for the growth and

development of their live

The fundamental purposes of the Navy’ in

Vieques are of a purely warlike nature,

and which take no notice of the claims

of the people;

The practices of the Navy have caused

damages to natural resources as well as

to the Vlequense= emotional and physical

security;

The Navy has limited the rights of

citizens of Vieques to live, work, and

develop economic activity in 28% of the

]and of Vieques;

Not on].y in the island-municipality of

Vieques but as w@ll in different prts of

the island of Puerto Rico, lands useful

the planting and cultivation o[ foodfor

been-expropriated [or the purpose ofhaveestablishing military bases with purely

warlike objectives;

We understand that the fact that death

and institutionalized violence are being

increased and promoted in our society

is a desperate sign of dehumanization;

As the Convention of Mennonite Churches

of ]puerto Rico we respond to the

commitment 6o Jesus Christ through a firm

witness, and owing to the concrete reality

in which our country lives;

As We Resolve that the CONVENTION OF THE EVANGELICAL

MENNONITE CHURCH OF PUERTO RICO affirms

that the people of Vieques have the rightto create th conditions which would befavorable for the good development andgrowth of all their lives:

BE IT RESOLVED: That this Resolution be deliveredto the Governor of Puerto Rico,the President of the United States,and to all the people of PuertoRico, urging them to recommendthe ceasing of war practices in theisland of Vieques; that the landoccupied by the Navy be returnedto the people of Vieques in orderto create a system of lifeadequate and pertinent, conformingto that which a dignified peopleshould enjoy; that betteralternatives be procured for theprevention of crime and theadministration of justice withequity.

APPRO%D today, Thursday, 2 August 1979 in Bayam6n,by the COUNCIL OF TIIE CONVENTION OF EVANGELICALMZNNONITE CHURCHES OF PUERTO RICO.

L UNITED CHURCH OF PUERTOEVANGELICA

The Evangelical United Church of Puerto Rico

in its 48th Annual Assembly celebrated in January

of 1978, approved and authorized its Executive

Council to make pronouncementS concerning all the

social prob].ems which affect the Puerto Rican

community-

Case of the Community of Vieques

WhereaS:

the United States Nav_

Whereas

Whereas:

Whereas:

Whereas:

and

For many years the island of Viegues has

suffered the impact of a military base

which has absorbed the greater part of

its territory;

We all are aware of the negative e[fects

which this base has exercised over the

morale, the economy and the community life

of the people of Vieques;

Our fellow countrymen o[ Vieques have

protested against the military [:aneuvers

carried out on said island;

The Viequenses point out that the fjshin{l

industry s being destroyed, wh]ch

constitutes the way of life of many of

the

The Viequenses understand that the

presence of the Navy as much as the

maneuvers which they carry out are against

the social, moral, and economic

development to which they have a right;

74

Whereas: The United Evangelical Church of PuertoRico, based in its Christian commitmentof love to our brethren, particularlyto those in need, are conscious of themagnitud of the problem, in a meeting ofits Executive Council celebrated Saturday,March ii, 1978 in the town of Fajardo,Puerto Rico, resolves:

To put ourselves on the side of ourbrothers of Viques, whose claims itconsiders legitimate, reasonable, andvalid.

To solicit from the local and federalauthorities that they resolve thissituation as Soon as possible to thegreatest benefit of the community ofour brothers of Vieques.

Be it here noted that we submit this Resolutionto the authorities of the Government of Puerto Rico,to the Government of the United States of Americain Washington, D.C., and to the media: press, radioand television today Monday, March 13 1978 in SanJuan, Puerto Rico.

Dr. Carmen Noelia LugoSecretary, Executive Council

Rev. Osvaldo MalavPresidentEvangelical UnitedChurch of PuertoRico

75

U.S. Marines during NATO maneuvers of August ii in Vieques. At rear is a

sophisticated laser weapon known as the "Dragon."

EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF PUERTO RICORESOLUTION ON THE PRESENT SITUATION IN VIEQUES

Whereas:

Whereas:

Whereas:

Whereas:

Whereas:

Wide sectors of the people of Viequeshave raised their voices in protestagainst war preparation practicesdeveped by the United States Navy inthat island municipality, just as thepeople of ISRAEL protested in times ofthe Assyrian invasion; and

Said protest have been raised because ofharm to human life in the social,economic, and psychological spheres,since the people of Vieques live in fearof yet another accident or death, as thepeople of Israel lived in the slavery ofEgypt; and

Damage to the sea floor and reefs,mangroves and beaches, agriculture andflora and fauna of Vieaues constitute anaf---{ont tot--eGod who created the earth,the sea and the heavens; and

The people of Vieques, restricted to anarrow strip of land located between thelands held by the Navy, are not free tobring about their social and economicdevelopment, and are, therefore, a peopleexiled in their own land; and

The opposition of sister Churches to warpractices in Vieques is evident, viz. theConvention of Baptist Churches of PuertoRico, the Annual Conference of the UnitedMethodist Church of Puerto Rico, theGeneral Assembly of" the UnitedPresbyterian Church, Synod of Puerto Rico,77

Whereas:

who have heard and heeded the cry of

distress of their brothers and sisters in

Vieques; and

The Ep/csopal Church of Hawaii, assembled

in its diocesan convention, and facing a

similar situation of ground target firing

by the Navy in the island of Kahoolawe,

Hawaii, for similar reasonS, has asked the

Navy to cease firing operations there; and

WhereaS:

Whereas:

The government of Puerto Rico, together with

the Society of Archaelogy, Anthr0pology,

of Puerto Rico, has demandedand History at an end be putthrough legal aclou

to bombing and shelling in the island

’t andlllCl.pall Y,

The ViequeS sherme s Association, in

defense of the sacred right to life and

subsistence, has petitioned the courts

of law to halt military firing and the

,mmediate withdrawal of the Navy from the

"Baby Island;"

Therefore be it resolved that this 71st Diocesan

Assembly of the Puerto Rican Episcopal Church fully

support the just struggle of the people of Vieques

against the Navy; and

Therefore: Be it further resolved that copies of

this resolution be sent to the Governor

of Puerto Rico, the President of the

United StateS, the Mayor of Vieques and

78

to all the people of Puerto Ricothrough the mass communication media.

71st Diocesan Assembly,ChurchPonce, Puerto RicoNovember ii, 1978

Puerto Rican Episcopal

CABLE RECEIVED FROM THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF

CHURCHES OF THE UNITED STATES

CRUZADA PRO-RESCATE DE VIEQUESPEOPLE OF VIEQUESc/o CARLOS ZENONBARRIO LA ESPERANZAVIEQUES, PUERTO RICO 00765THE RACIAL JUSTICE WORKING GROUP OF THE DIVISION OFCHURCH AND SOCIETY OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OFCHURCHES MEETING IN JACKSON MISSISSIPPI ON JUNE 29,1978, PASSED A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT AND SOLIDARITYWITH YOU IN YOUR STRUGGLES TO GET THE UNITED STATESNAVY ANE RINES OUT OF YOUR LAND.THE WORKING GROUP ALSO SUPPORTS YOUR DEMANDS FORREPARATION TO THE U.S. NAVY FOR THE DAGES CAUSEDTO YOUR LAND AND YOUR DIGNITY BY ITS USE FOR THEPURPOSE OF BOMBING AND SHOOTING TARGET FORSHIP-TO-SHORE AND AIR-TO-GROUND MILITARY OPERATIONS.

79

THE RACIAl., JusTICE wORKING GROUP STANDS SIDE BY SIDE

wITH YOU AS YOU DEMONSTRATE ON JULY 1-4, 1978 TO

DRAMATIZE YOUR SITUATION TO TBE WORLD.

GSTEERIN COMMITTEERACIAL JUSTICE wORKING GROUP

DRESOLUTION OF THE SECON ASSEMBLY

OF THE CARIBBEAN coNFERENCE OF CHURCHES (CCC)

GeorgetOwn, Guyana, November 16-23, 1977

partially debated and referred to the Continuation

Committee of the CCC, which approved it on 7 July

].978 at Mount St. Benedict, Trinidad & Tobago.

RESOLUTION #3HUMAN RIGHTm.

--rence of Churches,"bbean uo-=the Car]. es have the rightWhereas

convinced that al.puw= ,aendence, andto self-determinatlO anu [ le of

that this right app].].es to n wwthe

puertO Rico with no less force than to

people of other coloniaI terrltorle

Be it resolved that the Caribbean Conference of

churches:

i. Affirms the inalienab].e right of the

80

people of Puerto Rico to self-determinationand independence.

Requests the governments of the Caribbeancountries to uphold U.N. Resolution 1514(XV), calling for the right ofself-determination and independence ofPuerto Rico.

Be it

Declares that the presence of Un/ted Statesbases in Puerto Rico, as in other Caribbeanterritories, poses a threat to peace andsecurity in the Caribbean.

Urges Puerto Rican member Churches of theCCC to develop in their members anawareness of the serious socio-economicand cultural problems created by thecolonial status of Puerto Rico.

also resolved that the CCC, for humanitarianreasons, supports the call of our memberChurches (the Episcopal Church and others)for the release of Puerto Rican prisonersheld in United States prisons: LolitaLebron, Oscar Collazo, Irvin Flores, andRafael Cancel Miranda.

81

mphibious landing vehicles on Blue Beach, Vieques during "Ocean Venture

’Bl" in August.

RESOLUTION ON THE ISLAND OF VIEQUES, PUERTO RICOAdopted by the Governing Board of theNational Council of Churches of Christof the United States of America

November 14, 11978

WHEREAS:

WHEP2AS

WHEREAs:

WHEREAS:

WHEREAS:

The National Council of Churches ofChrist in the U.S.A. has historically beencommitted to work for human and civilrights, justice and redemption of theoppressed, and;

The occupation and control by the U.S.Navy and Marines of Over 70% of the landand sea of the Island of Vieques preventsthe economic development of its peopleand is the cause of Overcrowding of itspopulation in one small area, and;The shooting and bombing targets fromship-to-shore and a/r-to-ground by theNavy and Marines that occupy the Islandof Vieques cause serious dangers to thelives of its inhabitants, causing alsodisruptive noise and the cracking ofbuildings and houses, and;

Several church bodies in Puerto Rico havecalled for changes in relations andpractices of the Department of Defense inrelation to the Island of Vieques; andSeveral persons and institutions, such asthe General Assembly of the UnitedPresbyterian Church (a memberdenomination of the National Council ofChurches), and the Hispanic Caucus of the

83

WtIEREAS

U.S. Congress, and others, all from the

United States, have also called for the

cessation of the shooting and bombing and

the return of the territory under the

Navy and Marines control to the.people of

Vieques; and

The President of the United States as

Conander in Chief is invested with power

to stop such operations and withdraw from

the island the Marines and Navy;

THEN BE ITRESOLVED That the Governing Board of the

National Council of Churches

commend President Carter for

affirming his decision of giving

Puerto Rico the status which

Puerto Ricans decide they want

freely;

That the Governing Board of the

National Council of Churches ask

President Carter to instruct the

Department of Defense:

a. To cease all military exercises

and operations on the island of

Vieques;

b. To withdraw from the island of

Vieques all the Navy and Marine

personnel;

c. To appropriately relinquish

that portion of the island

presently owned by the

Department of Defense;

84

To compensate residents ofVieques where damage has beendone to their properties, orwhere deprivation of means oflivelihood has or does occur,and to repair physical damagesdone to the ecology ofcommunities during years ofmilitary use.

That the federal government incooperation with the government ofPuerto Rico provide developmen’tassistance to improve the economyof the people of Vieques.

That the Governing Board requestthe General Secretary of theNational Council of Churches ofChrist in the U.S.A. to write thePresident of the United Statesconveying to him the above message.

INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY DEVELOPERS, PROGRAMNATIONAL DIVISION, UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

RESOLUTION ON VIEQUES

The island of Vieques, part of Puerto Rico’sterritory, is presently occupied by a U.S. Navalbase which covers over 70% of the island. Thepopulation in Vieques includes farmers and

85

fishermen. The fishermen are trying to regain

their right to fish in the waters of Vieques. The

Naval base, and its on-shore and off-shore

activities, have denied the fishermen’s livelihood.

The fishermen of Vieques have been demanding the

removal of the U.S. Naval[ base and return of the

lad to the Puerto Rican people. Many

denominations, including the Puerto Rico Annual

Conference, have supported the demands of the

fishermen. Puerto Rican political leaders have

joined in this support as well.

The ICD/PRISA project is doing organizing work with

fishernen in Puerto Rico, including those in

Vieques. At present, Nelson Carrasquillo

(Developer), Juan Reyes (Policy Committee Chairman),

and Rev. Alberto Gonzalez (Pastor) are in Vieques

to support the fishermen in resisting the Naval

Maneuvers being conducted by the U.S. Navy.

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS the fishermen of Vieques are organizing

resistance to the U.S. Naval Maneuvers now going

on in Vieques, and

WHEREAS the United Methodist Church in

Puerto Rico has churches and ministries

on the Island of Vieques, and

WHEREAS tile United Methodist Annual

Conference of Puerto Rico has expressed

support for the fishermen in their

efforts, and

WHEREAS the ICD/PRISA project is deeply

involved in the organizing effort of

fishermen in Vieques, and

86

WHEREAS the National Division IndigenousComMunity Developer Program is concernedwith the self-development and liberationof poor and powerless people, therefore,let it be resolved that:

The National Division ICD program joinin the call for removal of the U.S.Naval base in Vieques island and thereturn of the territory to the PuertoRican people. Further, that we callupon our project onstituency andnetworks to join in support of thisresolution. Further, that thisresolution be immediately communicatedto the fishermen of Vieques, the PRISAICD project, the Puerto Rico AnnualConference, the National Division, andthe Secretary of the Navy, theDepartment of Defense, and the Presidentof the United States.

(Adopted by ICD project representatives on 1/20/79)

87

navy documents

THE "COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN"

The following document is a testimony of the

U.S. Navy as to the deceitful and vengefuI manner

in which it has decided to respond to the claims for

justice made by the people. In spite of the fact that

it was an internal document of the Navy "for

official use only" it has become public knowledge,

and reveals that the Navy has no intention o dealing

in good faith as far as Vieques is concerned.

Taking into consideration the fact that this is

a non-partisan struggle of all[ our people, in favor

of which leaders of a].l political parties have

expressed themselves, it is significant to note,

upon reading this document, the plans aimed at

dividing us through very well thought-out actions.

Just so, it is at once interesting and shameful

to see how the Navy plans to buy of the consience

of individuals, and of the people in eneral,

through the offer of services with which it seeks

only to anesthetize brains and close mouths. Their

aim is to divert our attention from the problem

into which they have forced us that of becoming

accomplices to destruction and slaughter through

88

war. Also, they would like to distract us from thefact that they have taken from us the sea, the land,our peace and our tranquility. They plan tomanipulate us in such a manner as to make us wantan endless continuation of this situation, to makeus desire and enjgy the ’showers of blessing"bestowed upon us by the Navy. All of thisdemonstrates a Great lack of respect for our ownunderstanding o2 what is right.

It is evident that this plan was not of recentconfection even in 1979, when it came into ourhands, because some of the Suggestions had alreadybeen implemented or tested. They have beenespecially manipulative with the children. Forexample, in May 1978 the Navy began USing thepublic schools and their students. Young peoplewere offered trlps to the naval base, picnics, ridesin navy warships and jobs. In 1981, the Navy’s’Community Liason Officer" Bill Negron reactivatedthe "Sea Cadets" program in Vieques. Viequenseyouth of the ages of i0 18 are receiving regularmilitary training. Negron has great control overthese young people, and in early September, heincited them to disrupt classes in the high school,to turn their fellow students against thoseteachers who are against the Navy’s presence inVieques. He armed them with sticks, rocks, andbottles; classes had to be suspended for a dayin order to prevent a riot.

With the help of this document the purposeof this and other actions of the Navy has becomeclear: to divide the Viequense family, thusdistracting us from our goal. Even if the peoplewere not daring enough to Speak frankly about theNavy, their own actions serve as judge.

89

MEMORANDUM

From

TO

Via

Subj

Public Affairs Officer

Commanding Officer

Executive Officer

Vieques, community re].ations plan for

It appears that in view of some of the subjectsdistressed in this moruing’s special interestmeeting, and because of our impeding loss ofCulebra, we should quickly and methodicallywork to shore up relat.ons on Vieques.

I strongly recommend the formation andimplementation of a spec.al command-widecomnun:ity relations plan for the island.This would include identifying variousinterest groups, pinpo:[nting problem areas,and assigning responsibilities for :individualprograms.

Because of the large scope and criticalimportance of the subject conunity to theNavy, I would not hesitate to recommend toCNO or CHINFO that they provide a Navy orindustrial public relations (community affairs)"expert" or team to visit the coland and theisland. The expert could study the problem,assess attitudes, determine naval stationassets, and supply raw data or help informulating a command community relations plan

90

for improving and maintaining relations on theisland.

The command could then implement the day-todaydispatch of the recommendations.

Very respectfully,

E.A. SHACKLEFORD

91

A. Increase Navy constituency on Vieques.

B. Heighten visibility "of NavyIMarine Corps community

relations efforts on Vieques.

C, Educate Puerto Rico publics on the requirement of

Navy and Marine Corps training at Vieques in terms

of units readiness and national security.

II. Execution

A. General1-ppoint Community Action Officer (civilian or

military must be SpaAish-speaking).

2. Develop a Community Action Plan with l__o_O_9_ands__hort term objectives.

3. Identify resources necessary to execute plan

(money, personnel military and civilian)

4. Lease/buiTd Commuflity Center as a place for

meetings, social events, youth group activities,

and special interest group activities.

Communications.

a. Identify groups/individuals including

friendly, neutral, and unfriendly as

targets for communications. Develop methods

of communication.

Associations (fishermen, cattlemen)Municipal officialsOpinion leadersCivlian-Hilitary Advisory Committee

YoutMunicipal Assembly

92

bo

8

Special

a.

Methods.I. Radio/TV spots explaining issues.2. Press releases to San Juan media (printand electronic)3. Bulletin board notices to be posted invarious locations in Vieques.4. Navy produced weekly n6wsletter/newspaperfor distribution to Viequeans.5. Column in San Juan newspapers dedicatedto Navy activity in Vi6ques and

Roosevelt Roads.6. Dedicated Navy/Vieques radio program.7. Presentation which explains the

Navy/Marine Corps use of Vieques thecontinuing requirement for Vieques land,and the importance of this training fornational security.Printed brochure which summarizes theabove information.

Groups.

Youth.

I. Sponsor/organize Little League baseballteam(s).2. Sponsor youth organization (similar toCatholic Youth League). Organize tripsto sporting events, outings, cruises,dances, etc.3. Sponsor Navy League Sea Cadet group.4. Sponsor Boy-Girl Scout Troops.5. Sponsor Tutorial Service to assist highschool level "slow learn6rs."

Senior Citizens.1. Sponsor Senior Citizens Group (arrange

regular meetings, trips, outings.,cruises.)

93

III.

Others.

i. Organize Navy League banch or affiliate.2. Organize adult education program.3. Organize Spanish-English language

program’(Viequeans and military).

3. Community Actions.

a. Arrange mobile mediCal/dental assistanceteam periodic visits.

b. Establish a "Vieques Community41ilitaryAdvisory Council." Membership to include:

-Governor’s representative-Vieques Mayor]Assistant Mayor-Associations (Cattlemen, Fishermen)-.Religious groups-Educators-Professional groups-Landowners

4. Vieques Task Group Team (VTGT)a. Organize a VTGT for the phased planning

and execution of the community action

plan to include:

-ConBander Naval Forces Caribbean-Team Leader’ (Community ActionOfficer)-Navy League Representative(s)-Vieques civilians-Appropriate Navy-Marine Corpsrepresentatives (i.e., Commanding

Officer of Camp GarcOn, doctor JAG,Sea Bee Commanding Officer, Chaplain,and PAO)

Items to be investigated.

A. Examine operational requirements to ascertain:

94

I. If present level of live ordnance firing isnecessary.

2. If Navy operations schedule can be arrangedto permit regularly scheduled access forVieques fishermen to danger zone.

Assess econoic-rlated’ihitiatives to rehderassistance to community.I. Identify Vieques contracters capable of

pe6forming on Navy contract work. Activelysolicit their bids,

2. Recruit in Vieques for civilian employees atRoosevelt Roads.

3. Re-schedule Vieques/Roosevelt Roads ferry tofacilitate transportation for Viequeansemployed at Roosevelt Roads.

4. Identify and mare available to Cattlemen’sAssociation Navy Reservists on ACDUTRAknowledgeable in land management andirrigation.

5. Coordinate with Commonwealth Community ActionGroup to develop new uses for Navy well water.Possibility exists that water could be used todevelop vegetable farm cooperative on CampGarcia.

6. Re-open Camp Garca air field as ViequesCivilian/Military air field. This field issafer and somewhat better located than civilianfield presently in use.

7. Determine feasibility of Navy assistance in theinstallation of telephone poles. Island hasextremely limited telephone system.

8. Coordinate with U.S. Postal Service todetermine feasibility of Navy assistance inenlarging Vieques Post Office. Over 7,000people live on the island with only 100 postboxes, There is no delivery service

9. Determine feasibility of Navy assistance tocattlemen in building slaughterhouse.

95

’s Personnel Augmentation.

Investigate feasibility of Naval Reserve Public

Affairs augmentation with CHINFO.Reorganize public affairs assets currentlyassigned to COMNAVFORCARIB and NAVSTA RooseveltRoad to establish Joint Public AffairsOffice.

Funding.

1. Inquire into the availability of funding tosupport the program.

Amphibious landing on Blue Beach, Vieques,

96

ADVERSE IMPACT ON PUERTO RICO IN VIEW OFPOSSIBLE LOSS OF TRAINING AREA ON VIEQUES

Stop PRNG/PRANG use of Vieques.

Cancel Solid Shield et the people know it

was because the Governor didn’% want it to takeplace. (Depends on arrangements with private landowners; if they get paid anyway, this will have noeffect).

Request CNFC analysis (Unclassified) of theimpact of loss of the Vieques training area uponemployment at Roosevelt Roads. The analysis shouldstress that without ground target complexes, thetraining conducted at AFWTF can be conducted inthe open ocean near the East Coast bases/Guantanamoat less expense. Emphasize savings to Navyresulting from cutback at Roosevelt Roads could beused for conducting training at other locations,including covering the cost of movement of airwings to other locations. (Net loss to Navy)

Point out to the Governor that if Navy doesnot have ground targets in Puerto Rico, the value ofRoosevelt Roads to Navy, Puerto Rico to Defense andPuerto Rico to U.S. diminishes significantly.Therefore, economic support of Puerto Rico by theU.S. is not as strongly justified and Puerto Ricostatehood would have less support.

Point out to the Governor that we must maintainour facilities on Vieques for wartime training evenif we are not able to train during peacetime, i.e.,no excessing.

97

Convene the Culebra Cow,mission. Respond toPuerto Rico’s requests for information. Put thebali in Puerto Rico’s court to find so].ution toCulebra issue. If Puerto Rico is not forthcoming,notify appropriate members of U.S. Congress an GSAthat Puerto Rico is not negot..iating in gooc] faith.

Reduce temp employees at Roosevelt Roads.Total of 136 employed presently.

Reduce permanent employees at Roosevelt Roads.

Cancel service contracts at Roosevelt Roads.

Prosecute all trespassing to :full extent oflaw.

Cancel cattle grazing leases.

Do not award Camp Garcia security guardcontract.

Cancel NAD Vieques Security guard contract.

*Fire Vieques employees at NDA Vieques.

*Investigate with HUD, the funding for Vieques.

*Fishing Association’s fishing boats and crews,with view towards repossessing the boats.

-6-lecommen--6we not implement, as itprobably would alienate our supporters on Vieques.

98

99

movimiento ecum6nico nacionalde puerto rico

PRISA IN(’.

apartado 2448, bayam6n, p.r. 00619

INC.