friendsoflatinamerica

Recruiting For Iraq War Undercut in Puerto Rico

By Paul Lewis

Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, August 18, 2007;  Page A01

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- The political activists, brown envelopes tucked under their arms, staked out the high school gates just after sunrise. When students emerged from the graffiti-scorched streets of the Rio Piedra neighborhood here and began streaming toward their school, the pro-independence advocates ripped open the envelopes and began handing the teens fliers emblazoned with the slogan: "Our youth should not go to war."

At the bottom of the leaflet was a tear sheet that students could sign and later hand to teachers, to request that students' personal contact information not be released to the U.S. Defense Department or to anyone involved in military recruiting.

To read comments on this article go to:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/17/AR2007081702175_Comments.html

For a printable copy of the PIP flyer go to:
http://www.independencia.net/pdf/ReclutJovenesNoGuerra07.pdf

Navy should use detonation chambers in Vieques

[ViequesLibre] Navy should use detonation chambers in Vieques (AP)
http://www.prwow. com/news/ eng/all_news. php?ct_id= 1

Posted: Saturday, August 11, 2007

SAN JUAN (AP) – Two university professors Saturday proposed to ask the U.S. Navy to use detonation chambers to explode the ammunition found in the former restricted zone in Vieques, as part of their cleaning process.

University of Puerto Rico (UPR) Natural Sciences Chemistry Professor Jorge Colón and California Mills University Geography and Ethnic Studies Professor Déborah Santana say openly exploding these bombs contaminates the civil zone.

They both agreed the Navy has not wanted to admit there is a process of exploding up to 250 pound bombs inside a controlled chamber and they believe it is because it would be more expensive.

On the Anniversary of the death of David Sanes

The inconclusive struggle of Vieques
OPINION -EL DIARIO LA PRENSA- 04/19/2007
Déborah Berman Santana
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The historic struggle of Vieques, Puerto Rico, that in 2003 forced closure of the United States Navy's bombing range, is known throughout the world. This struggle was reactivated on April 19, 1999, when military jets dropped two bombs on an observation post, killing civilian security guard David Sanes Rodríguez.

However, what viequenses call the "Four D's" - demilitarization, decontamination, devolution (return of lands), and sustainable community development - has received less attention.

Independent scientists have reinforced the argument that pollution generated by military activities is mainly responsible for the higher proportion of diseases such as cancer in Vieques than in Puerto Rico. For example, a comparison of mercury concentration in women from Vieques, Puerto Rico and the U.S. discovered that women from Vieques, a rural island, have been more exposed than in the industrialized areas.

Peace for Vieques Video: Puya - Pa' Tí Pa' Mí

Vieques: A Long way home

March 18 – May 18, 2006
Museo Fuerte Conde de Mirasol
Vieques, Puerto Rico

Panel discussion:
Saturday, March 18, 2006 at 6:00pm
Opening reception with special performance: Saturday, March 18, 2006 at 7:30pm
Contact: Bonnie Donohue (617) 327-8898 (English)/Robert Rabín (787) 375-0525 (Spanish)

For more information on Vieques, on the expropriations and on theexhibition, visit César Ayala's website and check for updates

Though "unspoiled" in one sense of the word the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico is riddled with paradoxical relationships of breathtaking natural views and hidden spoilers produced by 60 years of bombing practice and US Navy occupation of the site.