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Puerto Rico Gov. Wants U.S. Base to Stay
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Puerto Rico's government hopes the U.S. Navy (news - web sites) won't close its Roosevelt Roads Naval Station after it halts bombing exercises on the nearby island of Vieques in May, the U.S. territory's governor said. Gov. Sila Calderon, who had pressed for a halt to the training, said Wednesday that her government will lobby for the base on the main island of Puerto Rico to remain open. With some 4,800 employees and temporary contractors, Roosevelt Roads is one of the the region's largest employers. "The people of Puerto Rico don't have any interest in the closing of the Roosevelt Roads base," Calderon said. "The government of Puerto Rico is interested in that base staying in Puerto Rico, for all the economic benefits." The Navy says training now under way is the last scheduled on Vieques. It will abandon its firing range there by May 1, turning over the island's eastern third to the U.S. Department of the Interior to become a wildlife refuge. The United States stopped all live-fire training in Vieques in 1999 after a guard was accidentally killed. It has used non-explosive bombs and shells since then. Once the Navy leaves Vieques, all operations at Roosevelt Roads associated with Vieques will be discontinued, Navy officials have said. Adm. Robert Natter, commander of the Atlantic Fleet, went further last week, saying: "Without Vieques there is no way I need the Navy facilities at Roosevelt Roads â none." Other Navy officials said any decision about closing the base in eastern Puerto Rico would have to be made by an independent commission that has yet to begin its work. The Navy estimates the base injects some $300 million each year into the Caribbean island's economy. Training continued Thursday with two U.S. warships firing inert shells at the island. The USS Arleigh Burke and USS Cape St. George participated in the training, said Lt. Cmdr. Kim Dixon, a spokeswoman. President Franklin Roosevelt ordered the base built in 1940, and it was used for World War II naval operations. The Navy has trained on Vieques since 1947. Opponents say the exercises have damaged the environment and the health of the island's 9,100 residents, but the Navy denies the accusations. Well, Boo-Hoo-Hoo, Sila. 4800 jobs gone, but the birds and trees are safe. Do you think Adm. Natter got major satisfaction shoving it up her butt? Posted by: tu3031 2003-01-17 |
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