    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [December 3, 1999]
    [Pages 2205-2206]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on United States Military Training on Vieques Island, Puerto
    Rico
    December 3, 1999

        For several weeks, we have been working on how best to reconcile the
    imperative of providing satisfactory training for our Armed Forces, with
    the strong feelings of many residents of Vieques and Puerto Rico about
    the impact of training operations there. I have discussed this with the
    Governor of Puerto Rico, the Secretary of
    Defense, the Secretary of the Navy, the Chief of Naval Operations, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and others.
        Today the Secretary of Defense has
    recommended a plan of action which I believe offers the best avenue to
    addressing both needs. I have accepted that recommendation and am
    directing the Secretary of Defense to work with the people of Vieques
    and Puerto Rico so that we can move forward in a cooperative manner.
        I understand the longstanding concerns of residents of the island.
    These concerns cover a wide range of issues, from health and safety to
    the economy and the environment. They reflect a distrust that,
    unfortunately, has been building for decades. Those concerns must be
    addressed, and I believe our plan will do so in a constructive manner.
        At the same time, as Commander in Chief, I cannot send our service
    men and women into harm's way if they have not been adequately trained.
    The training that our Atlantic Fleet has undertaken on Vieques since
    1941 is important. While the Navy and the Marine Corps will develop a
    satisfactory alternative for the upcoming exercise, it will take several
    years to develop a comparable long-term replacement.
        The plan I am adopting today provides for the end of training on
    Vieques within 5 years, unless the people of Vieques choose to continue

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    the relationship; restricts training activities during the transition
    period to those required by the Services; sets forth an ambitious
    economic development plan for Vieques that would be implemented during
    this transition; and gives the people of Puerto Rico and the Navy an
    opportunity to discuss this plan in order for it to be understood fully
    before training resumes this spring for this transitional period.
        In particular, the following steps will be undertaken:
        First, the Navy and the Marine Corps will make alternative
    arrangements which they deem satisfactory for training of the Eisenhower
    Battle Group and the WASP Amphibious Ready Group, scheduled for
    December. While such arrangements can be undertaken for the Eisenhower
    and WASP groups, they do not constitute a long-term alternative to
    Vieques. Rather, this period will provide an opportunity for the people
    of Vieques to discuss this plan with the Navy and the Marine Corps and
    understand it fully.
        Second, we will resume training next spring for a transition period,
    no longer than 5 years. This will enable the Navy to develop a suitable,
    long-term alternative. Training on Vieques will cease after this
    transition period unless the people of Vieques decide it should be
    continued. The Navy and the Marine Corps will develop a timetable to
    phase out operations in Vieques as soon as possible during the
    transition period, including transferring title of land to Puerto Rico
    beginning with the western quarter of the island.
        Third, when training resumes for this transition period, it will be
    limited to inert ordnance only--no live fire--unless and until the
    people of Vieques decide differently. Training will be authorized for 90
    days a year, what we need to meet our essential training needs.
        Finally, when training resumes, we will implement an ambitious
    program that addresses the concerns that the community has had for so
    long and that has been spelled out by the Secretary of Defense.
        I am convinced that this plan meets my essential responsibility as
    Commander in Chief to assure that our military forces are satisfactorily
    trained and ready, while at the same time addressing the legitimate
    concerns of the people of Vieques. It provides some breathing space so
    that the people on the island and the Navy and Marine Corps can proceed
    in an orderly and mutually respectful fashion.