    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book I)]
    [February 1, 2000]
    [Pages 166-167]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Videotaped Address to the People of Puerto Rico on Efforts To Resolve
    the Impasse Over Armed Forces Training on Vieques Island
    February 1, 2000

        My fellow citizens, last April there was a tragic accident at the
    Navy range on Vieques. I deeply regret the loss to the family of David
    Sanes and the suffering of others injured on
    that day.
        That accident focused attention on the longstanding concerns of the
    island about training operations there. It led to a strong view in the
    Commonwealth that the Navy should end its training on Vieques. I
    understand why many people feel that way.
        At the same time, as Commander in Chief, I must do all I can to
    ensure that our service men and women get the very best training
    possible. I know you understand that. Many Puerto Ricans have served
    with real distinction in our Armed Forces. You have never turned your
    back on your duty to share in the defense of our country.
        For more than 50 years, Vieques has been a central part of our
    training for the Atlantic Fleet. The reason this is such a difficult
    issue is because right now there are no alternative sites that provide
    the same combined training opportunities.
        For the past 9 months, we've been working closely with Governor
    Rossello and Resident Commissioner Romero-
    Barcelo to find a solution that
    meets our training needs and addresses fairly the concerns of the people
    of Vieques. Today I'm announcing a course of action that will give the
    people of Vieques themselves the right to determine the future of the
    island, while at the same time assuring that our training needs are met.
        Between later this year and early 2002, the people of Vieques will
    vote. In that vote, the people of Vieques will be asked to choose
    between two alternatives. If they choose the first alternative, the Navy
    will cease all training on Vieques and leave the island by May 1, 2003.
    If they choose the other alternative, training will continue on Vieques
    on terms that will be presented in detail at least 3 months before the
    vote.
        I believe this is the best way to resolve the impasse over Vieques
    because it gives the people most affected by this decision, the people
    who actually live on the island, the right to determine for themselves
    which course of action we should take. In the meantime, until that vote
    is held, we're taking several other steps to ensure that our service men
    and women get the training they need, while addressing the needs of
    Vieques.
        First, during the period leading up to the vote, I am ordering the
    training done on Vieques will be limited to nonexplosive ordnance,
    meaning there will be no live fire. I am also directing the Navy and
    Marine Corps to cut in half the amount of time they will spend training.
    In 1998 our troops trained for

    [[Page 167]]

    182 days on Vieques; this year they will be authorized for 90 days.
        Second, to address the problems caused by past training, we will
    implement measures to meet the health, safety, environmental, and
    economic concerns of the people of Vieques. Measures we will implement
    include positioning Navy ships to reduce noise; development of a new
    ferry pier and terminal; creating a new commercial fishing area;
    temporary compensation for fishermen; expanding and improving roads; a
    bioluminescent bay preservation program; a job training program for
    young people; providing land to extend the airport runway; and a public
    health service study.
        Third, I will also ask Congress to begin transferring title to land
    on the western quarter of the island to Puerto Rico.
        In the event that the residents of Vieques vote to continue training
    on the island, in recognition of the burden such training places on the
    community, we will increase the investment we make to meet
    infrastructure and development needs. In the event that they vote for an
    end to training, we will dispose of the land through the normal Federal
    process.
        To make this solution work, I need your help. I understand the
    deeply held views people have on this issue. I understand that for many
    residents the accident exacerbated old wounds about the effect the
    training was having on your quality of life. They reflect a distrust
    that, unfortunately, has been building for decades.
        As a Defense Department panel found, we have not always been good
    neighbors on Vieques. But I believe this plan will help resolve the
    impasse over Vieques in the fairest possible way, because it gives the
    people most affected by the decision the ability to choose for
    themselves what the future of their island will be.
        I hope I can count on the cooperation of all the people of Puerto
    Rico to implement the measure I have outlined, to allow the training of
    our troops to continue in a responsible and much more limited manner
    during this period, while addressing the long-time concerns of the
    residents of La Isla Nena.
        I want to thank Governor Rossello for his
    unceasing effort to work out a resolution to this difficult impasse.
    Puerto Ricans and the people of Vieques have contributed greatly to our
    Nation's security. I am very grateful for that. And I hope all of us can
    work together with our Congress and with the government and Governor of
    Puerto Rico to implement this plan.
        Thank you, and God bless you.

    Note: The address was videotaped at approximately 6:15 p.m. on January
    31 in the Map Room at the White House for later broadcast. The
    transcript was embargoed for release until 5 p.m. on February 1. In his
    remarks, the President referred to Gov. Pedro Rossello and Resident
    Commissioner Carlos A. Romero-Barcelo of Puerto Rico. A tape was not
    available for verification of the content of this address.