[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.