Vieques votes U.$. Navy out; U.$. continues bombing

By MC17

On July 29 residents of Vieques once again demonstrated that they want the Navy off of their island. In a referendum that drew 80.5% of the voting population, 68% voted for the "Immediate and permanent termination of the military exercises and bombings of the Navy in Vieques. Withdrawal of the Navy from Vieques and cleaning and return of the viequense lands to its citizens."

The next day an eviction notice was handed to the U.$. Navy on the island by the mayor of Vieques. The united $tates considers the referendum nonbinding, meaning that they don't plan to listen to the will of the people and will continue with the training exercises. But it does demonstrate that the anti- navy protesters are not just a vocal minority as Navy supporters like to claim.

President Bush is sticking with his plan to continue bombing Vieques until 2003. In typical imperialist style, Bush plans to hold his own referendum in Vieques in November which will only give the people the option of choosing between his plan or the Navy remaining indefinitely. Consistent with U.$. electoral practice around the world: When unable to control the outcome of a vote, control the terms of voting. Oh, and try to buy off the voters. Two weeks ago the Navy announced a program to compensate fishermen $100 per day that bombing exercises prevent them for working. At the same time the Navy announced grants of up to $25,000 to help small businesses get started on Vieques. Of course the united $tates has been trying to buy the support of the Puerto Rican people for many years. Supporters of the Navy on the island expressed fear that an anti-Navy vote could jeopardize $14 billion in annual federal aid.

The passion of the Puerto Rican people surrounding this issue was apparent in the voting; within four hours of the polling stations opening 75% of the island's registered voters had cast their ballots. It is no surprise that the Navy is ignoring the will of the Puerto Rican people. The U.$. navy is all about ignoring the will of the people around the world. It's purpose, along with the rest of the imperialist military, is to put down any resistance to U.$. imperialism around the world.

Notes: Associated Press, July 29, 2001.