Vieques

[laplaya]

SAN JUAN (AP) - Viequenses will have to face for four more years the

dangers of exploding bombs and artifacts that remain unexploded in

the land and sea of the Isla Nena.

U.S. Navy spokeswoman Kelly Sterling confirmed notices of the Coast

Guard and the Federal Aviation Administration for boats and planes,

warning them about the dangerousness of the explosions, which are

being conducted as part of the cleanup work of the Vieques land that

was used as a military target range.

The notice stipulates that "from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., operations will

be conducted to the North, East, and South of the island of

Vieques". It also details the coordinates of the prohibited waters

and warns boats to avoid the area, for security reasons, for the

next four years.

Vieques Pro Rescue and Development Committee spokesman Robert Rabin

said the notice "reaffirms the concerns that the Navy will continue

to contaminate the environment for many years... adding to the

environment the same dangerous chemical substances that have caused

a health crisis in the community".

"The Navy continues to destroy our natural resources and contaminate

our environment with their cleanup practices," he said.

According to Sterling, the Navy estimates that the East area of

Vieques, which was used for military exercises for more than 60

years, has between 22,500 and 67,500 unexploded artifacts in some

nine acres.

"There are many things there we want to eliminate," said Sterling,

who could not say how many unexploded bombs are in the waters.

The official said the municipality was advised about the detonation

of the explosives, though the population was not directly warned.

The Environmental Protection Agency and "other regulatory agencies"

she did not specify was also advised.

"We didn't advise the community because there are no people within a

10-mile radius," Sterling said in a telephone interview from

Virginia.

[laplaya]

Once again the navy lies when it said "We didn't advise the community because there are no people within a

10-mile radius," Sterling said in a telephone interview from

Virginia"

Vieques is only 22 miles long from one end to the other, the civilian population does live within 10 miles from the bombing range.
The bombing range is on the East side of the island , the wind goes from the East to the West over the civilian population.

[AnotherRican]

That's your own opinion. You are entitled to being wrong.

Originally Posted by laplaya

Once again the navy lies when it said "We didn't advise the community because there are no people within a

10-mile radius," Sterling said in a telephone interview from

Virginia"

Vieques is only 22 miles long from one end to the other, the civilian population does live within 10 miles from the bombing range.
The bombing range is on the East side of the island , the wind goes from the East to the West over the civilian population.

[laplaya]

It's not an opinion it's a fact dispute the fact with facts not your opinions

[AnotherRican]

Originally Posted by laplaya

It's not an opinion it's a fact dispute the fact with facts not your opinions

If you look closely at your AP article, it quotes individuals interviewed. The only true facts in that article was the quoting of the US goverment official reporting what the US government is doing. The rest is opinion and reactions to what the official said and what the USA is doing. I did look at the facts. When you post opinions about a USA activity in article form and you do so because you agree with those opinions, that means you are pushing YOUR opinion.

[laplaya]

Some of the "opinions" are facts quoted ny navy spokeswomen Kelly Sterling

Come to Vieques and see that 1/2 of the island is still closed.
On second thought, don't come to Vieques

[AnotherRican]

Originally Posted by laplaya

Some of the "opinions" are facts quoted ny navy spokeswomen Kelly Sterling

Come to Vieques and see that 1/2 of the island is still closed.
On second thought, don't come to Vieques

YOu are just saying what I am saying. Case closed.