May 31, 2000,
NEW YORK CITY – Protestors have been removed from Vieques, but efforts continue to
end U.S. military use of that Puerto Rican island for target practice. A National Council of Churches delegation will
visit Puerto Rico, including Vieques, June 1-3 to send that message and to meet with
Puerto Rican church and community leaders to plan next steps.
“Over the
next six months, the Congress of the United States has to deal with the issue of providing
funds for the island’s clean up and the opportunity for a referendum in Puerto Rico
on determining the future use of this island,” said the Rev. Dr. Bob Edgar, NCC
General Secretary, who will lead the six-member delegation.
“Many
religious leaders, including the NCC leadership, are concerned that this island has been
abused by our military for many years,” he said.
“We honor the demonstrators who risked their lives over the past year
to express a concern all of us have about the Navy’s use of Vieques as a bombing
range.
“In this
day of technological advances,” Dr. Edgar said, “we think the Navy can find
other ways to practice and does not need to use this island for that purpose. I go with an open mind and open ears to listen to
the concerns of the local community and the local religious leadership and I go with a
concern about how our government, the U.S. government will handle this over the next
several months.”
One hoped-for outcome of the
delegation’s visit is “a strategy to move towards a quick resolution of this
issue, including a quick referendum so the wishes of the people can be known, then swift
action,” Dr. Edgar said.
In addition to
Dr. Edgar, of New York, delegation members are: The Rev. Canon Brian Grieves, Director of
Peace and Justice Ministries of The Episcopal Church, New York, and a member of the
NCC/Church World Service and Witness Unit Committee; the Rev. Dr. Nozomi Ikuta, Minister
for Liberation Ministries, United Church Board for Homeland Ministries, Cleveland; the
Rev. Dr. Leslie F. Weber, Jr., Associate Executive Director, Division for Church in
Society, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Chicago; Ms. Rebecca Cruz, former chair
of the NCC Inclusiveness and Justice Standing Committee, of the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ), Chicago, and the Rev. Oscar Bolioli, NCC/CWSW Director for Latin
America and the Caribbean, New York. The
delegation’s itinerary and media contacts follow.
Itinerary: NCC Delegation to Puerto
Rico - In Solidarity with Vieques
June 1 - 3, 2000
12:30pm - Departure from Lobby of Hotel Condado
Plaza to Restaurant Valencia, Ave. Munoz Rivera 1000, Hato Rey (tel: 764-3790)
1:00pm - Lunch Meeting with leaders of the
Evangelical Council of Churches, Restaurant Valencia, Hato Rey
3:00pm - Press Conference (Restaurant
Valencia, Hato Rey)
7:30pm
- Dinner Meeting with representatives of civil society and Church World Service (Sao
Paulo Process) partners in Puerto Rico -- Restaurant Tony Roma, Condado Plaza (Laguna
Wing) (tel: 722-0322)
7:15am
- Departure to Isla Grande Airport
8.30am
- Departure of flight to Vieques
10:00am
- Meeting at Conde de Mirasol Fort with representatives of Vieques groups seeking
peace and justice in Vieques
1:00pm
- Trip to several strategic places
4:00pm
- Flight to San Juan
4.30
pm - Arrival to Isla Grande Airport
7.30 pm - Working Dinner with Puerto Rico Church
leaders on future strategies
Media Contacts
In San Juan: Wanda Colon (Caribbean Project for
Justice and Peace), (H) 787-754-7343; (O) 787-722-1640 and 787-722-2680 (Fax) 787-724-5789
The Rev. Felix and Maria Esther Ortiz of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), CWS
Technical Representatives for Latin America and the Caribbean, (H) 787-274-0469; (O
Phone/Fax) 787-250-0853; (Cell) 787-547-5225
In New York: NCC News, 212-870-2227
-end-
Contact: NCC News
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