Last week’s heated Congressional debate on Puerto Rico threw the national spotlight on what is America’s oldest and largest colony. In the middle of crucial shipping lanes, and strategically positioned in the northeastern part of the Caribbean, for the last 100 years Puerto Rico has been an important U.S. military site.

Now the Pentagon wants to expand its facilities on the 8,000 acres of land that it now controls on the Puerto Rican island of Vieques.

Guests:

• Rafael Rivera-Castano, of the Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques, a group opposed to U.S. military bases and training grounds on the Puerto Rican island of Vieques. Call (787)741-8650.
• Dr. Neftali Garcia, of Scientific and Technical Services, a non-profit environmental research and consulting group that works with local communities, government agencies and private entities.

Related links:

• 3/3/98 Pacifica Network News–“Puerto Rico Considers Statehood”
• 3/4/98 Pacifica Network News–“Stateside Puerto Ricans”
• Latino Link

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