Viequenses denounce resumption of bombing Committee for the Rescue and Development of V - 18.03.2002 04:06
Viequenses denounce resumption of bombing will cause more cancer related deaths they are prepared to undertake Civil Disobedience. Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques PO Box 1424 Vieques, Puerto Rico 00765 Telefax (787) 741-1717 E mail: bieke@prdigital.com 16 March, 2002 Press Release Viequenses denounce resumption of bombing will cause more cancer related deaths The Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques (CRDV) denounced plans by the Navy to resume bombing here in April as the continuation of a genocidal policy against the people of Vieques that began in the 1940´s. Spokespersons for the community group mentioned that with live or `inert´ bombs, the use of the bombing range on the East end of Vieques will disperse into the air dangerous toxics accumulated there during sixty years of bombing. They asserted that the increase in toxic particulates in the environment, that always occurs with military exercises, will produce more cancer victims in Vieques. The Navy admitted in May of 1999 they had fired uranium projectiles on Vieques. The uranium oxide produced on impact of these projectiles can travel more than tweny miles in the wind – the civilian population lives less than 10 miles downwind from the bombing zone. A study by Viequense chemical engineer and ex artillery officer, Rafael Cruz Pérez, demonstrates how heavy metals and other cancer causing elements are transported by wind currents to the civilian area. In past weeks, no less than half a dozen Viequenses have died from different types of cancer, sickness related to environmental contamination. "We will do everything humanly possible, using peacefull civil disobedience, to defend the safety of our people," said Nilda Medina, of the CRDV. "If the government cannot protect us from this threat to the health of our children, our older folks and all Viequenses, we have no alternative but to defend ourselves", added Medina. .:**~**:._.:**~**:._.:**~**:._.:**~**:._.:**~**:. |Visit: | | http://www.ViequesLibre.org | | | |Subscribe: | | ViequesLibre-subscribe@yahoogroups.com | | | |Unsubscribe: | | ViequesLibre-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com | | | .:**~**:._.:**~**:._.:**~**:._.:**~**:._.:**~**:. E-Mail: bieke@prdigital.com Website: http://www.viequeslibre.org |