Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques
PO Box 1424 Vieques, Puerto Rico 00765
(787) 741-0716 E mail: bieke@coqui.net
27 September, 2000
PRESS RELEASE:Activities in the days leading up to the first of October
Spokesmen for the Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques (CRDV) and the Peace and Justice Camp announced several protest and educational activities in the days leading up to the first of October, when a large scale march and protest will take place here in support of civil disobedience actions for peace on Vieques. On Friday, 29 September at 7PM in the Peace and Justice Camp, the documentary film, Crossing fronteirs (Cruzando fronteras), by filmaker Sonia Fritz, about the participation of Viequense women in the struggle for demilitarization.
Saturday, 30 September, a very special vigil will be held at Peace and Justice Camp, in front of the entrance to the bombing range (Camp Garcia), beginning around 7PM. In addition to the lively protests in front of the gates to the base - action taken by the CRDV every Saturday for over a year - musicians from Vieques and the main island will sing for Peace on the "lsla Nena" (Baby Island, nickname for Vieques). Ruben Bonano and Mercedes Perez from Vieques and the singer/songwriters from Puerto Rico, Zoraida Santiago and Noel Hernandez will offer their music during the vigil.
At 5:00 in the morning of Sunday, an early moring wake up action, know in Spanish as a Diana, will move through the different neighborhoods of Vieques announcing the actions of the day. According to Judith Conde, of the Vieques Womens Alliance,"we will take a message with Plena music throughout Vieques to urge our people to participate in the protest activities of this day."
Organizers of the October 1st activities will offer details that night about the march and protest that will take place the following day beginning at 11AM in the Sun Bay Public Beach area in Esperanza.
Around a thousand people are expected to arrive in Vieques over the weekend and the Vieques community organizations estimate the same number of Viequenses will participate in the marcha and protest. Robert Rabin, one of the spokesman for the CRDV indicated that the activities of this week mark the beginning of a series of actions planned for October and designed to create obstacles to Navy plans to carry out maneuvers during this period.
Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques
PO Box 1424 Vieques, Puerto Rico 00765
(787) 741-0716 E mail: bieke@coqui.net
27 September, 2000
PRESS RELEASE:Concentration/March in Support of Civil Disobedience the First of October
Several camping areas have been prepared in Vieques to house the hundreds of protesters that will arrive from the main island this week end to participate in the Concentration/March en Support of Civil Disobedience the First of October.
Nilda Medina, representative of the Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques (CRDV) on the October 1st Organizing Committee, indicated that "...four areas have been prepared for protesters during the week end. In the Public Beach (Sun Bay), fifty spaces are reserved for campers at a cost of ten dollars per tent. Two other spaces have been prepared in the Esperanza Sector and international delegates will stay at the Peace and Justice Shelter in our camp of the same name, in front of the gates to the Navy base.
Medina emphasized the importance of communicating with the organizers of the activities about housing and participation in the activities here this week end. The Viequenses suggested that those who can should travel to Vieques beginning Friday, 29 September, to avoid problems of congestion due to the large number of people who will travel in the Ferries between Fajardo and Vieques on Saturday and Sunday. They also remind campers to bring necesarry materials: tents, matresses, sleeping bags, flashlights and drinking water.
For more information or to coordinate participation in the pro peace actions on Vieques, call the Peace and Justice Camp at 741-0716.
Contacto: Nilda Medina, CRDV
People's Action for Reform of the Unjust Rep. of Korea-US Status of Forces Agreement
Thu, 28 Sep 2000 07:54:15 EDT
Dear friends,
Greetings from Seoul!
I would like to inform you that the People's Action for Reform of the Unjust ROK-US SOFA send its delegation to the US in order to revise US-South Korea Status of Forces Agreement(SOFA) fully and urge Governments of US and South Korea to begin to negotiate SOFA revision rapidly.
I attach the press release on it below.
In peace and solidarity,
Gyung-Lan Jung
Women Making Peace
Korean Delegation Goes to US to Demand Revisions to Unjust Treaty Governing US Troops in South Korea
Delegates representing a coalition of over 140 South Korean civic groups are visiting New York and Washington DC from September 21-October 1, 2000. The delegates from the People's Action for Reform of the Unjust ROK-US SOFA (PAR-SOFA) go to US to call for changes to the Status of Armed Forces Agreement (SOFA), the treaty that governs US troops in South Korea.
The delegates will attend International Action day for Vieques, Puerto Rico in 11:00 AM on Friday, Sept. 22 in front of White House and give a solidarity speech.
And on Tuesday, Sept. 26, from 3:00-5:00 PM at the Institute for Policy Studies, 733 15th St. NW.
In comparison to the SOFA treaties made with Japan and Germany, ROK-US SOFA is far more lax, allowing US troops far more leeway in terms of crimes committed, environmental pollution, and unresponsiveness to Korean civilians who have suffered from deaths, injuries, or damage to property inflicted by US troops.
Most recently:
- Environment:
- 2/9/00 USFK personnel at Yongsan base poured 20 gallons of formaldehyde down a drain leading to Han river, main source of water for Seoul. It was found that this has been an ongoing practice by USFK.
- Bases:
- 5/8/00 Maehyang-ri village by Koon-ni Bombing Range, the US Airforce's only bombing range in East Asia had suffered 170 houses damaged and 7 people injured, when an A-10 fights plane with engine trouble dropped 6 live 500-pound bombs to reduce the weight in a nearby bay. Maehyang-ri has for years endured extreme noise (90-100 dB) and environmental (lead, cadmium) pollution, accidental deaths (12) and injuries (28), as well as serious health problems to its residents.
- Criminal Justice:
- 2/19/00 US GI Christopher McCarthy strangled a 31-year-old Korean waitress to death. For this he received an eight year sentence.
- 3/11 /00 a 68-year-old Korean woman was found beaten to death. Crimes committed by US soldiers are difficult to convict. The US can demand jurisdiction over cases any time (which has been done in 98% of cases since the implementation of SOFA in 1967).
Delegation:
- Father Moon Jeong-Hyeon(standing co-representative of PAR-SOFA)
- Ms. Lee Hyun-Sook(PAR-SOFA, Women Making Peace)
- Ms. Byun Yon-Sik(PAR-SOFA, Korea House for International Solidarity)
- Mr. Kim Yong Han(PAR-SOFA)
- Mr. Choi Jae-hun(Korea House for International Solidarity)
Heading the delegation is Father Moon Jeong-Hyeon, a Catholic priest who has been an active leader in the movement for democracy and labor rights in South Korea for over thirty years.
"In 1991, we tried to push for the reform of SOFA during the negotiations but at that time there wasn't a strong people's coalition to emphasize our demands. So in fact, the results were worse than the SOFA we had before. Now, many different groups have realized how serious the problems of SOFA are. We cannot pass up this opportunity to make real changes to SOFA."
Demands
- Obtain Justice for Korean Victims of Violent Crimes
1. Guarantee of the right of criminal jurisdiction of local police, prosecutorial, and judicial authorities in all stages of criminal process --investigation, trial, and execution of sentence. At present an American suspect remains free on US base property until conviction, hampering the gathering of evidence by Korean authorities. Also the US retains the right to claim jurisdiction over the suspect at any time (which it has done so in 98% of the cases since SOFA was implemented in 1967).
- Provide a Fair Opportunity for Korean Civilians to Have Their Grievances Acknowledged
2. Provision of concrete and detailed procedural regulations for civil claims, civil law suits, and enforcement of the ruling of the local courts. Currently Korean citizens have limited and ineffective means to pursue claims of wrongdoing or damages caused by US troops.
- Establish a Reasonable Land Use policy
3. Provision of rational policy, regulation, and guidelines for making land available for use by the U.S. Armed Forces, its management, and its eventual return. Under SOFA, base land available to the USFK is leased rent-free for an unlimited period of time, with no regulations on how the land is used. Thus in violation of zoning laws, hotels and even a golf course have been constructed on base land.
- Include Environmental Regulation Articles in SOFA
4. Clear statement of the responsibility of the U.S. government for the consequences of environmental pollution and degradation resulting in the bases.
There is currently no article under SOFA that addresses any environmental problems arising from deliberate or accidental pollution related to the bases. There is also no requirement for the U.S. government to restore the base environment prior to withdrawal from the land, thus USFK is free to pollute without any stipulations.
- Labor Rights for Korean employees of US Bases
5. Guarantees for the labor and human rights of Korean-national workers employed within the bases.
Currently Korean employees at US bases are not assured of their labor rights as guaranteed under Korean labor law. Thus employees can be fired without prior notice and their rights to organize are limited as well.
- Reduce Tax-free Imports of US goods
6.Repeal of the excessive preferential treatment to those subject to the Treaty in terms of entry and customs duties for imports and taxation. There is no means for Korean customs authorities to inspect or regulate the tax-free import of goods because of SOFA that end up disrupting the local market. It also makes prevention of the entrance of dangers
- Fair Treatment for Korean Women and Amerasian Children
7. Provide appropriate cultural conduct and sex education information to US military personnel to reduce friction with Korean neighbors. US soldiers should be examined regularly to prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases. The US government should also take responsibility for the financial costs of raising children fathered by US soldiers. There are presently over 1,000 children who don't receive support from their fathers.
People's Action for Reform of the Unjust ROK-US SOFA
Address: Jongdong Bldg., Annex 5th Fl., 15-5
Jong-Dong, Jung-GU, Seoul, 110-120 Korea
Tel no: 82-2757-7386
Fax no: 82-2-757-7383
E-mail address: krsy@chollian.net
Web site: http://sofa.jinbo.net
US Contact:
Choi Jae-hun (Korean House for International Solidarity),
Andrew Wells-Dang (Asia Pacific Center for Justice and Peace)
Tel. (202) 543-1094
the case of Vieques resister, PFC David Rivera
Thu, 28 Sep 2000 14:18:10 EDT
Please pass this on...
Puerto Rico Libre
Citizen Soldier
267 Fifth Avenue # 901
New York NY 10016
Tel: 212-679-2250
Fax: 212-679-2252
Contact: Tod Ensign, Esq.
To Whom it May Concern:
RE; the case of Vieques resister, PFC David Rivera
Now that PFC Rivera has surrendered to Marine Corps authorities at Quantico MCB it is very important that the command receive inquiries regarding their treatment of Rivera.
He is currently confined to the Casual Platoon which is administered by the Military Police unit at Quantico. He is sent out on work details each day and is not allowed leave from the base. We were told by an officer at the unit that is normally takes a minimum of eight weeks to administratively discharge returning AWOLSa pace which seems designed, in part, to deter GIs from leaving in the first place. If we can build enough support and pressure, it is entirely possible that the Marines would push David out in a matter of days.
If you can, please call and write LT GENERAL Bruce Knutson, base commander, at (703) 784-5900/5901 (his direct line) Quantico MCB, Quantico,VA 22143 It would also be helpful to call and write to COLONEL Applegate, MP Commander, (703) 784-2481/2482 His address, Military Police, Bldg 2043, Quantico MCB, Quantico, VA 22143. If possible, use a letterhead of organization, church, labor union, etc. when you express your concerns.
When you call or write, make the following points (in your own words):
- PFC Rivera is part of our anti-Vieques movement, having appeared at the recent Washington rally and we are concerned that he might become the target of unlawful harassment.
- No valid purpose is served by continuing to confine Rivera at Quantico. His mind is made up and he will not serve further in the Marine Corp. Tax dollars and Marine resources should be conserved by administratively processing his discharge as rapidly as possible.
Grand March for Vieques
OCTOBER 01, 18:33 EDT
Navy Detains Protesters on Vieques
By LILLIAM IRIZARRY
Associated Press Writer
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) EThe U.S. Navy detained 65 protesters Sunday near a former weapons depot on the Puerto Rican island of Vieques, part of a day of antimilitary demonstrations.
The protesters entered the base by crawling under a fence before dawn, Navy spokesman Lt. Jeff Gordon said. They would likely face trespassing charges, he said.
Later in the day, thousands of Puerto Ricans marched to demand the military abandon the Vieques training ground it has used since the 1940s.
"What's that sound I hear? It's the people on the warpath!" they chanted, waving Vieques' blue-and-white flag. [this was not a common chant whatsoever... the most common one was "Vieques Yes, Navy No" or "Navy Out"]
Authorities have arrested more than 600 protesters since May. More than 400 await trial on trespassing charges.
The Navy controls about two-thirds of the 20-mile by four-mile island. Opposition to the military's presence on Vieques flared in April 1999, when a U.S. Marine Corps F-18 jet dropped two 500-pound bombs off target, killing a civilian guard on the range.
Protesters occupied the bombing range to thwart further exercises until U.S. marshals forcibly removed them on May 4.
Navy opponents say the military exercises have damaged the environment, stunted the island's economy and endangered residents. The Navy says their claims are exaggerated and argues that the training is necessary to national defense.
President Clinton promised the Navy would abandon the western weapons depot and leave Vieques completely if the island's 9,400 residents vote in a referendum to expel it. That vote is expected before mid-2002.
Japan Peace Conference 2000
October 2,2000
Information on Japan Peace Conference 2000 /30 Nov. - 3 Dec/
Request for your suggestions and recommendations
Dear friends,
Please accept our solidarity greetings from Okinawa and Japan.
We are sending this letter to the signatories and supporters to the appeal on the U.S. bases in Okinawa issued on the occasion of G8 Okinawa Summit Meeting, July, 2000, as we would like to continue and develop this international contacts for the global solidarity against U.S. military bases.
We would like to inform you that Japan Peace Conference 2000 is going to be held from November 30 to December 3, 2000 in Naha City, Okinawa. This will be a national gathering of the peace activists all over Japan initiated by our Peace Committee, and jointly organized by over 70 organizations including national federation of trade unions, local peace groups, youth and students, and women's organizations. Around 2,500 participants are expected to take part in.
The Conference will discuss broad issues of peace; military alliances and bases, disarmament, democracy, including a burning problem of a new U.S. Marine bases planned to be built in Okinawa. It will also discuss our strategy towards a peaceful 21st century under a new situation; peaceful trends as is seen in ASEAN countries and in the recent Summit Talks of North-South Korea is growing, and contrary Japanese government is still taking a agressive poplicy in Asian deplomacy under new guideline of "defense cooperation" with the United States.
In the framework of the Conference, 2-days International Symposium will be held with an aim of exchanging experiences and information on campaigns against damages and crimes of U.S. military bases and of studying the possibility of international cooperation and networking among them /see Annex/. It will be presented by the following panelists:
- Joseph Gerson (American Friends Service Committee)
- Luisa Morgantini (Italy, Member of European Parliament)
- Lim Sam-Jin (Republic of Korea, Green Korea United)
- Ismael Guadaloupe (Comit; Pro Rescate y Desarrollo Vieques)
- Japanese representatives (Japan Peace Committee & Okinawa)
As we want to make an outcome of this symposium really fruitful and global one, we would like to request you to send us your suggestions and recommendations on this project, as well as any other messages and comments. We are going to send you a report of this symposium to be published in English and a list of suggestions.
It would be very kind of you to send us your message before November 15, as we shall translate them into Japanese. We are looking forward to your kind reply.
Yours sincerely,
Hiroshi Suda
Secretary General
Japan Peace Committee
On behalf of the Organizing Committee of the 2000 Japan Peace Conference