Island governor: 'We have achieved our dream'

VIEQUES, Puerto Rico (AP) --Sending fireworks shooting into the sky, islanders
celebrated the U.S. Navy's withdrawal from Vieques and the success of a protest
movement that helped force an end to nearly 60 years of bombing exercises on the
Caribbean island.

Hundreds of activists jailed for trespassing to thwart the bombing prepared for
their next battle -- reclaiming lands transferred Wednesday to the Department
of Interior, which will help transform the range into a wildlife refuge. The Navy
handed over 15,000 acres of land on eastern Vieques with no fanfare, just a
written statement.

"We are here today to mark the beginning of a new era in peace and prosperity
for Vieques," Gov. Sila Calderon said Wednesday to thunderous applause. "It
is a moment of great joy, for we have achieved our dream."

She announced she will ask Congress to put Vieques on the National Priority
List for a cleanup of the bombing range.

To show their continuing defiance to U.S. government control, dozens of
protesters entered the seaside range in boats Wednesday evening, saying they
want to "send a message ... that these lands belong to the people of Vieques."

They ignored warnings that the range is dangerous with unexploded munitions.
People are "playing Russian roulette," warned Oscar Diaz-Marrero, a biologist
in charge of the wildlife refuge.

Outside the gates of Camp Garcia, protesters yelled a familiar refrain: "Out with
the Navy! Peace for Vieques."

Bombing went on for decades

Pulling large wirecutters out of their knapsacks, activists rushed to help federal
workers dismantle a chain-link fence at the edge of the Navy's Camp Garcia.

President Bush announced in 2001 that the Navy would stop using the island
this year.

The eastern third will be administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
forming the largest federal wildlife refuge in Puerto Rico, along with 3,100 acres
from a munitions warehouse on Vieques' western end.

In the 1940s, the United States bought up 25,000 acres -- about two-thirds of
Vieques -- to make way for a bombing range, forcing out families and farmers
with scant compensation. Military exercises began in 1947.

Some now want that land turned over to Puerto Rican authorities. They say
islanders should be allowed to open inns and environmentally friendly lodges
there to boost tourism and help unemployment that runs at about 12 percent.

Simmering local resentment to the Navy exercises exploded in anger and
protests when two 500-pound bombs were dropped off target on the range
and killed civilian guard David Sanes in 1999.

Protesters occupied range

Protesters stormed the range and occupied it for a year before federal marshals
forcibly removed them. The exercises resumed, restricted to dummy bombs,
but protesters continued to invade.

The cause drew celebrities including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., New York civil
rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton, U.S. Congressman Luis Gutierrez of Chicago
and actor Edward James Olmos. All were jailed for trespassing on federal land,
along with more 1,000 local protesters.

Sharpton, a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, arrived in
Puerto Rico Wednesday to join the festivities and said he felt vindicated after
spending 90 days in prison in 2001.

Bush "did a good thing by finally listening to the people," said Sharpton.

Protesters say the bombing has fouled the environment, stunted an economy
limited to fishing and tourism and damaged the health of the 9,300 islanders.

The Navy denies its practices have been harmful.

Copyright 2003 The Associated Press.