March 10, 2000

• Dr Wilfredo Estrada
• Puerto Rico Biblical Society
• Post Office Box 2548
• Bayamon, Puerto Rico 00960-2548

Dear Dr Estrada,

Thank you for your letter about the directives that I issued regarding the Navy's facilities in Vieques. I am pleased that you appreciate our success in meeting some of the concerns of the residents of Vieques. In response to your request for a discussion of your remaining concerns, I have asked Jeffrey Farrow, Co-Chair of my Intergaency Group on Puerto Rico, to travel to San Juan and join your meeting with governor Rossello.

I want to address the suggestion that citizens of Vieques have a constitutional right to consultation before the Navy undertakes the training that I have authorized. Under the Constitution, the Government of the United States has exclusive authority concerning national military matters in the islands. Because Puerto Ricans do not have voting representation in the government, I have requested that the government of Puerto Rico hold a referendum for the residents of Vieques to decide whether Navy training will occur there beyond the time frame set out in my directives. As Commander-in-Chief, I must ensure that Navy personnel have the training they need for their readiness and safety as well as the safety of innocent non-combatants. Training with non-explosives for no more than 90 days a year through May 1, 2003, in Vieques is what we need to meet our training needs.

I have taken your concerns and those of our fellow citizens in the Commonwealth very seriously, and I have met those health, economic and environmentalconcerns to the fullest extent that I can. I hope that we can now work on implementing the measures I have directed so that these issues are addressed as soon as possible.

Again, thank you for your letter.

Sincerely,

(Signed) Bill Clinton