wfn.org | ABCUSA: VIEQUES ADDRESSED

[RICH.SCHRAMM@ecunet.org]

AMERICAN BAPTIST NEWS SERVICE 
Office of Communication  
American Baptist Churches USA 
P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851 
Phone: (610)768-2077 / Fax: (610)768-2320 
Web: www.abc-usa.org
Richard W. Schramm, Director 
 E-mail: richard.schramm@abc-usa.org

MINISTERS COUNCIL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 
ADOPTS RESOLUTION
CALLING FOR REMOVAL OF U.S. MILITARY 
PRESENCE IN VIEQUES 
 Meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico, members of the 
Executive Committee representing the Ministers Council of 
American Baptist Churches USA voted unanimously on Jan. 
27 to adopt a resolution against continued U.S. military 
presence on the island of Vieques.
 According to the Rev. Kate Harvey, executive 
director of the Ministers Council, the Executive Committee 
had learned of the 60-year occupation of Vieques by the 
U.S. Navy from an article in an issue of Home Mission 
Today, published by The American Baptist Home Mission 
Societies/National Ministries.  The article (Spring, 2000) 
detailed the consequences of the Navy's presence as well 
as the involvement of Puerto Rico Baptist churches in 
protesting the resumption of military exercises on the 
island.  Two members of the Ministers Council Executive 
Committee also visited Vieques.
 During its winter meeting Jan. 25-29 the entire 
Executive Committee met with San Juan pastors for a 
forum for justice on Vieques led by Dr. Luis Rivera Pagan 
of the University of Puerto Rico. The meeting was hosted 
by the Baptist Churches of Puerto Rico. "The issue of 
obedience to the Gospel of Jesus Christ has united all the 
churches of Puerto Rico as never before in history," 
reported Harvey.
 The statement begins with that commitment: "In 
obedience to the Gospel, and in response to the 
continuing struggle for social and economic justice by the 
residents of Puerto Rico (especially the island of Vieques), 
the ABC Ministers Council Executive Committee urges all 
American Baptists to pray for peace and justice and to 
contact President Bush and their Congress persons in 
support of the removal of the U.S. Naval presence from 
the island of Vieques.  Due to environmental damage, 
including contaminated water supplies, the destruction of 
fishing grounds, coral reefs and mangrove trees, and an 
abnormally high incidence of cancer, we will continue in 
solidarity with these protests until there is a complete 
decontamination of the island by the U.S. Navy."
 In December 1990 the American Baptist General 
Board adopted a Resolution on Self-Determination for 
Puerto Rico.   Suggested actions related to Vieques are 
included in a Faith In Action Alert prepared by National 
Ministries staff in the American Baptist Office of 
Governmental Relations.  To obtain a copy of "Vieques: 
Seeking Peace and Justice" or for more information about 
Vieques call 1-800-ABC-3USA/x2451 or visit National 
Ministries Web site at 
www.nationalministries.org/mission/home_news.cfm/.
 
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