The four Members of Congress of Puerto Rican descent signed a letter yesterday afternoon to President Bush requesting that he officially establish a timetable and outline steps for the full withdrawal of the U.S. military from Vieques. The text of the letter follows:

Dear Mr. President:
We recognize and appreciate your continued commitment to the complete termination of the United States Navy bombing exercises and other forms of training on the Puerto Rican Island of Vieques, on or before may 1, 2003.  Puerto Ricans and Hispanics throughout the United States will never forget your leadership on this sensitive issue.
We have recently learned of new data made public by Puerto Rico’s Secretary of Health indicating an increase of cancer cases among the Vieques population. According to the figures of the Central Cancer Registry of Puerto Rico, there is a rising tendency of cancer cases in Vieques, as compared to the rest of Puerto Rico.

This new health data has once again elevated the Vieques situation to the forefront of the Puerto Rican conscience. We trust your word, Mr. President, and the people of Puerto Rico recognize your leadership on this important issue. However, we agree with Governor Sila M. Calderón, as she expressed to you in her September 17, 2002 letter, that it would be extremely beneficial for all concerned if your Administration were to issue an official expression as to a timetable and outline decisive steps that would be undertaken by the U.S. Navy to finally end all training and military activities in Vieques, on or before May 1, 2003.
We welcome the opportunity to meet with you on this important issue.

Sincerely,
Aníbal Acevedo Vilá, Luis Gutierrez, José Serrano, Nydia Velázquez