Tension rises in Puerto Rico

Us military personnel checking the island

Tension is increasing on the island of Vieques, in Puerto Rico, with reports that US federal authorities are preparing to evict about 70 protesters there.

I'm not going to fight with them, but to get me out of here they're going to have to arrest me

Protester Luisa Guadalupe, 82

The demonstrators have occupied the island to protest against the resumption of US Navy exercises suspended a year ago after stray bombs killed a civilian security guard.

A BBC correspondent says the US authorities have not confirmed that they are planning to remove the protesters.

But the presence of two navy warships, helicopters and FBI agents make it look like that the plans of eviction are going ahead.

The US Navy denies charges that it is destroying the local economy and environment, saying the training ground is essential in preparing its troops for combat.

Agreement

In January, the US Government reached an agreement with Puerto Rico, which enjoys limited autonomy as a United States commonwealth country, to allow military exercises to resume.

Singular status

Puerto Rico a US Commonwealth

Voted three times not to become US state

US citizens, but don't pay federal taxes

Restricted voting powers in House of Representatives

Island's per capital GNP one third of mainland US

According to the agreement, the US Navy would stay in Vieques until at least 2001, when a referendum would be held for the island's 9,400 residents to decide whether the military should leave or not.

The navy owns two-thirds of the 134.7 sq km island, which has been central to its training for more than 50 years.

Force

Puerto Rico Governor, Pedro Rossello - who both supports the removal of the protesters and the eventual closure of the navy base - said local authorities were ready to deal with any unrest.

But he said that force would not be necessary.

"I believe the Puerto Rican people won't participate in illegal acts," he said.

Most protesters are reported to be ready to surrender peacefully.

But some have said they will cut through fences and ride onto the range on horseback to replace any demonstrators who are arrested.

Protestor Luisa Guadalupe, 82, gives a sample of the demonstrators' mood.

"I'm not going to fight with them, but to get me out of here they're going to have to arrest me," she said.