As news about the conflict over U.S. Navy training in Vieques appeared in
the front page of newspapers around the world, now more than ever,
Puerto Rico's political status remains a subject of controversial debate.
The Puerto Rico Commonwealth's efforts to put an end to U.S. Navy military
exercises in Vieques have sparked heated debates about the future nature
of United States-Puerto Rico relations. To address these issues, the
John F. Kennedy School of Government has organized a panel discussion on
Wednesday, May 9. The discussion, sponsored by the Institute of Politics
of Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government; the Harvard
Journal of Hispanic Policy; and Harvard Students for Peace in Vieques,
Now!, begins at 6:00pm at the ARCO Forum of Public Affairs, at
Harvard University.
The three panelists who will debate the issue of Puerto Rico's
political status and the conflict in Vieques are: Puerto Rico Senator
Roberto Pratts, of the pro-commonwealth Popular Democratic Party (PPD);
Senator Myriam Ramirez de Ferrer, senate minority leader for the
pro-statehood New Progressive Party (PNP); and Manuel Rodriguez-Orellana,
former senator, of the pro-independence Puerto Rican Independence Party
(PIP). Former Governor of Puerto Rico, Pedro Rossello (1993-2001), will be
attending the Forum as an observer.
A question and answer session will be held following the debate between
the tree panelists who will represent the three political parties in
Puerto Rico.
This year the prestigious ARCO Forum has been host to eleven heads of
state or former heads of state, including F.W. De Klerk of South Africa;
Fidel Ramos of the Philippines; Leonel Fernandez of the Dominican
Republic; and President Kagame of Rwanda.
For more information contact:
Mr. Hans Perl-Matanzo at 617-493-5918 / matanzo@fas.harvad.edu
Mr. Hector Bladwell 617-493-6467 / bladweh@ksg.harvard.edu
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
