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Pesquera Returns As NPP President

Compensation For Relatives Of Attack Victims

Tourism Co. Announces New Campaign

Navy Resumes Exercises

Green: Committed To Economic Development

First Puerto Rican Reservists Activated

Calderon Now Defends Referendum


Pesquera Officially Returns As NPP President

By Proviana Colon Diaz

September 25, 2001
Copyright © 2001 PuertoRicoWOW News Service. All rights reserved.

Carlos Pesquera, gubernatorial candidate for the 2000 elections, officially took over again the presidency of the New Progressive Party (NPP) Tuesday afternoon after no one decided to run for the post.

Also certified as the party's first vice president was San Juan Mayor Jorge Santini.

Pesquera comes to power seven months after he quit the post and left the task of rebuilding the party to former legislator Leo Diaz.

"The new president is the person we have to help and follow so that this party is able to achieve triumph in 2004 and statehood," Diaz said.

Also present Tuesday were NPP vice president candidates Miriam Ramirez de Ferrer and Lucy Arce.


Compensation Available For Relatives Of Attack Victims

By Proviana Colon Diaz

September 25, 2001
Copyright © 2001 PuertoRicoWOW News Service. All rights reserved.

The Justice Department announced in a prepared statement Tuesday that the immediate family members of Puerto Ricans who were victims in the terrorist attacks perpetrated in New York and in Washington D.C. may apply for compensation.

The compensation funds will cover up to $30,000 for medical expenses and counseling, up to $500 for the loss of personal possessions, and up to $100 for monetary loss.

Those who are interested may visit the website www.cvb.state.ny.us.

They can also call toll free at 1-800-247-8035 or 1-518-457-9077 to speak with Maureen Denegar, who is in charge of the application process. Her e-mail address is denegar@nysnet.net.


Tourism Co. Announces New Campaign After Terrorist Attacks

September 25, 2001
Copyright © 2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved.

SAN JUAN (AP) - With the slogan "Puerto Rico with arms wide open," the Tourism Co. will launch Wednesday an advertising campaign in several markets to lessen the adverse effects that the terrorist attacks against the United States have had on the local tourism industry.

"Our intention is to dive into the mentality of North American travelers to let them know that we are with them, that we are not a market that is introducing itself now to take advantage of their disgrace," Tourism Co. Executive Director Milton Segarra said Tuesday.

The $1.6 million campaign will be launched in newspapers, radio, and television stations of the primary and secondary markets in the United States that include New York, Newark, Miami, and Atlanta, Segarra said.


Navy Resumes Training Exercises On Vieques

September 24, 2001
Copyright © 2001 EFE News Services (U.S.) Inc. All rights reserved.
Source: World Reporter (TM)

San Juan - The U.S. Navy resumed training exercises Monday on the Puerto Rican island of Vieques , with the destroyer USS The Sullivans firing dummy shells.

The exercises began at 8:35 a.m. and could continue until 11:00 p.m., according to Navy spokesman Sixto Escobar.

Meanwhile, the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy arrived in the area, according to Escobar, who did not say when air strikes would begin.

The exercises, called Composite Training Unit Exercises (COMPTUEX), will include sea-to-land and air-to-land attacks, but will not involve amphibious landings.

The carrier battle group will participate in the U.S. military response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the U.S. press reported.

About 12,000 sailors were participating in the exercises, which could last up to 23 days.


Green: Committed With Vieques Economic Development

September 24, 2001
Copyright © 2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved.

SAN JUAN (AP) - U. S. Navy Rear Admiral Kevin Green expressed his commitment to help improve the quality of life in Vieques and to boost its economic development, in spite of the obstacles he will face along the way.

Green complained that "in spite of our best intentions of helping the Vieques people, we always face opposition" and mentioned specifically the rejection of the efforts of providing health services on the community treatment center.

Green said the Navy can make it easier for the Viequenses to make decisions on their future, and "we are committed and willing to help the best way we can to promote a better future for the people of Vieques and its economic development".


First 190 U.S. Army Reservists From Puerto Rico Activated

September 23, 2001
Copyright © 2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved.
 

SAN JUAN (AP) - The U.S. Army has activated the first 190 reserve solders from Puerto Rico since the recent terrorist attacks on the United States, an official said Sunday.

"This is the first reserve unit from Puerto Rico that they've called and as of now, we don't know when they're going to leave nor where they'll go," said Maj. Alicia Rivera, the spokeswoman for 65th Command of the Army Reserve, a regional support command for the U.S. territory's Fort Buchanan.

The activated reserve troops make up Company 311, which specializes in processing the remains of victims and their belongings. Of the 190, 85 are now at the Pentagon, where they are helping at the site of the Sept. 11 plane crash, Rivera said.


Calderon Administration Now Defends Vieques Federal Referendum

September 22, 2001
Copyright © 2001 The Star-Ledger Newark, NJ. All rights reserved.

Puerto Rico 's government said yesterday it will back the use of a referendum to determine whether the U.S. Navy should abandon its training ground on Vieques Island, despite its earlier skepticism over the vote.

Gov. Sila Calderon had opposed the Nov. 6 referendum because it does not offer the option of "immediate withdrawal" by the Navy.

But in a change of position, a government lawyer said yesterday he would seek dismissal of a lawsuit brought by some Vieques residents who want the "immediate withdrawal" option included on the ballot.

State Attorney Carlos Del Valle Cruz said the vote should be held in the form originally planned because it was approved by the U.S. Congress and carries the force of law.

"We are defending the right of the people of Vieques to make the final decision," he said.

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