New York -- Methodist Bishop Juan Vera has joined the governor of Puerto Rico and other religious and political leaders in rejecting a new Pentagon proposal to settle the dispute about the Puerto Rican island of Vieques.

Calling it "totally unacceptable," Vera said last week the latest offer further demonstrated the need for continuing protests against the U.S. military, which controls some two-thirds of Vieques and has used it for bombing practice for nearly 60 years.

"This demonstrates that the people of Vieques have been right all along in lifting their voice in protest, because time after time the actions of the U.S. Navy have been unacceptable," said Vera, as quoted by El Nuevo Dia.

Vera was reacting to a Pentagon proposal in which the Department of Defense offered to give up some of the land it owns if it could continue the military exercises with dummy bombs, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

Under the proposal, Vieques' 9,400 residents would, in turn, vote in a referendum asking if the military could resume practice with live explosions. If approved, the Pentagon would seek U.S. congressional approval for $40 million in economic assistance to Vieques, the AP reported. If the proposal were turned down, the US military would be obligated to leave the island by the year 2005.

Gov. Pedro Rossello turned down the offer, and Vera voiced his support for that position, as well as for continued protests which have been endorsed by the Methodist Church of Puerto Rico and have garnered wide ecumenical support.

"It is necessary for (the U.S.) to add an item to the proposal that would say, 'None of the above," Vera said. "I am sure that will be the answer of the people of Vieques. That is the answer of the Methodist Church."

Vera said the current civil disobedience campaign would continue because, he said, when "laws are unjust" or "go against the Law of God," people of faith have no other option but to engage in civil disobedience, El Nuevo Dia reported.

Vera made his statement as GBGM directors Susan Smalley of Alaska and Sandy Wilder of Texas completed a four-day visit (Jan. 21-24) to Vieques, representing GBGM and the United Methodist Church.

Ten encampments have been established on the island -- one at the front gate of the military base there and the other nine on the eastern tip of the island, at the site of the firing range. One of those camp sites is an "ecumenical" encampment, providing a pastoral presence and staffed by denominational and church representatives.

Different churches take turns at that encampment, and the Methodist Church of Puerto Rico has asked that a representative of the UMC be present during the Methodists' turn at the camp.

More than 100 United Methodist women plan to join the protests on the island on Feb. 12.

Protests against the U.S. military have a long history on the island, but have intensified following an April 1999 incident in which two military bombs killed David Sanes Rodriguez, a civilian security guard.

In an October 1999 resolution, the General Board of Global Ministries called on the United States Navy to immediately end all military activities on Vieques and resolved that GBGM would work "in favor of justice for the people of Vieques" and engage in an advocacy campaign by working directly with the Methodist Church of Puerto Rico.

In addition to calling for an end to U.S. military activities on the island, GBGM has called for the decontamination of land and surrounding areas in Vieques, as well as the return of all land expropriated by the U.S. government on the island.

January 25, 2000