Desarrollo
COOPERATIVA HOMBRE DE PUERTO FERRO: BIEKE
Apartado 1424 Vieques, Puerto Rico 007675
787 741-0716 787 375-0525
26 de noviembre de 2007
C o m u n i c a d o d e P r e n s a
Se crea primera cooperativa cultural educativa en Vieques
Vieques- En Vieques se creó este mes la primera cooperativa cultural educativa que lleva por nombre Cooperativa Hombre de Puerto Ferro - Bieké (CHPF-B), en referencia al yacimiento arqueológico de osamentas milenarias, uno de los más importantes del Caribe. El 10 de noviembre se celebró la Asamblea Constituyente; el 15 se reunió la nueva Junta Directiva oficialmente establecida; y el grupo pauta reuniones con varias agencias del gobierno a principios de 2008 para darle seguimiento al desarrollo de este projecto innovador viequense.
Entre los objetivos de la nueva Cooperativa están el rescatar del olvido el yacimiento de tipo arcaico, que se remonta a más de cu atr o mil años y desarrollar un proyecto turístico-cultural por manos viequenses.
La CHPF-B, es una iniciativa del proyecto Incubadora de Empresas Cooperativas de Vieques de la Liga de Cooperativas de Puerto Rico, con la colaboración del Comité Pro Rescate y Desarrollo de Vieques, la Cooperativa de Ahorro y Crédito de los Empleados de la Autoridad de Energía Eléctrica (COOPAEE), que está financiando los fondos del estudio de viabilidad; y con la ayuda de la Administración de Fomento Cooperativo, que facilita el proceso de certificación.
El sitio arqueológico de Puerto Ferro, fue descubierto a principios del 1990, y excavado por los arqueólogos Luis Chanlatte e Ivonne Narganes, del Centro de Investigaciones Arqueológicas de la Universidad de Puerto Rico
El modelo económico cooperativista, se afianza en Vieques, como alternativa para una economía por y para el pueblo. Por tal razón, el proyecto Incubadora de la Liga Cooperativa, ha promovido en año y medio la creación de la Cooperativa Cine Te atr o Vieques, la Cooperativa Tierra Mía/Agricultura Hidropónica, y la Cooperativa Hombre de Puerto Ferro: Bieké. Cine Teatro Vieques ha ofrecido en este mes una serie de películas mexicanas y cubanas gratis para el puebo viequense. Esta semana, lechuga fresca marca, Tierra Mía, se ofrece en los supermercados y colmados de la Isla Nena.
Para más información sobre los proyectos cooperativistas en Vieques, favor llamar al 787 206-0602.
12 de noviembre de 2007
Contacto: Nilda Medina
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26 November, 2007
First cultural-educational tourism cooperative formed in Vieques
The first cultural-educational cooperative, called Hombre de Puerto Ferro - Bieke (Puerto Ferro Man PFM ) was created on Vieques, related to an archaeological site where 4000 year skeletal remains - among the most important in the Caribbean - were found in 1991. On November 10th a Consitituting Assembly was held; on the 15th, the new board of directors was officially establsihed; and the group plans a series of meetings with government agencies at the beginning of 2008 to carry on discussions about the development of this innovate Vieques project.
Among the coop's objectives is raising consciousness about the 4 thousand year old archaic indigenous site, and the creation of a cultural tourism project in Viequense hands.
The first cultural-educational cooperative, called Hombre de Puerto Ferro - Bieke (Puerto Ferro Man PFM ) was created on Vieques, related to an archaeological site where 4000 year skeletal remains - among the most important in the Caribbean - were found in 1991. On November 10th a Consitituting Assembly was held; on the 15th, the new board of directors was officially establsihed; and the group plans a series of meetings with government agencies at the beginning of 2008 to carry on discussions about the development of this innovate Vieques project.
Among the coop's objectives is raising consciousness about the 4 thousand year old archaic indigenous site, and the creation of a cultural tourism project in Viequense hands.
The PFM Coop is an initiative of the Incubator for Cooperative Businesses on Vieques, of the Puerto Rico Cooperative League, in collaboration with the Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques, the Electrical Energy Authority Workers'Coop (that financed the feasibility study), and the PR Admininstration of Cooperative Development that facilitates the groups certification.
The Cooperative economic model is taking hold in Vieques as an alternative for an economic based in the community. The Cooperative League's Incubator Project has promoted, during a year and a half of constatn efforts, the creation of the Vieques Film and Theatre Coop, the Tierra Mía Hydroponic Agro Coop, and the Puerto Ferro Man Coop.
During the past month the Vieques Film/Theatre Coop has offered a series of Cuban and Mexican movies. Also this month, fresh lettuce, Tierra Mía brand, appeared in Vieques supermarkets and neighborhood stores.
For more information about Vieques cooperative projects, contact, Nilda Medina at 787 206-0602
12 nov. 07
COMITE PRO RESCATE Y DESARROLLO DE VIEQUES
Apartado 1424 Vieques, Puerto Rico 00765
787 741-0716 787 375-0525
bieke@prorescatevieques.org www.prorescatevieques.org
26 de noviembre de 2007
INFORME ESPECIAL DESDE EL CAMPAMENTO JUSTICIA Y PAZ DE VIEQUES
Algunos apuntes para los turistas que vienen a Vieques:
Abajo incluimos un artículo sobre Vieques en en NY Times. Entre los muchos artículos "turísticos", este por lo menos menciona los daños causados por la Marina de Guerra de E.U, y las consecuencias de décadas de bombardeo y otras prácticas militares. ("The Navy left behind toxic asbestos, lead, mercury, nitrates and depleted uranium — not to mention toxic feelings among some locals..")
El CPRDV no se opone al turismo ni a los artículos sobre el tema. De hecho, reconocemos el turismo como un elemento crucial para el futuro desarrollo socio-económico de la isla. Lo que nos parece intolerable es que la mayor parte de los articulos apoyan, principalmente, hoteles y otros negocios turísiticos en manos de extranjeros aquí. Además, muchos de los textos que promueven el turismo en Vieques describen un 'paraiso', una enorme zona 'reservada' y 'protegida' por agencias como el Servicio Federal de Pesca y Vida Silvestre. La realidad es que al igual que bajo el control militar, la mayor parte de los terrenos del SFPVS siguen restringidos debido a los peligros por bombas sin explotar y otros artefactos militares. Otra parte de la realidad histórica de Vieques es que Pesca y Vida Silvestre, igual que la Agencia Federal de Protección Ambiental (EPA), las agencias responsables por la 'conservación' y la 'descontaminación' de Vieques, son cómplices en su destrucción: ni PVS ni la EPA tomó acción alguna durante décadas mientras la Marina de Guerra de EU, manufactureros de armamentos y ejércitos extranjeros invitados por la Marina estadounidense, lanzaron millones de libras de bombas de aviones, barcos, helicópteros, tanques, morteros, bazukas y utilizaron todo tipo de armamento convencional, realizaron maniobras relacionadas con armas químicas y tiraron sobre Vieques armamentos radioactivos (proyectiles de uranio).
Venir a Vieques conlleva una responsabilidad: por lo menos, los visitantes deben conocer algo de la realidad histórica de nuestra isla.
Tampoco queremos crear un ambiente de temor sobre Vieques que pudiera impactar negativamente en el turismo. Queremos que los turistas vengan a Vieques. Queremos que los turistas sepan, también, sobre la destrucción causada por las prácticas de las fuerzas militares y sobre los horrendos efectos que esto ha tenido para el ambiente y en la salud de nuestras familias. Cuando mencionamos los altos niveles de cáncer y otras enfermedades que resultan de los tóxicos militares, no es para asustar a los turistas. Nuestras preocupaciones sobre la salud tienen que ver con una exposición a largo plazo, por parte de nuestra gente, a los metales pesados y otros elementos nocivos relacionados con las prácticas bélicas.
Ningun turista se va a enfermar de la contaminación militar en Vieques durante unas vacacciones de días o semanas.... a menos que esté expuesto al óxido de uranio o que pisa una bomba sin explotar en la zona este, o mientras bucea, etc. Por lo general, los turistas no tienen nada que temer en términos de la salud... con tal que no beban demasiado Medallas o Piña Coladas....
Pero es importantísimo que los turistas que nos visiten tengan la oportunidad de conocer los horrores de medio siglo de presencia y actividad militar en Vieques; la crisis socio-económica que produjo el proceso de las expropiaciones en los años 1940; la violencia que sufrieron nuestras mujeres a manos de militares 'en libertad' durante las guerras de Corea, Vietnam y aún más reciente; la muerte de Mapepe Christian, viequense dueño de una cantina en el Barrio Destino, muerto a patadas por marinos borrachos en 1952 es un hecho que el visitante a Vieques debe conocer para entender un poco más la mentalidad colectiva del pueblo y para ofrecerle la oportunidad de llegar con algo de humildad antes de gozar de las intensas bellezas de nuestras playas.
Además de los artículos glamorosos de las revistas de turismo y los anuncios de los hoteles y las agencias de viajes, Vieques tiene una larga historia de lucha y resistencia que podría añadir un elemento interesante a los preparativos para la visita de este paraíso nuestro.
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Brief notes for tourists coming to Vieques:
Below we include an article about Vieques from the NY Times. Among the many "tourism" articles, this one at least mentions the damages caused by the US Navy and the consequences of decades of bombing and other military practices on our environment. ("...The Navy left behind toxic asbestos, lead, mercury, nitrates and depleted uranium — not to mention toxic feelings among some locals...")
The CRDV is not opposed to tourism nor to articles on the topic. In fact, we recognize tourism as a crucial element in the future social-economic development of the island. What is unacceptable,however, is that the majority of the articles principally support hotels and other tourist businesses in foreign hands here. Also, most of the texts that promote Vieques tourism describe our island as a 'paradise', a great 'reserve' or 'protected zone', under the care of agencies like the Federal Fish and Wildlife Service. Actually, just like under military control, the major part of the lands now in the hans of FWS are restricted due to dangers from unexploded ordnance. And another part of Vieques historic reality is that the FWS and the Federal Environmental Protection Agency, both charged with conserving and decontamination Vieques, were accomplices in its destruction: neither the FWS nor the EPA took any action whatsoever during the decades the US Navy, arms manufactueres and foreign militaries invited by the US Navy, launched millions of pounds of explosives from jets, ships, tanks, helicopters, bazukas, morters and used every type of conventional weapon, practiced for chemical warfare and fired radioactive rounds on Vieques (depletud uranium).
Travelling to Vieques implies something of a responsability: at the least, visitors should know something about these historic realities of our island.
We do not at all wish to create an environment of fear that could have a negative impact on tourism. We want tourists to come to Vieques. We also want tourists to know about the destruction caused by the military practices and the horrid efffects this has had on the environment and the health of our families. When we talk about high levels of cancer and other illnesses related to military toxics, this is not to scare the tourists. Our concerns have to do with long term exposure, over years, by our people, to heavy metals and other dangerous elements left from military practices.
No tourists are gonna get sick from this contamination during a vacation of days or weeks... unless they inahel some uranium oxide or step on an unexploded bomb walking around the east end or while diving, etc. Generally, tourists have nothing to fear in terms of health.. as long as they control intake of Medalla (beer) and Piña Coladas.
But it is very important that tourists who visit us have the opportunity to know the horrors of half century of military presence and activity on Vieques; the socio-economic crisis produced by Navy expropriations in the 1940's; violence against women from sailors on leave during the Korean and Vietnam was, and more recently; the death of Mapepe Christian, Vieques shop owner kicked to death by drunken marines in Destino en 1952, is a historic point visitors to Vieques should know to understand a bit more the collective mentality of our community and to have the opportunity to arrive here with humility before delighting in our beautiful beaches.
In addition to the glamorous articles in tourism magazines and adds from hotels and travel agencies, Vieques has a lon history of struggle and resistence that could add a very interesting element in the preparations for a visit to our 'paradise'.
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By GREG BREINING
Published: November 7, 2007
Correction Appended
Our kayaks were beached above high tide. The sun had set. We looked out over one of the most beautiful shorelines in the Caribbean. I had just fired up a cigar when we spotted it: a boat’s searchlight scanning the shore beyond the next point.
“They’re looking for us,” I thought. “They know we’re here.”
There was only one problem with our little camp on this deserted beach along the Puerto Rican island of Vieques: a billboard with a picture of a bomb and the words, No Trespassing. We imagined that within minutes the spotlight would sweep our beach, and we would be ordered to pack up and paddle on in the dark.
Four of us were camped on Vieques, the former United States Navy bombing range. The Navy packed up in 2003, leaving more than half the island to the Fish and Wildlifee Service as the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge.
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service recently signed a conservation plan to allow more use of the refuge while protecting the island’s wildlife, including sea birds and nesting hawksbill and leatherback turtles. But for the time being, much of the 17,771-acre refuge, the largest in the Caribbean, remained posted, and many of the most beautiful beaches — on an island of beautiful beaches — remained off-limits because contractors continued to search for unexploded warheads.
We were impatient. We wanted a preview, to discover the Vieques so few had seen. So we set out at dawn from a fisherman’s camp on the eastern tip of the main island and paddled to Punta Arenas, on Vieques’s western end.
A few tourists strolled the beach, one of the areas open to visitors. We continued down the shore, to an area that was not the “Waste Explosive Open Burn/Detonation Area.” Not a lot of come hither in the name, but there, on a rocky point called Punta Boca Quebrada, in sight of a pod of Royal terns, with topknots like Groucho Marx, we slipped on flippers and masks. Below, we muscled against currents through canyons and alleyways in some of the most spectacular shoreline coral I have seen. Among the brain, fan, and staghorn shapes were reef fish of all colors and a loafing hawksbill.
Back in the kayaks, we glided over coral reefs and shimmering grass flats. Mesquite-covered hillsides rose toward Monte Pirata, the highest point on Vieques. Dark knuckles of rock separated bright sand beaches, approachable only by boat — all protected now by the wildlife refuge.
In Esperanza, we stopped for beers. The walls of the waterfront bar were painted with a mural of protesters and United States warships. Demonstrations followed the accidental bombing of a Puerto Rican civilian in 1999. Two years later, Viequenses voted that the Navy should pull out, and it did so in 2003.
But even with the Navy gone, as I have learned, there are hard feelings. Some descendants of farmers dispossessed by the Navy during World War II would rather have their inheritance than a refuge. Islanders want greater access to the beaches and backcountry. They want the government to hurry with the cleanup.
We hoped to reach Mosquito Bay. On this moonless night, the water would be awash in bioluminescence. But the sun had set by the time we left Esperanza. As we listened to the waves break against the cliffs in the near darkness, we lost our nerve and ducked into Bahia Media Luna. With campsites run by the Puerto Rican Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, Bahia Media Luna was one of the few places on Vieques where camping was actually permitted.
In a perfect world, we would have broken camp at the crack of dawn. In a perfect world, we would have had enough energy to clear the eastern end of Vieques and its large restricted area before nightfall. In a perfect world, the wind would be calm and one of us would not have tendinitis.
But this is not a perfect world. And it was late afternoon by the time we reached Punta Este, where the prow of Isla Vieques sailed headlong into the trade winds. Waves plowed into the cliffs and rebounded into the oncoming waves, building eight-foot pyramids of water that sloshed harmlessly beneath our boats. Even our novice kayaker with the bum arm smiled as he paddled lopsidedly among the waves.
Exhausted and nearly out of daylight, we voted to go ashore in a perfect cradle of a beach, nestled between two cliffs. There, within sight of the No Trespassing sign, we set camp and cooked dinner, and watched the spotlight swing in our direction.
In a just world, we would have been nabbed and sent packing. But it’s not, and we weren’t. The spotlight ventured into the adjoining bay and never reappeared.
The next morning we discovered what had happened. As we rounded Punta Salinas we found a covey of motor yachts anchored in a bay protected by a shallow reef. We immediately deduced that one of the boats had used its searchlight to find the narrow passage through the coral. Clearly, the yachters already knew about the charms of these isolated beaches. And as we paddled, nudged by following swells, we discovered them too — miles and miles of undeveloped beaches, separated by rocky headlands.
Vieques isn’t pristine. The Navy left behind toxic asbestos, lead, mercury, nitrates and depleted uranium — not to mention toxic feelings among some locals. But the military presence also bequeathed a swatch of wild, undeveloped land without many equals in the Caribbean.
Correction: November 10, 2007
A map with the Outdoors article in sports on Wednesday about kayaking on the Puerto Rican island of Vieques misidentified a site on the north coast that is popular for its views and water activities. It is Mosquito Pier — not Mosquito Bay, which is on the south coast and is famous for its bioluminescence.