IAN JAMES
Associated Press Writer
VIEQUES, Puerto Rico (AP) -- A U.S. destroyer fired shells at the Vieques bombing range Monday in the first full-scale military exercises since the United States declared war on terrorism. Protesters cut through a Navy fence and threatened anti-war demonstrations.
Most protesters had pledged to stop their civil disobedience campaign of invading Navy lands in favor of peaceful vigils to show solidarity with the Sept. 11 terror attack victims, and to avoid raising tensions as Washington prepares for war.
But some hard-liners cut through about 60 feet of the Navy fence around the training ground, police on Vieques said. Opponents have for years protested the live bombing exercises on their island of 9,100 people.
The Navy said the exercises began Monday morning with non-explosive 5-inch shells. From a hill, reporters heard distant thuds and watched smoke rise from the guns of the USS The Sullivans.
Navy jets were expected to drop inert bombs on the firing range on the island's eastern tip later in the exercises.
In recent years, groups opposed to the training have mobilized protesters to invade Navy lands and be arrested for trespassing. But since the attacks, most have decided to limit their opposition to peaceful anti-war vigils, protest leader Robert Rabin said.
``Any participant in civil disobedience is always in danger,'' Rabin said. But with the Navy on alert, ``there is going to be a marked increase in tension that could result in a more violent response.''
The Navy has used the island to train for every major U.S. conflict over the last six decades.
Opponents say the exercises harm the environment and the health of the island's 9,100 people, accusations the Navy denies. In 1999 a civilian security guard was killed by bombs dropped off target on the firing range.
The aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy and its battle group of cruisers, destroyers, frigates and submarines were already in the area on Sunday, practicing maneuvers far offshore.
``Obviously, everybody's a little more on edge,'' Navy spokeswoman Lt. Cmdr Katherine Goode said.
About 12,000 sailors were participating in the exercises, which could last up to 23 days.
Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory whose residents can move freely to the mainland. However, Puerto Ricans do not have voting rights in U.S. presidential and congressional elections unless they live on the mainland.
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