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Show OSTALGiqpOIXEGTIBEES PUERTO RICO continued The desire to remain American stems, of course, from the fact that the U.S. is an economic system for Puerto Rico, fragile though this system is. Through a variety of programs, the U.S. provides about $7 billion annually to Puerto Rico: Tax exemptions brought mainland industries to the island under Operation Bootstrap. launched in 1948, and there is free access to the U.S. market and exemption from federal taxation. Governor Romero-Barcelwho has won two elections on the statehood platform, is convinced that statehood is the citizenonly way to end second-clas- s ship. He believes Puerto Ricans should be free to vote in U.S. Presidential elections (today they can vote only in Presidential primaries) and have a voting representation in Congress (now they g have an elected but delegate in the House of Representatives). Puerto Ricans should pay federal taxes over a transition period, he says. The existing commonwealth system. Romero-Barcel- o says, keeps Puerto Rico subject to the whim of Congress. Last autumn, for example, Puerto Rico almost lost its industrial tax exemption through a "sleeper" amendment to a Congressional bill, which was later modified by a House-Senat- e committee. The Puerto Rican question comes up every year at the United Nations General Assembly, and although the U.S. has been able to defeat moves for a debate over U.S. "colonialism" on the island, the international aspects of the situation remain uncomfortable for Washington. In Romero-Barcel6- 's view. Puerto Rico could petition Congress in 1986 for statehood if his New Progressive Party wins the 1984 elections; but it might take Congress until 1990 to decide on it. Statehood would require a massive redesigning of the Puerto Rican economy, and many states may oppose enlarging the House by seven or eight seats ( Puerto Rico would have the 25th largest delegation) and the Senate by two seats. If Hemandez-Cold- n and his Populares Party win in 1984, any action for statehood would be delayed for at least another four years. Hemandez-Colowho sees statehood as a potential economic catastrophe, says the U.S. and Puerto Rico should concentrate on giving the island more decision-makin- g power. "Due to U.S. authority over many areas." he said, "Puerto Rican solutions cannot be implemented without U.S. cooperation. The U.S. should adopt a policy that doesn't promote dependency but allows Puerto Ricans to help themselves. Today's Puerto Rico floats in a netherworld. uncertain of its future and its identity. The debate has had a paralyzing effect on government (Romero-Barcel- o controls the executive branch while the d, non-votin- 20-ye- n, PARADE MAGAZINE JULY 24, 193 PAGE 15 Populares hold the two legislative houses, each side checkmating the other). We have witnessed the end of political consensus. wrote Arturo Morales Carrion, a leading Puerto Rican historian. He told me that while Puerto Rico remains in limbo, there is danger of "increased tensions, a social disorganization. and a disintegration in the pattern of relations with the United States." Such an occurrence would amount to a blemish on the honor of the U.S.. which 85 years ago accepted moral and political responsibility for the fate of Puerto Rico. In addition, security interests would suffer: The Roosevelt Roads naval-ai- r station is the principal U.S. strategic facility in the Caribbean, conand protecting trolling vital against Soviet penetration in wartime. Responsibility for arresting the Puerto Rican crisis lies squarely with the President and Congress, inasmuch as the island lacks political and economic resources to provide its own solutions. Interviews with Puerto Rican leaders on all sides have led to these suggestions as to what Washington could do: 1 . Face the fundamental political issue. Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter and Reagan successively proclaimed their support for statehood but never followed up on it. One solution would be for Congress to pass legislation offering Puerto Rico detailed alternatives for an improved commonwealth, statehood or independence and to let Puerto Ricans choose in a plebiscite the one they like best. This would force Puerto Rico to concentrate on its current political crisis. Otherwise, years could elapse before the island comes up with a plebiscite petitioning for the status it desires. 2 . Redefine the economic relationship . Pending a political solution. Washington could produce a development plan for Puerto Rico that would terminate chronic unemployment and stimulate growth. Many Puerto Rican economists believe that part of the annual $7 billion given the island in assistance grants could be used for development projects in cooperation with Puerto Rican authorities. Puerto Rico already buys S6 billion worth of goods annually from the U.S. , and a more prosperous island would be a richer market. With sugar no longer a source of wealth, concentration should be on rice, coffee and light industry. 3. Pay attention to Puerto Rico. The above proposals make sense only if Washington starts paying attention to the island and does its homework. As former ambassador Stephansky commented . "A unique commonwealth relationship that required a steady and sensitive cultivation to assure its continuing growth has been permitted to deteriorate to the level of near chaos." Unless Washington awakens to the urgency of the Puerto Rican problem, the U.S. may face a Caribbean drama it 19 does not need. ttiGlmWSALnBQ&DESlGtiS sea-lan- When It Rains, & It Pours the famous Morton Salt Girl on genuine Ceramic Sl Trivets 3 Collectors! Nostalgia Lovers! Home Decorators! Heres the adorable Morton Salt Girl, just as she has appeared on Morton Salt Boxes from 1914 through 1968. 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