USA: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DEBATE PUERTO RICAN STATEHOOD

Описание: (4 Mar 1998) English/Nat

The U-S House of Representatives is considering putting Puerto Rico on a 10-year path to statehood.

But the move could be scuttled by the contentious issue of establishing English as the only national language there.

Puerto Rican opponents of statehood said the issue was decided years ago, and there is no need for another vote by the island inhabitants.

Puerto Rico is currently a Commonwealth of the United States, and its inhabitants are American citizens, although they can't vote in presidential elections.

The proposed bill calls for a final plebiscite to let the island's voters decide their future.

They have three options.

They will be able to choose between Commonwealth, statehood or independence.

Carlos Romero-Barcelo from Puerto Rico is in favour of the bill.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"The fundamental choice before this house today is this. Do
we cherish the principles of our democracy enough to put an end to one hundred years of colonialism and extend the right of full self determination to the U-S citizens of Puerto Rico?"
SUPER CAPTION: Carlos Romero-Barcelo - Democrat, Puerto Rico

If Puerto Rico becomes the 51st State, U-S federal spending will increase by an estimated four (b) billion dollars a year.

The island would get six seats in the House of Representatives and two in the Senate, instead of one non-voting delegate for Congress.

Representative Gerald Solomon said English would become the common language if Puerto Ricans choose statehood.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I will be offering an amendment that will begin to emphasise that based on this premise for the past two centuries we have forged the nation out of our different peoples by emphasising our common beliefs, our common ideals and, perhaps most importantly ladies and gentlemen, our common language."
SUPER CAPTION: Gerald Solomon, Rules Committee Chairman

Whatever Puerto Ricans decide, Congress will have to approve any changes.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"So I would say that the bill is designed to eventually get a decision by the Puerto Rican people for statehood, and because of that I say that enactment of the bill would inevitably put us down the path to admitting Puerto Rico as the 51st state, and that is a serious decision. This is a major decision. Adding a star to the United States flag is a major decision for Americans to make."
SUPER CAPTION: Roger Wicker, Republican, Mississippi

Representative Nydia Velasquez claimed the bill was biased in favour of statehood.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I think that we can all agree that the people of Puerto Rico must be given the right to self determination. Unfortunately H-R 856 does not accomplish this. This bill is a product of a flawed legislative process that was designed to produce a very specific result. It was written without consulting all the parties that have a very real interest in its outcome. Proponents of H-R 856 will try to say that this is a bill about self determination. They are misleading you. Instead H-R 856 is a one-sided bill that is biased in favour of Puerto Rican statehood."
SUPER CAPTION: Nydia Velasquez, Democrat, New York

But Puerto Rico has been a U-S territory for one hundred years, and any change in status could take several years to pass through Congress.

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