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CNN Live At Daybreak

Bush Administration Plans to End Vieques Bombing Exercises in 2003

Aired June 14, 2001 - 07:02   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
COLLEEN MCEDWARDS, CNN ANCHOR: First the decision on the Vieques bombing range: The island off Puerto Rico has been used since 1941 by the Navy to train its troops.

Now, just minutes ago, we heard from CNN's John King on the bombing range decision. John is travelling with the president on his European trip and filed this report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN KING, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: As the president makes stop three on a five-nation European tour, the administration is taking dramatic steps to deal with an issue that has been the frequent source of political controversy back home, dating back into the Clinton administration -- senior Bush administration officials telling CNN the Navy plans to cease bombing exercises at its range on the Puerto Rican island of Vieques effective May 2003.

That's when the current agreement for those exercises with the government of Puerto Rico expires. Sources say the Pentagon will make the formal announcement later today.

Now, this decision follows a meeting at the White House yesterday led by Karl Rove, the president's top political adviser. And sources say many officials at the Pentagon, as well as conservatives in the Congress, are not happy with this decision. There have been frequent protests on the island of 9,100 people, residents complaining that training puts their lives at risk.

Now, while the Pentagon disputes that and says the training is safe, critics now believe the administration is putting outreach to Hispanic voters ahead of what the Navy calls necessary training at its -- quote -- "crown jewel" of Atlantic-based training facilities.

Now, as that decision unfolds back home, controversy for the president here on the road as well: He is in the Swedish city of Goteborg for meetings with European Union leaders. They are angry at the administration for refusing to sign onto the Kyoto treaty on global warming. Mr. Bush says he won't do so. But he will get a round of criticism here today as he meets European allies, this following a skeptical reception in Brussels as well, as the president tried to make progress in selling his controversial plan for missile defense. John King, CNN, in Goteborg, Sweden.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: Mr. Bush's defense plan -- missile defense plan will be discussed on Capitol Hill. The House Armed Services Committee opens a hearing on the plan three hours from now at 10:00 Eastern.

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