Lawmaker cautions U.S. about evicting Puerto Rico bombing range protesters

                  Standoff between U.S. Navy and demonstrators who want bombing exercises stopped
 
                  VIEQUES, Puerto Rico (CNN) -- A U.S. congressman warned Wednesday that
                  the Clinton administration will bear the consequences if it disrupts what he
                  termed a peaceful protest against a U.S. military bombing range on the Puerto
                  Rican island of Vieques.

                  Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Illinois, met Wednesday morning with protesters and said
                  they appear to be peaceful. They have said they would not offer resistance if
                  arrested by federal officials.

                  The standoff, however, continued Wednesday between the protesters occupying
                  the bombing range and the U.S. Navy, which wants them out and has deployed two
                  warships offshore.

                  To head off a confrontation on the Puerto Rican island, the Geneva-based World
                  Council of Churches and the Pastors for Peace in Chicago -- which has sent several
                  bishops and ministers to the scene -- are appealing to U.S. President Bill Clinton to
                  reconsider arresting the protesters.

                  The USS Nashville and the USS Bataan, reportedly carrying about 1,000 Marines, are
                  situated off the shore of the tiny tourist destination, home to about 9,300 residents.

                  "The spectacle of police action backed up by the presence of warships, and which is
                  likely to involve the arrests of church leaders, will contribute little to the pursuit of a
                  lasting solution to this problem," the council of churches said in a statement.

                  Roman Catholic Bishop Alvaro Corrada del Rio was expected to travel from the
                  main island Wednesday to meet on Vieques with U.S. Adm. Kevin Green,
                  training ground commander.

                  Occupation began after civilian death

                  About 300 protesters -- including clergy, U.S. lawmakers and Puerto Rican
                  nationalists -- are determined to end the practice bombing on the island and
                  expect a confrontation at any time.

                  Some 50 protesters who are camping inside the bombing range and dozens
                  stationed at the range gates say authorities will have to arrest them to clear the
                  range.

                  Bombing range activities were stopped and protests have been going on since
                  April 1999, when a practice run using live arms resulted in the death of a civilian
                  security guard. A few protesters have threatened to scatter into the bomb-strewn
                  bush, endangering themselves and any pursuers.

                  Pentagon officials said the FBI would lead on operation to arrest and remove
                  protesters. U.S. Marines would then come ashore to take command of the
                  bombing range perimeter.

                  Federal officers are on standby at the Roosevelt Roads Naval Station on the
                  main island of Puerto Rico.

                  Protesters are braced for a landing at any time, and have soaked rags with a
                  vinegar-water mix to protect their eyes in case agents use pepper spray against
                  them.

                  At a briefing Tuesday, the Pentagon spokesman, Rear Adm. Craig Quigley,
                  refused to answer questions about a planned operation to remove protesters but
                  defended the Navy's position that the island alone offers the Atlantic Fleet "the
                  opportunity to combine both the amphibious training, the naval gunfire training
                  and the air-to-ground ordnance training".

                  Protest leader vows peaceful action

                  Protest leader Robert Rabin has insisted the group will submit peacefully should a
                  raid occur. A few, however, have threatened to run into the bomb-littered bush
                  in protest, endangering themselves and any pursuers.

                  The Navy controls about two-thirds of Vieques, located six miles (9.6
                  kilometers) southeast of Puerto Rico. The military has used Vieques as a practice
                  bombing range since the 1940s. It considers the island an ideal spot to stage
                  full-range practice operations.

                  In January, the Clinton administration reached an agreement with the Puerto
                  Rican government calling on resumed, limited bombing range operations using
                  dummy bombs. In return, the government is offering $40 million in aid, none of
                  which it will hand over until the range is once again in operation.