The following article/interview was published today, and is translated by your beloved Katz- forgive any grammatical or syntactical errors:
An affable man with a sense of humor- that was the image given by the Democratic presidential candidate, Barack Obama. In an interview with El Nuevo Día, the senator confronted his opponent because of her promise of giving Puerto Ricans the right to vote for the president of the US and he declared that the political status of the Island needs to be solved.
Hillary Clinton said in an interview that she will work to allow Puerto Ricans to vote for the president of the US. Do you agree with her position?
-That's something that must be solved as part of the general status problem. If we are sending Puerto Ricans to fight in our wars, they must have more representation in Washington. But, of course, I can't be making promises if we haven't even solved the status issue. Senator Clinton will have to explain to you all how she plans to achieve such things while ignoring a whole process in the Congress.
Do you consider Puerto Rico a colony?
-The relationship between PR and the US is very complicated. Puerto Ricans have enough reasons to feel like they have to serve their duties as American citizens while not getting all the privileges. For example, representation in Congress. That's an important reason why the status issue should be solved. And I want to work with the leadership of both sides, take into consideration both your decisions and the ones of Congress, so that we can start an auto-determination process.
What autonomic powers could the Puerto Rican government achieve under your presidency?
-I can't answer that question until you decide. My opinion is that Puerto Ricans, apart of being proud of being US citizens, are very proud of being Puerto Ricans. The government of Puerto Rico should have enough autonomy so that it can take decisions regarding the economy, education and health. It's also true that Puerto Ricans get help from the US government in terms of housing, education and other areas. The rules of how that money should be invested should be the same as in the other 50 states. The most important principle is that Puerto Rico should be treated and respected just like any other state in terms of powers. States have individual powers, governors can do many things that the Federal Government can't do. There is a lot to be done, but whatever happens in the coasts of Puerto Rico should be respected like any other state.
You have a multicultural background. Do you think the US is ready to have a state with people with a different culture and language?
-If that was the decision (of the Puerto Rican people), the US would be ready to have another state with a multicultural background. After all, California, New Mexico and Arizona have a huge Hispanic population, although there is tension sometimes. But people must recognize that the US has become a diverse country and I believe that is good- after all, I have a multicultural background myself. I'm standing here as the potential next president of the United States, as a testament of the changes that will come. But the biggest issue here is the actual status. Many people in the mainland are opposed to statehood because they think there will be two more Democratic states (D.C. and P.R.) and that's what causes the opposition.
Former President Bill Clinton pardoned twelve Puerto Rican political prisoners in 2000. Would you do the same with the remaining three, who are still incarcerated in American prisons?
I would have to revise those cases before making a decision and answering because it's very important that when presidential powers are used to give pardons, cases need to be looked at individually and not as a group.
Do you think PR has a strategic value for the US in the Caribbean?
We have a lot of interest in what's happening in the Caribbean. President Bush has not paid enough attention to what's happening over here. They are so focused on Iraq that they haven't paid any attention to Puerto Rico, Haiti and many other countries. I want to be a president that approaches, listens and works with Caribbean government to promote economic development and improve the quality of life.
http://www.elnuevodia.com/diario/noticia/portada/noticias/puerto_rico_debe_ser_respetado_y_tratado_igual_que_cualquier_estado/409675
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