The colonial status of Puerto Rico and the need to resolve it has been recognized by all the major political parties in Puerto Rico and the international community as evidenced by the resolutions passed by the United Nations. At present U.S. colonial control of this island nation is evidenced the fact that the U.S. Government can impose its authority unilaterally over any aspect of Puerto Rico's economic, political, and civic life.

Puerto Ricans, although U.S. citizens, cannot vote in presidential elections. Puerto Ricans are subject to conscription in the event that the United States government declares war on another nation. The Puerto Rican government cannot establish treaties nor carry out trade with other nations without the express approval of the U.S.; Puerto Rico has no control over its territorial waters and U.S. military presence on the island is continuing to expand. The U.S. has already obtained assurances that it will retain its unrestricted and exclusive access to its military bases. As a territory of the U.S., Puerto Rico falls under the territorial clause of the U.S Constitution and is therefore subject to Congressional plenary powers.

July 25, 1998, will mark 100 years since the U.S. invasion: 100 years of colonial control and military occupation over the nation of Puerto Rico The Comite Puerto Rico 98 repudiates the legacy of U S. colonialism in Puerto Rico.

In the coming year leading up to July 25,1998, we will educate our community and the general public in the United States about not only the realities of U.S. colonialism in Puerto Rico but also the history of resistance and struggle that has also characterized the colonial relationship over the past 100 years.

The people of Puerto Rico have resisted attempts to destroy our language, culture, and traditions both in Puerto Rico and in the Puerto Rican Community in the U.S. The people of Puerto Rico have resisted attempts to physically eliminate its leaders and to crush its resistance.

Presently, there are 16 political prisoners and POWs in U.S. federal prisons for fighting for the independence of Puerto Rico. The Comite Puerto Rico '98 is Part of that legacy of resistance and. struggle against the colonization of Puerto Rico.

Those who have come together have done so with the purpose of constituting ourselves as a New York City Tri-State area committee to organize and educate regarding U.S. colonialism in Puerto Rico and to protest the centennial of the U.S. invasion of Puerto Rico on July 25,1998. In addition, as a local committee we have organized ourselves to participate m the national efforts in process over the coming year to protest 100 years since the U.S. invasion of Puerto Rico. For the purpose of our educational outreach, press work, activities, and participation in national work we have constituted ourselves and have chosen the name: El Comite Puerto Rico '98. Furthermore, it is the purpose of the Comite Puerto Rico'98.

To impact our community with educational literature and activities in order to mobilize it and its friends and allies to denounce the U.S. S. invasion and its continued colonial control over Puerto Rico;

To prioritize the education and active involvement of our youth in the work and process of the Comite Puerto Rico '98;

To actively reach out to like minded individuals and organizations in other cities so as to be active participants and contributors to the national efforts and initiatives for 1998;

To utilize the Work Committee as a way of organizing ourselves, taking on tasks and identifying increasing numbers of people and groups to get involved m the work being developed by our Work Committees.

The Comite Puerto Rico '98 will be guided in its meetings, work and activities by the following principles of unity:

I. Support for the Independence of Puerto Rico;

II. Freedom for the Puerto Rican Political Prisoners and POWs;

III. Building Ties Between the Struggles in the United States and Those in Puerto Rico and Linking the Political and Democratic Rights Struggles of Puerto Ricans in the United States and Puerto Rico.

IV. Developing Massive Educational Campaign Targeting Our Communities and Allies;

V. Maintain the highest levels of respect for differences and staying to focused on what unites us.

As Puerto Ricans residing in the United States, we understand that we must repudiate and denounce the military occupation of Puerto Rico. The government of the United States must be held responsible for its colonial/repressive policies and actions in Puerto Rico. At the same time, we will work actively to bring about genuine self-determination for the people of Puerto Rico and to achieve political, racial, and economic justice for the Puerto Rican community in the United States.