PR: Looking to make the Navy pay?

Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP) Rep. Victor Garcia San Inocencio called on Monday for the testing of Puerto Rican military personnel returning from Kosovo and Iraq to ascertain if they are contaminated with depleted uranium.

He petitioned for similar testing of Vieques residents, who for decades may have been exposed to depleted uranium and other toxic contaminants by the United States Navy, who conducted military exercises and experiments in the island municipality using munitions containing the deadly substances.

Garcia San Inocencio made the plea after four servicemen from New York, two of them of Puerto Rican background, tested positive for depleted uranium exposure after returning from Iraq.

“The news that soldiers who participated in the war have tested positive for depleted uranium exposure, opens the door for the investigation of cases that may surface among the population of Vieques, who we know were exposed to munitions bearing these materials by the Navy,” stated Garcia in a communiqué.

He also urged the passing of self-authored bills that would address the issue of contamination which may be related to military base operation and target practice in Puerto Rico.

Among the bills was a joint resolution to create a Fund for the Testing of Heavy Metals and Other Toxic Contaminants for Vieques residents.