Word: ricans
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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...minor diplomatic issue involving Cuba was resolved last week when Havana released four Americans from its prisons. For four years Fidel Castro had said that they would be freed if the U.S. released four Puerto Rican nationalists who were in prison for trying to assassinate President Truman and House leaders in the 1950s. Carter granted them clemency two weeks ago. Nonetheless, State Department officials denied that any deal had been made with Havana...
...brief moment last week San Juan's international airport took on the atmosphere of a revolutionary carnival, as some 5,000 Puerto Ricans gathered to welcome an American Airlines jet. Young couples swayed to the rhythm of revolutionary songs, vendors did a brisk business selling tiny Puerto Rican flags, and young leftists passed out leaflets calling for armed struggle...
Earlier in the week, at receptions in Chicago and New York City, they had demanded Puerto Rican independence and refused to rule out violence. During a press conference at the U.N., Collazo said, "I decide whether terrorism is necessary after I return to Puerto Rico." Lebrón added, "I am a revolutionary and a member of the atomic age ... I hate bombs but we might have to use them...
Such words raised concern on the U.S. mainland and in the island commonwealth, where the independence movement has won few votes and terrorism none. Puerto Rican Governor Carlos Romero Barceloó an ardent proponent of statehood, had opposed the release of the prisoners and pointedly left San Juan for a visit to the mainland to avoid the whole fuss over their return. Their release coincides with the campaign that will culminate in Puerto Rico's first presidential primaries, to be held in February and March of 1980. With straight faces, White House aides deny any link between the release...
...reelected, Governor Romero has promised to hold a plebiscite in 1981 to let Puerto Ricans choose between the present commonwealth, statehood and independence. And despite the emotional uproar over the nationalists' release, the pro-independence forces have never won more than 19% in an election-their last tally, in 1976, was less than 7%. As for his Administration's feelings about Puerto Rican statehood-pro-statehood forces won 48% of the vote in the last election -Carter told the congressional caucus dinner last week: -"I would support whatever decision is made by the people of Puerto Rico...