A tumultuous crowd made up of two
factions greeted former Gov. Carlos Ro-
mero Barceló and leaders of the Puerto
Rican Independence Party at Luis Munóz
Marín International Airport Saturday on
their return from status hearings in
Washington.
Related story, Page 4
About 300 statehood supporters lined
up on one side of the American Airlines
exit gate while 300 independentistas
crowded along the other side of the same
exit.
Waving flags and chanting slogans, the
two groups good-naturedly jeered each
other across the passageway while they
waited for the party leaders to arrive.
PIP president Rubén Berríos had been
expected but had to go to New York for
meetings related to matters before the
United Nations. But the independence
supporters stood by to hail Sen. Fernándo
Martin and Rep. David Noriega.
At about 7:15 p.m. airport authorities
opened another exit so that Romero, the
head of the pro-statehood New Progres-
sives, and the PIP legislators would not
be going out of the same gate.
Romero, looking a little flushed but
smiling broadly, strode into the middle of
his supporters shortly after 7:30 p.m. He
spoke to reporters over a bedlam of
cheers and chanting.
"We are very pleased with the hearings
in Washington," he said. "When the hear-
ings are held here we will have plenty of
persons testifying that statehood is the
A
STAR photo by Carlos Angula
New Progressive Party President Carlos Romero Barceló is greeted by
supporters at Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport on his return from
Washington. To Romero's left is José Granados Navedo, unsuccessful NPP
candidate for San Juan mayor last year.
best thing for both the United States and Puerto Rico."
Asked his impression of the perfor mances by Gov. Hernández Colón and Ruben Berrios, he replied:
"I don't think there is a Puerto Rican
anywhere who does not think Rubén was definitely better than Hernández Colón. He was eloquent and reasonable whereas Hernández Colón had his position demolished because he is asking, asking, asking but not giving anything in return. Right
now, definitely, the matter has boiled
down to statehood or independence."
The reception a short distance away
for Noriega and Martin was just as
Jubilant.
"The colonialists and annexationists
went to Washington looking for wool and
left there with themselves sheared," said
Noriega. "It is sad that the Popular party
has still not recognized the signs of the
times.
"I am particularly satisfied because we
have begun to destroy the myuths spread
by enemies of independence, all the lies
that we would lose Social Security, food
stamps and other benefits. Our dialogue
with the Congressmen was frank and
sincere and we have done away with the
negative myth, the image some congress-
men may have had about supporters of
Independence," be added.
Noriega said Hernández Colón's testi-
mony at the hearings was embarrassing.
"The bad showing by the governor was
not really his fault, though," he said. "The
truth is that it's very difficult to defend
colonialism in a world where the only
colony left is Puerto Rico."
Martin said the bearings showed that
"Independence is a viable path, a possible
option, and in the long run the only option
that will permit an authentic and equal
relation with the United States.
"We have made an offer to the United
States that is irresistibly good. What the
other two parties offer the U.S. Is eternal
dependence. We, on the other hand, have
been telling them for many years that the
opposite of dependence is independence."
Matin said Berrios was expected to
return to the island Tuesday or
Wednesday.