Shipping, trade spark Puerto Rico autonomy resolution

Shipping, trade spark Puerto Rico autonomy resolution The general assembly for Puerto Rico's ruling Popular Democratic Party approved a resolution Sunday asking the United Nations to review the island's status and provide pressure to gain greater autonomy from the United States.
   An Associated Press report on the resolution said the party wants Puerto Rico to maintain ties with the United States, but still be able to negotiate trade agreements independently and import goods on ships that are not U.S.-flag, Jones Act carriers.
   The party's resolution is especially noteworthy because the Popular Democrats have never called for a change in the relationship with the United States.
   There are three schools of thought among Puerto Rican political groups: one favoring statehood; a smaller-but-vocal group seeking complete independence from the United States; and the largest, which favors the continuation of the commonwealth status.
   Gov. Anibal Acevedo and the Popular Democrats have expressed support for commonwealth status. Acevedo recently said he would run for re-election in 2008.
   The resolution asking the UN to review Puerto Rico's status could not force such a review. The UN does not have any authority over events in Puerto Rico. But the resolution draws attention to the party's concerns about the current status, and could create political pressure in Puerto Rico, the United States and internationally to consider a change.
   Proponents of Jones Act shipping say it assures reliable, quality shipping services for Puerto Rico. Labor issues, the environment, and national security are also noted by supporters.
   'The Jones Act is a difficult subject in Puerto Rico,' said Roberto Lugo Jr., Crowley Liner Services' vice president and general manager-Puerto Rico, in a panel discussion on the subject sponsored last May by the Caribbean Shipping Association. 'We think that in terms of both quality and costs, Puerto Rico has the best service in the Caribbean.'
   Advocates of independent trade agreements for Puerto Rico say it would be easier to negotiate trade pacts with other Caribbean economies as an independent entity, rather than waiting for the full congressional and executive support of the United States.