APPENDIX VI APPENDIX VI We fully realize that the formulation of status options Report nor political is neither the focus of the the intent of Senator Draft McClure's request, and that a factual narrative concerning the Compact has nothing to do with the use to be made of the Report thereafter. However, Since any discussion of organizational or policy changes will necessarily involve status, we feel that explicit acknowledgment of the fact that Puerto Rico's situa-. tion is completely different from those of the other territories would be more realistic and more in keeping with the purpose and intent of the Report. VI. National Security. (to effect the that We find the emphasis on page 2 U. S. interests focus national’ security) to be --if true-- a sad commen- tary 86-year on the significance of Puerto Rico's history as a United States possession. reads This section as if Puerto Rico were a foreign nation which has to be persuaded to continue "close and relations" with the U. S. Puerto Ricans U.S. citizens for almost 70 years. friendly have armed forces residing on the Island. Puerto Ricans reside in the 50 states. LJ 3 © 86 been Presently there are some 150,000 Puerto Rican veterans of the U. 5000 on Ss. Some 2,000,000