JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: Three U.S. warships have moved into waters off Puerto Rico's Vieques Island, as U.S. federal agents prepare to remove protesters from a disputed U.S. Navy bombing range. CNN's military affairs correspondent Jamie McIntyre joins us now from the Pentagon -- Jamie.</s>JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN MILITARY AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Well, Judy, U.S. law enforcement officials appear to be in the final stages of their plan to clear the several dozen protesters from the Puerto Rican island of Vieques so the U.S. Navy can resume training exercises there that have been blocked for almost a year. The demonstrations began just about a year ago, when a civilian security guard working for the U.S. Navy was killed by an errant bomb dropped by a Marine F-18. In January, the Clinton administration struck a deal with the governor to use only non-explosive dummy bombs until a referendum by island residents, but the protesters want the Navy out. Two amphibious assault ships which left Norfolk last Thursday have arrived near the island. They're carrying about 1,000 U.S. Marines. but the Pentagon says those Marines will not be involved in any arrests. But they will back up federal marshals and FBI agents, some of whom are on the Navy ships and will be flown in on military helicopters. The Navy says the island is the only place on the East Coast suitable for practice invasion drills that have to include live bombs and ammunition if they're going to prepare troops for battle, or so argues the Navy. There are about a dozen or so protesters on the main gate, another couple of dozen out on the range. They could be cleared as soon as tomorrow -- Judy.</s>WOODRUFF: Jamie McIntyre, thanks.
U.S. Warships Move into Waters off Vieques