JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: CNN has learned that the United States government is planning an operation to clear protesters from Vieques, a small Puerto Rican island. The island has been used as a Navy bombing range since World War II. CNN's military affairs correspondent Jamie McIntyre is at the Pentagon with a report -- Jamie.</s>JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN MILITARY AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Well, Judy, this could be another tricky situation for U.S. law enforcement officials coming on the heels of the raid to retrieve Elian Gonzalez. This time the scene is the tiny Puerto Rican island Vieques where for more then a year protesters have kept the U.S. Navy from using its bombing range. In January, the Clinton administration struck a deal with the island's governor to use dummy bombs that don't explode, but the protesters have refused to budge. Now, CNN has learned that the Justice Department is preparing to send hundreds of federal marshals and FBI agents to evict or arrest the protesters, who number between a couple of a dozen to as many as 300. In addition, as many as 1,200 Marines will be sent to stay offshore until the law enforcement operation is complete. Pentagon officials insist the Marines will not be conducting any arrests, but will provide security after the fact. They are scheduled to leave on two assault ships from Norfolk, Virginia, as soon as tomorrow. CNN has also learned the operation was set to go a few weeks ago, but was turned around while the marshals were in the air. Now that the element of surprise has been lost, the Justice Department could reconsider. Jamie McIntyre, CNN, live at the Pentagon.
U.S. Plans to Clear Protesters of Navy Bombing Site From Puerto Rican Island of Vieques