From: Ape2345m@aol.com

Puerto Rico Welcomes Ricky Martin

By MANUEL ERNESTO RIVERA Associated Press Writer

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) - Thousands of screaming, flag-waving fans are giving favorite son Ricky Martin a hero's welcome in his native Puerto Rico, packing a stadium for the pop star's first concerts here since he conquered the English-language music charts.

Fans crowded into the Hiram Bithorn Stadium Friday night for the first of the three shows in San Juan. The run which will wrap up on Sunday.

Martin had not performed in Puerto Rico for two years, but many on this Caribbean island of 3.8 million people are proud of his international success. At Friday's concert, Martin returned the sentiment.

``This flag is all over the world. That's Puerto Ricans - proud of who we are,'' Martin told the crowd, prompting deafening applause.

Martin also won the crowd's approval by voicing his opposition to the U.S. Navy's bombing exercises on the Puerto Rican island of Vieques. The Puerto Rican government has agreed to allow limited exercises on Vieques for at least three more years, but many on the island are opposed to the Navy's presence.

``Not one bullet more, please,'' Martin yelled to the cheering crowd while waving the Puerto Rican flag. ``Peace for Vieques!''

Politics aside, many of Martin's fans were swooning over the ex-Menudo member's good looks and swinging hips. Keila Rodriguez, 15, said before the concert began that she was ``crazy and anxious'' to see Martin ``moving his hips.''

``Martin was beautiful!'' said Celian Gonzalez, 27.

Martin kicked off the concert with his huge hit ``Livin' La Vida Loca'' and obliged fans' cravings for his latest radio favorite, ``Shake Your Bon.'' He wrapped up with ``The Cup of Life,'' the song he performed at last year's Grammy awards.

Martin just wrapped up a 28-city tour of the United States.