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This is ridiculous, if I remember my history correctly. I was taught in grade school that Puerto Rico has long had the choice to vote on whether to (A) become independent, (B) apply for statehood, or (C) continue in its present status -- and that, every time this vote has come up, P.R. voters have chosen (C). P.R. doesn't need Spain to speak for it -- if it wants to change its geopolitical status, it's got the means -- it simply needs the will, i.e., has to convince its voters.

(please correct me if I've gotten the facts wrong...)

I think you are both right but the spectre/Specter here is one of an international body asserting its authority over US affairs. Foreign "laws" applied to American citizens in American territory.

I'm sure Spain wants nothing to do with the proposal - but someone else (another former Spanish colony?) might find the idea an ideal means to tweak Uncle Sam.

The UN, of course, would be all too eager to spend buckets of money (mostly ours) investigating how we've gone wrong in upholding the treaty.

And, although every Puerto Rican I've even known was just tickled with their unique status, there is no telling what the UN might have to say about the proper course for an ethnic enclave off the coast and 'suffering under the yoke of 'gringo domination' (or something).

On the bright side, we could condemn the old building in Turtle Bay, pull diplomatic immunity from the UN, hand over a lot of newly empty hotel space in Puerto Rico, and perhaps let 'em both go together.