From Japan: Obama May Delay Guam Build

Written by Stefan Sebastian

Guam-- More reports are coming out of Japan that the pending military buildup on Guam could be delayed as the plan is reviewed by President-Elect Barack Obama's administration when he takes office next year.

The President of Japan's Democratic Party, Seiji Maehara, says Obama's diplomatic staff has already agreed with Japanese officials that the plan to relocate about 8,000 Marines and their families to Guam from Okinawa is “in-feasible” and should be re-examined. Maehara met with Obama's staff in a June trip to the United States. Officials with Gov. Felix Camacho's office are declining to comment on the reports for now until they can verify them with Japanese and American officials. Any delay in the buildup plan could affect the local economy and set back GovGuam's efforts to address the impact it will have on the island. However, officials say the plan for now remains on track.

The buildup plan comes under the Alliance Transformation And Realignment Agreement and calls for the relocation of the Marines and their families to Guam by 2014.