Hatoyama Begins Fact Finding Tour; Local Media and Lawmakers Shut Out
Wednesday, 09 December 2009
Guam - The Joint Guam Program Office has Japanese Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa in tow today. They are escorting him around the island's military facilities along with a bevy of Japanese media.
Kitazawa arrived last night as scheduled and is staying at the Hyatt.
Local media have been virtually shut out of Kitazawa's fact finding tour and have not been allowed to go along with the Japanese media.
Kitizawa has made himself available to local media late this afternoon at 5:45 pm at the Hyatt where he is staying.
And, with the exception of a brief courtesy visit to Governor Camacho, local leaders have also been shut out as well. Kitazawa will not be meeting with any legislative leaders.
Japan's Prime Minister Yuikio Hatoyama has instructed his Defense Minister to "make extra, active efforts to find alternative locations" for the Futenma Air Base in Okinawa.
The Prime Minister has suggested the possibility of moving the entire Futenma Base here to Guam. However, that is considered highly unlikely.
The Guam military buildup hangs on Hatoyama's decision over the Futenma base relocation.
Hatoyama has said he will not make a final decision until the new year.
Written by : Kevin Kerrigan
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