Holiday cleanup shows Pagat some love
By Amritha Alladi • Pacific Daily News • February 15, 2010
They could have been at home enjoying breakfast in bed with their sweethearts.
Instead, they came bearing trash bags to show some love for their island.
The Guam Boonie Stompers Association and We Are Guåhan arranged a hike and cleanup of the trail to Pagat Caves yesterday.
According to the two groups, the hike was more than just an opportunity to inform the public on how the area will be affected as a result of the military buildup. It also was a demonstration of the different groups of people who care about their island.
"One of the things I do know is growing up here, every weekend there are a lot of formal hikes organized and which are led, and usually a very specific demographic goes on those," said Desiree Ventura of We Are Guåhan.
"With me and my friends and family, I know that sometimes we just roll down in groups of ones or twos or threes and we don't really get to see the other groups of people who enjoy it," she said. "So there's a big misconception about who's using it, and I thought this was a great opportunity to show that we all value it, and we can all take care of it and work together."
The Pagat caves once were a source of fresh water to ancient Chamorro villages and are now one of the few places on island where residents and tourists may view ancient pottery, lusongs and latte stones dating back over 3,500 years, according to the two organizations.
But access to the caves may soon be limited if the Defense Department places a firing range on part of it -- one of the options outlined in the department's draft Environmental Impact Statement on the military buildup.
That's one of the reasons 45-year-old Roy Geary of Tamuning was out cleaning the trail on his way down to the caves yesterday. He hadn't visited them before but had always wanted to, he said.
"This is kind of like payment for the hike," said Geary, as he stacked wood strewn across the trail into a pickup truck.
Sonny Cruz, 41, of Sinajana said it was his first trip to the caves as well. He hadn't been to the Pagat caves before and wanted to explore them with his kids while he still had a chance.
In response to those who may have said it's too late to be cleaning up the trail now -- just as access is on the cusp of being restricted -- Cruz said he feels the cleanup hike actually demonstrates local residents' desire to keep their natural sites clean and that they do care about it.
"I guess they want to do this to try and clean it up and show that we're trying to take care of this area so that they can keep doing their boonie stomps," he said.
Plus, according to Dave Lotz, a hiker with the Guam Boonie Stompers, this isn't the first time his group has orchestrated a beautification project like this.
"The Guam Boonie Stompers has had an interest in the Pagat Cave area for some time and has been doing regular cleanups on the island," he said.
"We've cleaned up the area, trying to concentrate on the trash in the cave area and also in (the) Chamorro village, but with increased usage and with illegal dumping, we feel we need to make a major community effort to cleaning up the area that goes through one of our major cultural assets on the island," Lotz said. "(It's) certainly received increased attention with the possibility that this could be closed due to the military buildup, and we just want to show that there's community support for this, which is what we're seeing right now on a Sunday morning."
In the meantime, the Guam Preservation Trust is trying to get Pagat on a list of the the country's Most Endangered Historic Properties, a designation program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which could possibly prevent the Defense Department from constructing the firing range there.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Group aims to clear up misconceptions
Group aims to clear up misconceptions
By Amritha Alladi • Pacific Daily News • February 15, 2010
They've been to several of the draft Environmental Impact Statement meetings, and even arranged tours of some of Guam's natural and historic sites.
We Are Guåhan, a grassroots organization that formed after the draft EIS was released Nov. 20, 2009, has been advocating to keep the public informed about the military buildup, according to the group. With their mailing, phone and Facebook lists combined, the group comprises about 5,000 individuals, members of the group have said.
Four of them sat down with the Pacific Daily News last week to dispel what they felt were misconceptions about their group: Genevieve Won Pat-Borja, a special education teacher with the Guam Department of Education; Cara Flores-Mays, a small business owner; Marie Auyong, a nonprofit administrator; and Victoria-Lola Leon Guerrero, an English instructor at the University of Guam.
With just three days left to comment on the draft EIS, the group is urging people to comment on the draft EIS.
Question: Who is We Are Guåhan?
Flores-Mays: We are a group of concerned individuals and families, one of our goals is to get information out to the public. I don't think that's our only goal.... We're committed to a sustainable future.
Q: Would you say the group is against the buildup?
Auyong: I think that's not necessarily that black and white. I think there are a lot of people who have very nuanced perspectives on the buildup itself, ... and I think right now our project is the DEIS commenting period, and the process by which it's come about. ... We have found that information has been lacking, that perhaps some institutions have not been forthright about that and so we're trying to fill that void.
Flores-Mays: A lot of our events are aimed at communicating facts straight out of the EIS. ... So if we're against the buildup, then the EIS would be against the buildup as well.
Won Pat-Borja: If it does seem we're presenting a lot of negative information, it's because ... there are quite a large number of negative impacts.
(According to information posted on the group's Web site, taken from the draft EIS, those negative impacts include the dredging of 25 acres of reef which would eliminate some endangered turtle species, the taking of 2,500 acres of land, and the loss of 26,000 jobs from 2015 through 2017.)
Q: Are there places where you see Guam can benefit from the buildup?
Flores-Mays: I think that there's quite a bit of information out there about how Guam can benefit. However, there's always the positive and never the negative, and so I guess it may come across that we're anti-buildup because we communicate the rest of the information. ... These are points that we've taken from the economists and biologists and so we have actually discussed the benefits of the buildup.
(According to the Defense Department document, Guam's unemployment rate is expected to fall to 4 percent when Guam residents and off-islanders start taking on jobs associated with the military buildup. About 33,000 jobs for civilian workers will be created by the 2014 peak, and an additional 6,150 jobs will be provided on a "more permanent basis" thereafter.)
Q: Do you think that the buildup can be done, but just in a different way?
Flores-Mays: These are personal questions. As an organization, I think that if we were to answer these questions, they would be personal answers, ... it would be a misrepresentation.
Leon Guerrero: For so long this community has been told this is a done deal. No one should have to be told that they have no say in their future.
By Amritha Alladi • Pacific Daily News • February 15, 2010
They've been to several of the draft Environmental Impact Statement meetings, and even arranged tours of some of Guam's natural and historic sites.
We Are Guåhan, a grassroots organization that formed after the draft EIS was released Nov. 20, 2009, has been advocating to keep the public informed about the military buildup, according to the group. With their mailing, phone and Facebook lists combined, the group comprises about 5,000 individuals, members of the group have said.
Four of them sat down with the Pacific Daily News last week to dispel what they felt were misconceptions about their group: Genevieve Won Pat-Borja, a special education teacher with the Guam Department of Education; Cara Flores-Mays, a small business owner; Marie Auyong, a nonprofit administrator; and Victoria-Lola Leon Guerrero, an English instructor at the University of Guam.
With just three days left to comment on the draft EIS, the group is urging people to comment on the draft EIS.
Question: Who is We Are Guåhan?
Flores-Mays: We are a group of concerned individuals and families, one of our goals is to get information out to the public. I don't think that's our only goal.... We're committed to a sustainable future.
Q: Would you say the group is against the buildup?
Auyong: I think that's not necessarily that black and white. I think there are a lot of people who have very nuanced perspectives on the buildup itself, ... and I think right now our project is the DEIS commenting period, and the process by which it's come about. ... We have found that information has been lacking, that perhaps some institutions have not been forthright about that and so we're trying to fill that void.
Flores-Mays: A lot of our events are aimed at communicating facts straight out of the EIS. ... So if we're against the buildup, then the EIS would be against the buildup as well.
Won Pat-Borja: If it does seem we're presenting a lot of negative information, it's because ... there are quite a large number of negative impacts.
(According to information posted on the group's Web site, taken from the draft EIS, those negative impacts include the dredging of 25 acres of reef which would eliminate some endangered turtle species, the taking of 2,500 acres of land, and the loss of 26,000 jobs from 2015 through 2017.)
Q: Are there places where you see Guam can benefit from the buildup?
Flores-Mays: I think that there's quite a bit of information out there about how Guam can benefit. However, there's always the positive and never the negative, and so I guess it may come across that we're anti-buildup because we communicate the rest of the information. ... These are points that we've taken from the economists and biologists and so we have actually discussed the benefits of the buildup.
(According to the Defense Department document, Guam's unemployment rate is expected to fall to 4 percent when Guam residents and off-islanders start taking on jobs associated with the military buildup. About 33,000 jobs for civilian workers will be created by the 2014 peak, and an additional 6,150 jobs will be provided on a "more permanent basis" thereafter.)
Q: Do you think that the buildup can be done, but just in a different way?
Flores-Mays: These are personal questions. As an organization, I think that if we were to answer these questions, they would be personal answers, ... it would be a misrepresentation.
Leon Guerrero: For so long this community has been told this is a done deal. No one should have to be told that they have no say in their future.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
10 areas of concerns but Tinian Chamber of Commerce supports military buildup
10 areas of concerns but Tinian Chamber of Commerce supports military buildup
Monday, February 15, 2010
By Haidee V. Eugenio
The Tinian Chamber of Commerce has formally expressed its support to the military investment on Tinian in connection with the massive troop buildup in the Marianas, but it has pointed out 10 areas of concerns, including limited economic impact, only a few local jobs to be generated, and periodic limited access to beach sites, other tourism related sites, and cattle grazing land.
In a 12-page position paper and official comments on the draft environmental impact statement for the Guam and CNMI military relocation, the Chamber said its comments are meant to “constructively point out unintentional consequences caused by the military's proposed action” on the draft EIS.
Feb. 17 is the deadline for submitting comments on the draft EIS.
The Chamber, which has over 50 active members on Tinian, also offered “solutions” to meet the expectations of businesses and residents on the island.
Phillip Mendiola-Long, president of the Tinian Chamber of Commerce, said Tinian has endured over 30 years of pent up expectations for the military's use and development of the 18,000 acres of leased land on Tinian.
Some two-thirds of the lands on Tinian are leased by the U.S. military, and battalion level non-live fire training areas already exist and are used on these leased parcels.
Because Guam cannot accommodate all training for the relocating Marines from Okinawa, Japan, the U.S. military looks at Tinian to provide opportunities for training groups of 200 Marines or larger due to greater land availability.
The proposed actions on Tinian include firing ranges for rifle known distance, automated combat pistol, platoon battle course, field firing, and airspace use.
In a Feb. 12 position paper and comments on the draft EIS, the Chamber said it disagrees with the determination of “less than significant” for impacts to the roads and harbors as a result of the proposed action on Tinian.
The Chamber said there are no studies or compaction tests offered to determine if in fact the roads built in 1944 can withstand the additional and heavier loads required for equipment used in the range.
The business group added that the draft EIS failed to identify which specific Tinian roads would be accessed or used when moving personnel and equipment from the airport or the harbor.
It also said there's no real live fire tests offered to measure noise impact, even as the draft EIS said there is no noise impact associated with the proposed action on Tinian.
Recreational resources
The Chamber said the draft EIS omitted significant recreational resources that will be impacted.
They include Unai Dankulu/Long Beach which consists of over 10 beaches spread over a distance of 1.5 kilometers, and Unai Masalok which consists of three beaches spread over a distance of 0.5 kilometers.
“Access would be impeded, recreational opportunities would be reduced, conflicts would be created and physical deterioration would occur. Unai Dankulo is the longest beach on Tinian and is a major tourist and resident recreational spot,” the business group said.
Since the draft EIS identifies additional significant impact on Tinian due to the introduction of hazardous materials and waste, it would seem appropriate that the draft EIS offer as a mitigation measure the hazardous materials cleanup of the Tinian mortar range, it added.
Under the draft EIS, military training activity would be scheduled and notice provided in newspapers and via public service announcements on radio and television at least a week prior to any training event.
But the Chamber said a one-week notice window is not enough time for tourists and residents to address their scheduling of activities for use of the North Field areas.
The Chamber also said that the draft EIS failed to identify what range training area policies are envisioned for potential civilian access and use of the historical and recreational areas located in the RTA.
Limited economic impact
Liberty for training Marines is currently not guaranteed for regular training exercises under the current description of the proposed action.
Liberty may be available to the advanced teams before and after training exercises, though these advanced teams would be much smaller and thus have a lesser economic impact.
The draft EIS said to enhance economic benefits and compensate for economic costs for local businesses, the Marine Corps would consider granting trainees some liberty at the end of every training mission so that they might spend money in local establishments and interact with local residents.
The Chamber recommends that the draft EIS implement liberty time within the proposed training schedule and measure economic impact of allowing 200 to 400 military personnel to have liberty in downtown Tinian.
The business group also recommends mitigation for the loss of Tinian economic tourism activity by requiring the U.S. military to pay for the development of a small museum dedicated to Tinian history.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial and Tinian Mayor Ramon M. Dela Cruz jointly asked Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to help build a museum or visitor's center that will depict Tinian's role in World War II, even as a “Manhattan Project National Historical Park” system is being created.
Tinian was the staging area for the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki to end the war.
Grazing permits, jobs
The U.S. military would end the grazing rights to build the proposed ranges on Tinian, causing significant adverse economic impact. There are 35 grazing permits to be affected by this.
The Chamber said this is unfair and unacceptable, and recommends that the military offer help in grazing relocation efforts.
The draft EIS also said there is a “possibility” that 12 to 15 Tinian residents could be employed as security guards, grounds keeping crew, and sanitation workers to support the proposed action, a “less than significant impact.”
“One must admit that the proposed military action and the possible environmental consequences is already a 'hard sell' to the people of Tinian, yet not enough thought or concern was given to the people of Tinian in this DEIS,” said the Chamber.
It added that that the draft EIS does not identify high-paying jobs such as range management positions.
The $15- to $20-billion military buildup in Guam and Tinian involves the relocation of some 8,000 Marines to Guam, and this still excludes thousands of family members and workers needed.
Monday, February 15, 2010
By Haidee V. Eugenio
The Tinian Chamber of Commerce has formally expressed its support to the military investment on Tinian in connection with the massive troop buildup in the Marianas, but it has pointed out 10 areas of concerns, including limited economic impact, only a few local jobs to be generated, and periodic limited access to beach sites, other tourism related sites, and cattle grazing land.
In a 12-page position paper and official comments on the draft environmental impact statement for the Guam and CNMI military relocation, the Chamber said its comments are meant to “constructively point out unintentional consequences caused by the military's proposed action” on the draft EIS.
Feb. 17 is the deadline for submitting comments on the draft EIS.
The Chamber, which has over 50 active members on Tinian, also offered “solutions” to meet the expectations of businesses and residents on the island.
Phillip Mendiola-Long, president of the Tinian Chamber of Commerce, said Tinian has endured over 30 years of pent up expectations for the military's use and development of the 18,000 acres of leased land on Tinian.
Some two-thirds of the lands on Tinian are leased by the U.S. military, and battalion level non-live fire training areas already exist and are used on these leased parcels.
Because Guam cannot accommodate all training for the relocating Marines from Okinawa, Japan, the U.S. military looks at Tinian to provide opportunities for training groups of 200 Marines or larger due to greater land availability.
The proposed actions on Tinian include firing ranges for rifle known distance, automated combat pistol, platoon battle course, field firing, and airspace use.
In a Feb. 12 position paper and comments on the draft EIS, the Chamber said it disagrees with the determination of “less than significant” for impacts to the roads and harbors as a result of the proposed action on Tinian.
The Chamber said there are no studies or compaction tests offered to determine if in fact the roads built in 1944 can withstand the additional and heavier loads required for equipment used in the range.
The business group added that the draft EIS failed to identify which specific Tinian roads would be accessed or used when moving personnel and equipment from the airport or the harbor.
It also said there's no real live fire tests offered to measure noise impact, even as the draft EIS said there is no noise impact associated with the proposed action on Tinian.
Recreational resources
The Chamber said the draft EIS omitted significant recreational resources that will be impacted.
They include Unai Dankulu/Long Beach which consists of over 10 beaches spread over a distance of 1.5 kilometers, and Unai Masalok which consists of three beaches spread over a distance of 0.5 kilometers.
“Access would be impeded, recreational opportunities would be reduced, conflicts would be created and physical deterioration would occur. Unai Dankulo is the longest beach on Tinian and is a major tourist and resident recreational spot,” the business group said.
Since the draft EIS identifies additional significant impact on Tinian due to the introduction of hazardous materials and waste, it would seem appropriate that the draft EIS offer as a mitigation measure the hazardous materials cleanup of the Tinian mortar range, it added.
Under the draft EIS, military training activity would be scheduled and notice provided in newspapers and via public service announcements on radio and television at least a week prior to any training event.
But the Chamber said a one-week notice window is not enough time for tourists and residents to address their scheduling of activities for use of the North Field areas.
The Chamber also said that the draft EIS failed to identify what range training area policies are envisioned for potential civilian access and use of the historical and recreational areas located in the RTA.
Limited economic impact
Liberty for training Marines is currently not guaranteed for regular training exercises under the current description of the proposed action.
Liberty may be available to the advanced teams before and after training exercises, though these advanced teams would be much smaller and thus have a lesser economic impact.
The draft EIS said to enhance economic benefits and compensate for economic costs for local businesses, the Marine Corps would consider granting trainees some liberty at the end of every training mission so that they might spend money in local establishments and interact with local residents.
The Chamber recommends that the draft EIS implement liberty time within the proposed training schedule and measure economic impact of allowing 200 to 400 military personnel to have liberty in downtown Tinian.
The business group also recommends mitigation for the loss of Tinian economic tourism activity by requiring the U.S. military to pay for the development of a small museum dedicated to Tinian history.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial and Tinian Mayor Ramon M. Dela Cruz jointly asked Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to help build a museum or visitor's center that will depict Tinian's role in World War II, even as a “Manhattan Project National Historical Park” system is being created.
Tinian was the staging area for the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki to end the war.
Grazing permits, jobs
The U.S. military would end the grazing rights to build the proposed ranges on Tinian, causing significant adverse economic impact. There are 35 grazing permits to be affected by this.
The Chamber said this is unfair and unacceptable, and recommends that the military offer help in grazing relocation efforts.
The draft EIS also said there is a “possibility” that 12 to 15 Tinian residents could be employed as security guards, grounds keeping crew, and sanitation workers to support the proposed action, a “less than significant impact.”
“One must admit that the proposed military action and the possible environmental consequences is already a 'hard sell' to the people of Tinian, yet not enough thought or concern was given to the people of Tinian in this DEIS,” said the Chamber.
It added that that the draft EIS does not identify high-paying jobs such as range management positions.
The $15- to $20-billion military buildup in Guam and Tinian involves the relocation of some 8,000 Marines to Guam, and this still excludes thousands of family members and workers needed.
DRT targeting taxes from military contracts
DRT targeting taxes from military contracts
Monday, 15 February 2010 05:15
by Therese Hart | Variety News Staff
THE Department of Revenue and Taxation has laws and regulations in place for companies doing business on Guam and those contracted on U.S. military installations and it is the department’s responsibility to make sure that all these companies are paying their taxes on island, tax director Art Ilagan said.
Contractors who do business on Guam are required to register with the Guam Contractor’s License Board and they must obtain clearances from DRT which would include the Collections Branch to make sure they do not have any unpaid taxes, said Ilagan in a letter to Speaker Judi Won Pat.
Ilagan said companies will not get clearance until all taxes are paid in full or they have entered into a payment installment agreement.
In a Jan. 20 memorandum, President Barack Obama directed the Internal Revenue Service to conduct a review of certifications of non-delinquency in taxes that companies bidding for federal contracts are required to submit pursuant to a 2008 amendment to the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
No info
The memo noted that too often federal contracting officials do not have the most basic information they need to make informed judgments about whether a company trying to win a federal contract is delinquent in paying its taxes.
Obama indicated that the federal government pays more than half a trillion dollars a year to contractors, yet reports by the Government Accountability Office state that federal contracts are awarded to tens of thousands of companies with serious tax delinquencies.
The total amount in unpaid taxes owed by these contracting companies is estimated to be more than $5 billion.
Ilagan said the federal government will go after off-island prime contractors. However, DRT foresees a problem of tracking subcontractors who do business on base.
Subcontracts
“Once they get the federal contract, they then subcontract out here on Guam to local contractors. We just have to control it here when the subcontractors get the contracts from the prime contractors. We have to track the subcontractors and even that is kinda hard to track. How do we know these subcontractors aren’t doing business on base?” said Ilagan.
Contractors who transact business solely on U.S. military installations on Guam are required to obtain a service license. They also are also require to obtain the necessary clearances with DRT which would include clearance from Collections Branch.
Ilagan said the Collections Branch is hard at work investigating these off-island companies with a service license to do business on military installations to make sure they are in compliance with the business privilege tax laws on Guam.
Daunting task
“It is a daunting task considering that for fiscal years 2008 and 2009, there were 649 and 644 contractors, respectively, listed on the federal government spending website for Guam alone,” Ilagan stated in a letter to Won Pat.
This list is a combination of local and off-island companies who either have a business license, contractor’s license or service license, Ilagan said.
Vice speaker B.J. Cruz is also concerned about Guam not being able to capture all local taxes owed by companies who will do business on Guam because of the military buildup.
Cruz has asked Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo to include language in the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act which would require that each construction contract to designate Guam as the originating site and that all associated income be designated possession source income without any special exemption.
Cruz also asked that the Department of Defense be specifically required to cooperate with tax officials on Guam.
Bordallo responded that she would consider Cruz’s request.
Monday, 15 February 2010 05:15
by Therese Hart | Variety News Staff
THE Department of Revenue and Taxation has laws and regulations in place for companies doing business on Guam and those contracted on U.S. military installations and it is the department’s responsibility to make sure that all these companies are paying their taxes on island, tax director Art Ilagan said.
Contractors who do business on Guam are required to register with the Guam Contractor’s License Board and they must obtain clearances from DRT which would include the Collections Branch to make sure they do not have any unpaid taxes, said Ilagan in a letter to Speaker Judi Won Pat.
Ilagan said companies will not get clearance until all taxes are paid in full or they have entered into a payment installment agreement.
In a Jan. 20 memorandum, President Barack Obama directed the Internal Revenue Service to conduct a review of certifications of non-delinquency in taxes that companies bidding for federal contracts are required to submit pursuant to a 2008 amendment to the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
No info
The memo noted that too often federal contracting officials do not have the most basic information they need to make informed judgments about whether a company trying to win a federal contract is delinquent in paying its taxes.
Obama indicated that the federal government pays more than half a trillion dollars a year to contractors, yet reports by the Government Accountability Office state that federal contracts are awarded to tens of thousands of companies with serious tax delinquencies.
The total amount in unpaid taxes owed by these contracting companies is estimated to be more than $5 billion.
Ilagan said the federal government will go after off-island prime contractors. However, DRT foresees a problem of tracking subcontractors who do business on base.
Subcontracts
“Once they get the federal contract, they then subcontract out here on Guam to local contractors. We just have to control it here when the subcontractors get the contracts from the prime contractors. We have to track the subcontractors and even that is kinda hard to track. How do we know these subcontractors aren’t doing business on base?” said Ilagan.
Contractors who transact business solely on U.S. military installations on Guam are required to obtain a service license. They also are also require to obtain the necessary clearances with DRT which would include clearance from Collections Branch.
Ilagan said the Collections Branch is hard at work investigating these off-island companies with a service license to do business on military installations to make sure they are in compliance with the business privilege tax laws on Guam.
Daunting task
“It is a daunting task considering that for fiscal years 2008 and 2009, there were 649 and 644 contractors, respectively, listed on the federal government spending website for Guam alone,” Ilagan stated in a letter to Won Pat.
This list is a combination of local and off-island companies who either have a business license, contractor’s license or service license, Ilagan said.
Vice speaker B.J. Cruz is also concerned about Guam not being able to capture all local taxes owed by companies who will do business on Guam because of the military buildup.
Cruz has asked Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo to include language in the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act which would require that each construction contract to designate Guam as the originating site and that all associated income be designated possession source income without any special exemption.
Cruz also asked that the Department of Defense be specifically required to cooperate with tax officials on Guam.
Bordallo responded that she would consider Cruz’s request.
PNC :: Japan's SDP Wants To Move Futemma to Guam
PNC :: Japan's SDP Wants To Move Futemma to Guam
Sunday, 14 February 2010
Guam - Japan's Social Democratic Party plans to include Guam among proposed alternative sites for the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futemma Air Station in Okinawa.
Reports from both the AP and Kyodo news services posted on breitbart.com, say that the SDP will place emphasis on Guam as the destination for most of the base's functions. Party Policy chief Tomoko Abe is quoted as saying "The bases in Guam are big and there are many possible locations."
Another governing coalition partner, the People's New Party, is reportedly proposing integrating Futemma's functions with the nearby U.S. Kadena Air Base.
Read the posting on Breitbart
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D9DR735G0&show_article=1
The two junior coalition partners in the Democratic Party of Japan-led government are set to present their relocation proposals Wednesday to a government committee exploring possible alternative sites for moving Futemma, currently located in the city of Ginowan.
Just last week, Guam Governor Felix Camacho told a visiting Japanese Diet delegation that Guam could not accommodate any more than 8,600 Marines currently being proposed for transfer here from Futenma.
Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has said his government would announce its desired intentions for the Futenma relocation in May.
The U.S. government continues to maintain that the existing plan to move the base to Nagano, which was agreed to by the previous Japanese Government, is the best option.
Written by : Kevin Kerrigan
Sunday, 14 February 2010
Guam - Japan's Social Democratic Party plans to include Guam among proposed alternative sites for the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futemma Air Station in Okinawa.
Reports from both the AP and Kyodo news services posted on breitbart.com, say that the SDP will place emphasis on Guam as the destination for most of the base's functions. Party Policy chief Tomoko Abe is quoted as saying "The bases in Guam are big and there are many possible locations."
Another governing coalition partner, the People's New Party, is reportedly proposing integrating Futemma's functions with the nearby U.S. Kadena Air Base.
Read the posting on Breitbart
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D9DR735G0&show_article=1
The two junior coalition partners in the Democratic Party of Japan-led government are set to present their relocation proposals Wednesday to a government committee exploring possible alternative sites for moving Futemma, currently located in the city of Ginowan.
Just last week, Guam Governor Felix Camacho told a visiting Japanese Diet delegation that Guam could not accommodate any more than 8,600 Marines currently being proposed for transfer here from Futenma.
Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has said his government would announce its desired intentions for the Futenma relocation in May.
The U.S. government continues to maintain that the existing plan to move the base to Nagano, which was agreed to by the previous Japanese Government, is the best option.
Written by : Kevin Kerrigan
Nago mayor rejects new Futenma relocation plan
Nago mayor rejects new Futenma relocation plan
2010/02/14 17:18(JST)
The mayor of Nago, Okinawa Prefecture, has again indicated that he will reject any proposal to relocate the US Futenma Marine Corps Air Station to the city.
Mayor Susumu Inamine was responding to a new proposal by a junior coalition partner, the People's New Party, to build a helicopter runway at the US Camp Schwab in Nago.
The party will present the idea to a government panel on Wednesday along with another proposal to merge Futenma with the US Kadena Air Base, also in Okinawa.
Inamine told NHK that he has consistently opposed building a new military facility anywhere in Nago.
The Nago mayor urged the government to respect the opinions of the people who elected him last month.
He plans to travel to Tokyo this week to ask government officials to give up the idea of relocating the air station to Nago.
Japan and the United States agreed in 2006 to build a runway in a coastal area of Camp Schwab as an alternative to Futenma.
But the current government that took power last year is considering other options, including relocating the air station outside Okinawa.
2010/02/14 17:18(JST)
The mayor of Nago, Okinawa Prefecture, has again indicated that he will reject any proposal to relocate the US Futenma Marine Corps Air Station to the city.
Mayor Susumu Inamine was responding to a new proposal by a junior coalition partner, the People's New Party, to build a helicopter runway at the US Camp Schwab in Nago.
The party will present the idea to a government panel on Wednesday along with another proposal to merge Futenma with the US Kadena Air Base, also in Okinawa.
Inamine told NHK that he has consistently opposed building a new military facility anywhere in Nago.
The Nago mayor urged the government to respect the opinions of the people who elected him last month.
He plans to travel to Tokyo this week to ask government officials to give up the idea of relocating the air station to Nago.
Japan and the United States agreed in 2006 to build a runway in a coastal area of Camp Schwab as an alternative to Futenma.
But the current government that took power last year is considering other options, including relocating the air station outside Okinawa.
Get your DEIS comments in!
Get your DEIS comments in!
Posted: Feb 14, 2010 2:22 PM
Updated: Feb 14, 2010 4:41 PM
by Michele Catahay
Guam - Island residents have until this Thursday to comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Marines' relocation from Okinawa to Guam. Back in 2006 an agreement was signed between Japan and the United States to move a portion of the U.S. Marine Corps Station in Okinawa to Guam. The plan would essentially transform the island in the Western Pacific into a giant arm of the Department of Defense.
According to the DoD's DEIS, by 2014 the island is anticipated to see its population of roughly 150,000 people increase significantly to 230,000 at its peak. That's an increase of 80,000 people within four years. The EIS outlines alternatives to develops and construct facilities and infrastructure to support the move. It also evaluates the impact of a new deep draft wharf to support a transient nuclear powered aircraft carrier.
The EIS also explores the impact of plans by the Army to develop facilities and infrastructure to operate a missile defense system. This would include relocating approximately 600 military personnel and their 900 dependents to Guam. While the island has until this Thursday to comment, the Guam Boonie Stompers along with the We Are Guahan Coalition hosted a clean up in Pagat, which happens to be one of the areas proposed to build a firing range for training.
Guam Boonie Stompers president David Lotz said his organization, "has a petition drive to submit to the buildup DEIS to keep these trails open, and I feel that's important for the community and even for the military to work towards preserving the island's heritage...if you look at the Quadrennial Defense Review, it actually says it's going to transform the island into a military base and it has to be very seriously looked at. Who is really going to control the future of the island? Is it the military or the people of guam?"
Yona resident Ulysses Story says negative impacts outweigh the positive ones for the island, saying, "To me, I think its traffic and another thing is racism. I mean, people, I think Chamorro people like to preserve their culture and bringing in people that are trying to assimilate them but they don't want to so I think it'll cause some conflict on racism."
Chalan Pago resident Ida San Nicolas says she's in support of the buildup, saying the military has a strong ability to help boast the local economy. "My child is 16 and it is his generation that it affects. My son has confronted me about it, and he has some issues with it but for me, we should let them speak also not just us and just saying what we think. All the jobs are for them and that's what I like is to be able to have some jobs," said San Nicolas.
Mangilao resident Aphea Imperial says while there may be some environmental impacts noted in the DEIS, she says the buildup will provide more opportunities for the island community, noting, "There are a lot of opportunities for the community like there are going to be a lot of jobs but there are also bad sides to it like our ecosystems, and it's just going to be overpopulated and guam is so small and i think it's good. i see military people and they help out a lot."
Again, you have until this Thursday to comment on the Draft EIS. To view the voluminous document, log on to GuamBuildupEIS.us.
Posted: Feb 14, 2010 2:22 PM
Updated: Feb 14, 2010 4:41 PM
by Michele Catahay
Guam - Island residents have until this Thursday to comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Marines' relocation from Okinawa to Guam. Back in 2006 an agreement was signed between Japan and the United States to move a portion of the U.S. Marine Corps Station in Okinawa to Guam. The plan would essentially transform the island in the Western Pacific into a giant arm of the Department of Defense.
According to the DoD's DEIS, by 2014 the island is anticipated to see its population of roughly 150,000 people increase significantly to 230,000 at its peak. That's an increase of 80,000 people within four years. The EIS outlines alternatives to develops and construct facilities and infrastructure to support the move. It also evaluates the impact of a new deep draft wharf to support a transient nuclear powered aircraft carrier.
The EIS also explores the impact of plans by the Army to develop facilities and infrastructure to operate a missile defense system. This would include relocating approximately 600 military personnel and their 900 dependents to Guam. While the island has until this Thursday to comment, the Guam Boonie Stompers along with the We Are Guahan Coalition hosted a clean up in Pagat, which happens to be one of the areas proposed to build a firing range for training.
Guam Boonie Stompers president David Lotz said his organization, "has a petition drive to submit to the buildup DEIS to keep these trails open, and I feel that's important for the community and even for the military to work towards preserving the island's heritage...if you look at the Quadrennial Defense Review, it actually says it's going to transform the island into a military base and it has to be very seriously looked at. Who is really going to control the future of the island? Is it the military or the people of guam?"
Yona resident Ulysses Story says negative impacts outweigh the positive ones for the island, saying, "To me, I think its traffic and another thing is racism. I mean, people, I think Chamorro people like to preserve their culture and bringing in people that are trying to assimilate them but they don't want to so I think it'll cause some conflict on racism."
Chalan Pago resident Ida San Nicolas says she's in support of the buildup, saying the military has a strong ability to help boast the local economy. "My child is 16 and it is his generation that it affects. My son has confronted me about it, and he has some issues with it but for me, we should let them speak also not just us and just saying what we think. All the jobs are for them and that's what I like is to be able to have some jobs," said San Nicolas.
Mangilao resident Aphea Imperial says while there may be some environmental impacts noted in the DEIS, she says the buildup will provide more opportunities for the island community, noting, "There are a lot of opportunities for the community like there are going to be a lot of jobs but there are also bad sides to it like our ecosystems, and it's just going to be overpopulated and guam is so small and i think it's good. i see military people and they help out a lot."
Again, you have until this Thursday to comment on the Draft EIS. To view the voluminous document, log on to GuamBuildupEIS.us.
SDP to seek moving Futemma to Guam, PNP eyes integration with Kadena
SDP to seek moving Futemma to Guam, PNP eyes integration with Kadena
Feb 13 04:32 AM US/Eastern
TOKYO, Feb. 13 (AP) - (Kyodo) — The Social Democratic Party plans to include Guam among proposed alternative sites for the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futemma Air Station in Okinawa, while the People's New Party is eyeing integrating Futemma's functions with the nearby U.S. Kadena Air Base among other options, party members said Saturday.
The two junior coalition partners in the Democratic Party of Japan-led government are set to present their relocation proposals Wednesday to a government committee exploring possible alternative sites for moving Futemma, currently located in the city of Ginowan.
The proposals, however, are unlikely to aid the Japanese government in achieving its target of finalizing an alternative site by May as both ideas have been floated in the past but were seen as difficult to realize.
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has set the target, although the U.S. government has maintained that an existing plan, agreed with Japan in to move the Futemma facility to the coastal area of the Henoko district in Nago, a less populated city in Okinawa, is the best option.
Among a number of proposals that it plans to present, the SDP, which has called for Futemma to be moved out of Okinawa or abroad, will place emphasis on Guam as the destination for most of the base's functions, with party policy chief Tomoko Abe saying, "The bases in Guam are big and there are many possible locations."
Although Guam Gov. Felix Camacho has expressed a negative view about relocating the functions to the U.S. territory, the SDP believes such a move would be accepted by residents of Guam if the infrastructure there were improved to enable it, according to the party members.
In addition, the party is considering an Air Self-Defense Force base in Nagasaki Prefecture and Saga airport in neighboring Saga Prefecture among other prospective relocation sites, but many SDP lawmakers remain cautious about proposing an alternative location within Japan, the members said.
Meanwhile, the PNP plans to present a set of proposals centering on the idea of integrating Futemma's functions with the U.S. Air Force's Kadena base and moving some of the training activities there to other parts of Japan, the PNP members said.
The proposal would entail moving some F-15 fighter drills at Kadena to the U.S. Misawa Air Base in Aomori Prefecture and some other exercises to civilian airports including Kansai International Airport in Osaka Prefecture, they said.
"We will also work on reducing noise pollution for residents near Kadena," said Mikio Shimoji, the PNP's policy chief.
The party is also exploring the possibility of including Saipan and Tinian in the Northern Mariana Islands as candidate sites for some of the exercises.
Some members of the Japanese government committee studying alternative sites for the relocation of Futemma, including Abe and Shimoji, have recently made inspection trips to places such as Guam and Tinian Island.
The transfer of about 8,000 Marines from Okinawa to Guam is planned under the 2006 Japan-U.S. agreement on the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan and is linked to the completion by 2014 of a new facility in Nago to take over Futemma's heliport functions.
Feb 13 04:32 AM US/Eastern
TOKYO, Feb. 13 (AP) - (Kyodo) — The Social Democratic Party plans to include Guam among proposed alternative sites for the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futemma Air Station in Okinawa, while the People's New Party is eyeing integrating Futemma's functions with the nearby U.S. Kadena Air Base among other options, party members said Saturday.
The two junior coalition partners in the Democratic Party of Japan-led government are set to present their relocation proposals Wednesday to a government committee exploring possible alternative sites for moving Futemma, currently located in the city of Ginowan.
The proposals, however, are unlikely to aid the Japanese government in achieving its target of finalizing an alternative site by May as both ideas have been floated in the past but were seen as difficult to realize.
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has set the target, although the U.S. government has maintained that an existing plan, agreed with Japan in to move the Futemma facility to the coastal area of the Henoko district in Nago, a less populated city in Okinawa, is the best option.
Among a number of proposals that it plans to present, the SDP, which has called for Futemma to be moved out of Okinawa or abroad, will place emphasis on Guam as the destination for most of the base's functions, with party policy chief Tomoko Abe saying, "The bases in Guam are big and there are many possible locations."
Although Guam Gov. Felix Camacho has expressed a negative view about relocating the functions to the U.S. territory, the SDP believes such a move would be accepted by residents of Guam if the infrastructure there were improved to enable it, according to the party members.
In addition, the party is considering an Air Self-Defense Force base in Nagasaki Prefecture and Saga airport in neighboring Saga Prefecture among other prospective relocation sites, but many SDP lawmakers remain cautious about proposing an alternative location within Japan, the members said.
Meanwhile, the PNP plans to present a set of proposals centering on the idea of integrating Futemma's functions with the U.S. Air Force's Kadena base and moving some of the training activities there to other parts of Japan, the PNP members said.
The proposal would entail moving some F-15 fighter drills at Kadena to the U.S. Misawa Air Base in Aomori Prefecture and some other exercises to civilian airports including Kansai International Airport in Osaka Prefecture, they said.
"We will also work on reducing noise pollution for residents near Kadena," said Mikio Shimoji, the PNP's policy chief.
The party is also exploring the possibility of including Saipan and Tinian in the Northern Mariana Islands as candidate sites for some of the exercises.
Some members of the Japanese government committee studying alternative sites for the relocation of Futemma, including Abe and Shimoji, have recently made inspection trips to places such as Guam and Tinian Island.
The transfer of about 8,000 Marines from Okinawa to Guam is planned under the 2006 Japan-U.S. agreement on the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan and is linked to the completion by 2014 of a new facility in Nago to take over Futemma's heliport functions.
We Are Guahan leading Pagat cleanup
We Are Guahan leading Pagat cleanup
Posted: Feb 12, 2010 6:18 PM PST
by Michele Catahay
Guam - The We Are Guahan Coalition is inviting the public to take part in a cleanup for Valentines Day tomorrow at the Pagat Caves in Mangilao. Coalition member Victoria "Lola" Leon Guerrero says because it's a day to celebrate love, the group decided to show to others how much they love their land and that cleaning it up will benefit the people of Guam.
The organization is partnering up with the Guam Boonie Stompers. "We really are doing this in direct response to a quote from a JGPO official that says if they put a firing range there, that they will actually clean up the site and we want to show them that we can clean up our own land and that we don't want Pagat to turn into a firing range and we want to appreciate the ancient Chamorro villages, the fresh water caves and that's also what we'll be doing tomorrow as well. After the clean up, everyone that shows up we'll go down to the caves and swim and just enjoy the beauty of the area and pay tribute to the historic significance of it."
The group is scheduled to meet at the trail at the back road to Andersen AFB at around 9am tomorrow morning.
Posted: Feb 12, 2010 6:18 PM PST
by Michele Catahay
Guam - The We Are Guahan Coalition is inviting the public to take part in a cleanup for Valentines Day tomorrow at the Pagat Caves in Mangilao. Coalition member Victoria "Lola" Leon Guerrero says because it's a day to celebrate love, the group decided to show to others how much they love their land and that cleaning it up will benefit the people of Guam.
The organization is partnering up with the Guam Boonie Stompers. "We really are doing this in direct response to a quote from a JGPO official that says if they put a firing range there, that they will actually clean up the site and we want to show them that we can clean up our own land and that we don't want Pagat to turn into a firing range and we want to appreciate the ancient Chamorro villages, the fresh water caves and that's also what we'll be doing tomorrow as well. After the clean up, everyone that shows up we'll go down to the caves and swim and just enjoy the beauty of the area and pay tribute to the historic significance of it."
The group is scheduled to meet at the trail at the back road to Andersen AFB at around 9am tomorrow morning.
Bordallo urged to push buildup resolution
Bordallo urged to push buildup resolution
By Dionesis Tamondong • Pacific Daily News • February 13, 2010
With the unanimous approval of Resolution 275, Sen. Frank Blas Jr. reminded Delegate Madeleine Bordallo of her promise to support and represent to Congress the many issues listed in the measure.
The resolution, which the Legislature approved on Thursday, raises many issues concerning the draft Environmental Impact Statement and the impact of the military's buildup plans on Guam.
Resolution 275 also urges Congress to address long-standing local issues, including war reparations, Compact-impact reimbursement, the removal of Medicaid funding caps and unreturned ancestral land.
"In light of your commitment to represent the position of the Legislature on behalf of the people of Guam as contained in Resolution 275 to members of both the House and Senate, I thank you for this promise and look forward to your introduction of measures that would address our concerns and also provide resolution to our long-standing issues," Blas wrote in a letter sent to her office yesterday afternoon.
The letter was just one of several sent by local senators to Bordallo's office this past week.
Foreign workers
Vice Speaker Benjamin Cruz, in a series of letters, called on Bordallo to reconsider her position on allowing the use of foreign workers on buildup-related construction projects.
Cruz cited estimates in the draft EIS report that H-2 workers will spend about 20 percent of their income in the local economy, while workers hired locally are estimated to spend 45 percent of their income here.
"Based on the (Department of Defense's) anticipated expenditures from 2010 through 2016, local workers are expected to infuse about $471 million into Guam's economy, while H-2 workers are anticipated to infuse about $294 million," Cruz said in his letter.
He said the decision to use H-2 workers represents a loss of hundreds of millions of dollars that otherwise would've contributed to Guam's economy.
Bordallo's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent to her office Thursday.
Though Guam is exempt from the national annual cap on the hiring of foreign workers, the labor regulations require employers to hire local workers first.
For example, before employers file an application, they have to put out an advertisement and make efforts to recruit locally before applying to Guam's Department of Labor to hire foreign labor.
The Guam Contractors Association Trades Academy continues to train and prepare residents for thousands of construction jobs anticipated with the buildup.
But officials have said companies still will have to hire from off island because there aren't enough skilled construction workers to hire locally.
By Dionesis Tamondong • Pacific Daily News • February 13, 2010
With the unanimous approval of Resolution 275, Sen. Frank Blas Jr. reminded Delegate Madeleine Bordallo of her promise to support and represent to Congress the many issues listed in the measure.
The resolution, which the Legislature approved on Thursday, raises many issues concerning the draft Environmental Impact Statement and the impact of the military's buildup plans on Guam.
Resolution 275 also urges Congress to address long-standing local issues, including war reparations, Compact-impact reimbursement, the removal of Medicaid funding caps and unreturned ancestral land.
"In light of your commitment to represent the position of the Legislature on behalf of the people of Guam as contained in Resolution 275 to members of both the House and Senate, I thank you for this promise and look forward to your introduction of measures that would address our concerns and also provide resolution to our long-standing issues," Blas wrote in a letter sent to her office yesterday afternoon.
The letter was just one of several sent by local senators to Bordallo's office this past week.
Foreign workers
Vice Speaker Benjamin Cruz, in a series of letters, called on Bordallo to reconsider her position on allowing the use of foreign workers on buildup-related construction projects.
Cruz cited estimates in the draft EIS report that H-2 workers will spend about 20 percent of their income in the local economy, while workers hired locally are estimated to spend 45 percent of their income here.
"Based on the (Department of Defense's) anticipated expenditures from 2010 through 2016, local workers are expected to infuse about $471 million into Guam's economy, while H-2 workers are anticipated to infuse about $294 million," Cruz said in his letter.
He said the decision to use H-2 workers represents a loss of hundreds of millions of dollars that otherwise would've contributed to Guam's economy.
Bordallo's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent to her office Thursday.
Though Guam is exempt from the national annual cap on the hiring of foreign workers, the labor regulations require employers to hire local workers first.
For example, before employers file an application, they have to put out an advertisement and make efforts to recruit locally before applying to Guam's Department of Labor to hire foreign labor.
The Guam Contractors Association Trades Academy continues to train and prepare residents for thousands of construction jobs anticipated with the buildup.
But officials have said companies still will have to hire from off island because there aren't enough skilled construction workers to hire locally.
PNC :: Resolution Calls DEIS "Grossly Flawed"
PNC :: Resolution Calls DEIS "Grossly Flawed"
Friday, 12 February 2010
Guam - Resolution 275 calls the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the planned military buildup, "grossly flawed."
The resolution details the legislatures objections to the impact of the military buildup and provides a list of "essential elements," un-related to the buildup, "that must be favorably resolved."
The list includes the right to self determination, the return of ancestral lands, war reparations and other issues.
Read Resolution 275
http://www.pacificnewscenter.com/images/pdf/resforobama.pdf
The resolution will be taken to Washington D.C. next month by a group of Guam Senators who hope to be able to present it to the U.S. Congress and President Obama.
Written by : Kevin Kerrigan
Friday, 12 February 2010
Guam - Resolution 275 calls the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the planned military buildup, "grossly flawed."
The resolution details the legislatures objections to the impact of the military buildup and provides a list of "essential elements," un-related to the buildup, "that must be favorably resolved."
The list includes the right to self determination, the return of ancestral lands, war reparations and other issues.
Read Resolution 275
http://www.pacificnewscenter.com/images/pdf/resforobama.pdf
The resolution will be taken to Washington D.C. next month by a group of Guam Senators who hope to be able to present it to the U.S. Congress and President Obama.
Written by : Kevin Kerrigan
Defense chief negative on Futemma relocation to Tinian
Defense chief negative on Futemma relocation to Tinian
Feb 12 12:36 AM US/Eastern
TOKYO, Feb. 12 (AP) - (Kyodo) — Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa on Friday downplayed the idea of relocating a U.S. Marine airfield in Okinawa, Japan's southernmost prefecture, to Tinian in the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. commonwealth.
"As Prime Minister (Yukio Hatoyama) strongly intends to solve the (relocation) issue by May, it is really difficult," Kitazawa told a press conference on the possibility of considering Tinian as a candidate site for the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futemma Air Station.
On Wednesday, Tinian Mayor Ramon M. Dela Cruz told Kyodo News that Tinian can accept the Marine units.
The commonwealth governor, Benigno Fitial, also told a group of Japanese ruling coalition lawmakers who visited Saipan on Wednesday that the Northern Marianas is willing to host the full functions of the Futemma base as it will "invite the economic benefit" in terms of employment and land rent.
Kitazawa said, however, the views of the U.S. military on the relocation issue are important and that discussions are expected to take place on whether the necessary deterrence can be maintained in the Asia-Pacific region if all the Marine functions in Okinawa are transferred to Tinian.
"Such discussions will likely drag on, making it difficult for us (to reach the final decision) in May," the minister said. He added that Futemma's relocation to the Northern Mariana Islands could be considered as a "long-term issue."
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano, who leads a government task force on the matter, also expressed little enthusiasm for the idea of relocating Futemma to the area, saying that the task force has never discussed it before.
"I am not aware of the idea as it came up so suddenly," the top government spokesman said at a separate press conference.
Hatoyama has said that Japan will reach a final conclusion by the end of May on where it wants to see the Futemma facility relocated, and a government committee has been exploring possible candidate sites.
Washington maintains that a plan agreed upon by Japan and the United States in 2006 to move the Futemma base to a less densely populated part of Okinawa is the best option.
Feb 12 12:36 AM US/Eastern
TOKYO, Feb. 12 (AP) - (Kyodo) — Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa on Friday downplayed the idea of relocating a U.S. Marine airfield in Okinawa, Japan's southernmost prefecture, to Tinian in the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. commonwealth.
"As Prime Minister (Yukio Hatoyama) strongly intends to solve the (relocation) issue by May, it is really difficult," Kitazawa told a press conference on the possibility of considering Tinian as a candidate site for the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futemma Air Station.
On Wednesday, Tinian Mayor Ramon M. Dela Cruz told Kyodo News that Tinian can accept the Marine units.
The commonwealth governor, Benigno Fitial, also told a group of Japanese ruling coalition lawmakers who visited Saipan on Wednesday that the Northern Marianas is willing to host the full functions of the Futemma base as it will "invite the economic benefit" in terms of employment and land rent.
Kitazawa said, however, the views of the U.S. military on the relocation issue are important and that discussions are expected to take place on whether the necessary deterrence can be maintained in the Asia-Pacific region if all the Marine functions in Okinawa are transferred to Tinian.
"Such discussions will likely drag on, making it difficult for us (to reach the final decision) in May," the minister said. He added that Futemma's relocation to the Northern Mariana Islands could be considered as a "long-term issue."
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano, who leads a government task force on the matter, also expressed little enthusiasm for the idea of relocating Futemma to the area, saying that the task force has never discussed it before.
"I am not aware of the idea as it came up so suddenly," the top government spokesman said at a separate press conference.
Hatoyama has said that Japan will reach a final conclusion by the end of May on where it wants to see the Futemma facility relocated, and a government committee has been exploring possible candidate sites.
Washington maintains that a plan agreed upon by Japan and the United States in 2006 to move the Futemma base to a less densely populated part of Okinawa is the best option.
No more troops
No more troops
Friday, 12 February 2010 03:52
by Therese Hart | Variety News Staff
Japanese officials given copy of ‘sentiment’ resolution
LAWMAKERS yesterday unanimously passed a resolution that reiterates the island residents’ sentiments on the military’s draft environmental impact statement, which they consider “grossly flawed.”
Visiting members of Japan’s House of Representatives assured senators that there will be no additional troops that will be deployed to Guam beyond the number originally agreed upon between The United States and Japan.
Senator Rory Respicio, author of Resolution 275, described the legislature’s action as a tremendous victory for the people of Guam. He said the resolution reflects months of input based on the review of the draft impact report.
“The legislature’s approach to this military buildup is that we have to represent the people’s feelings on this matter,” said the lawmaker.
Respicio said Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo has made a commitment to represent the legislature’s position, which reflects the sentiments of the people.
Respicio hopes for Gov. Felix Camacho’s support for the resolution and to give his commitment as well.
Two members of Japan’s Diet, Mikio Shimoji of the People’s New Party and Tomoko Abe of the Social Democrat Party, made a brief stop at the legislature during yesterday’s session. The resolution was presented to the two Japanese lawmakers.
“What we saw today, we don’t think that there’s enough capacity for more forces because of the infrastructure situation in Guam,” Shimoji said through an interpreter. “And considering the sentiments and motivations of the people of Guam, at this point, there cannot be additional forces from Japan.”
Shimoji also said that the United States and Japan must both share equal responsibility for the buildup. He said when he returns to Japan, he and other members of the delegation will share with their colleagues the sentiments of Guam residents about the buildup.
Committeewoman on the Guam Military Buildup, Sen. Judi Guthertz said that
“The people of Guam should be proud of the legislature for standing up for them and for trying to make certain that this buildup will not be one sided but that it will benefit everyone who calls Guam home now and in the future,” said Sen. Judi Guthertz, chairman of the military buildup committee.
Guthertz said that was the goal of lawmakers when they drafted the resolution. “I encourage the people of Guam to read the resolution so that they can see what the legislature said and what we’re trying to accomplish,” said the lawmaker.
Speaker Judi Won Pat said the resolution is a very significant piece of document that would change Japan’s impression of Guam’s position on the military buildup.
Japanese Diet members told Won Pat that they were always under the impression, three to four years ago, that 80 to 90 percent of Guam residents were in favor of the buildup. “That was the story they were given,” Won Pat said.
They were very curious to find what the true sentiments were and this is why they made the effort to visit the Guam Legislature when they learned that Resolution 275 was being heard regarding the buildup.
“We told them that it will contain the sentiments of the people, and that to them was far more important—that they know what the military side of the story is, and they wanted to know the people of Guam’s story, too,” said the speaker.
Won Pat said members of the Japanese Diet were very humble when they acknowledged that Japan has an equal responsibility as the United States in terms of the Marines’ relocation as stated in the U.S. and Japan agreement.
“To us, this speaks volumes because this is the first time any government has ever said that—admitting that share in the responsibility,” said Won Pat.
The delegation left Guam yesterday afternoon.
Friday, 12 February 2010 03:52
by Therese Hart | Variety News Staff
Japanese officials given copy of ‘sentiment’ resolution
LAWMAKERS yesterday unanimously passed a resolution that reiterates the island residents’ sentiments on the military’s draft environmental impact statement, which they consider “grossly flawed.”
Visiting members of Japan’s House of Representatives assured senators that there will be no additional troops that will be deployed to Guam beyond the number originally agreed upon between The United States and Japan.
Senator Rory Respicio, author of Resolution 275, described the legislature’s action as a tremendous victory for the people of Guam. He said the resolution reflects months of input based on the review of the draft impact report.
“The legislature’s approach to this military buildup is that we have to represent the people’s feelings on this matter,” said the lawmaker.
Respicio said Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo has made a commitment to represent the legislature’s position, which reflects the sentiments of the people.
Respicio hopes for Gov. Felix Camacho’s support for the resolution and to give his commitment as well.
Two members of Japan’s Diet, Mikio Shimoji of the People’s New Party and Tomoko Abe of the Social Democrat Party, made a brief stop at the legislature during yesterday’s session. The resolution was presented to the two Japanese lawmakers.
“What we saw today, we don’t think that there’s enough capacity for more forces because of the infrastructure situation in Guam,” Shimoji said through an interpreter. “And considering the sentiments and motivations of the people of Guam, at this point, there cannot be additional forces from Japan.”
Shimoji also said that the United States and Japan must both share equal responsibility for the buildup. He said when he returns to Japan, he and other members of the delegation will share with their colleagues the sentiments of Guam residents about the buildup.
Committeewoman on the Guam Military Buildup, Sen. Judi Guthertz said that
“The people of Guam should be proud of the legislature for standing up for them and for trying to make certain that this buildup will not be one sided but that it will benefit everyone who calls Guam home now and in the future,” said Sen. Judi Guthertz, chairman of the military buildup committee.
Guthertz said that was the goal of lawmakers when they drafted the resolution. “I encourage the people of Guam to read the resolution so that they can see what the legislature said and what we’re trying to accomplish,” said the lawmaker.
Speaker Judi Won Pat said the resolution is a very significant piece of document that would change Japan’s impression of Guam’s position on the military buildup.
Japanese Diet members told Won Pat that they were always under the impression, three to four years ago, that 80 to 90 percent of Guam residents were in favor of the buildup. “That was the story they were given,” Won Pat said.
They were very curious to find what the true sentiments were and this is why they made the effort to visit the Guam Legislature when they learned that Resolution 275 was being heard regarding the buildup.
“We told them that it will contain the sentiments of the people, and that to them was far more important—that they know what the military side of the story is, and they wanted to know the people of Guam’s story, too,” said the speaker.
Won Pat said members of the Japanese Diet were very humble when they acknowledged that Japan has an equal responsibility as the United States in terms of the Marines’ relocation as stated in the U.S. and Japan agreement.
“To us, this speaks volumes because this is the first time any government has ever said that—admitting that share in the responsibility,” said Won Pat.
The delegation left Guam yesterday afternoon.
‘Guam can’t be new Okinawa’
‘Guam can’t be new Okinawa’
Friday, 12 February 2010 03:51
by Therese Hart | Variety News Staff
GOVERNOR Felix Camacho met with a Japanese delegation yesterday that flew to Guam on a fact finding mission which included a tour of the military bases.
Camacho, who was joined by CNMI Gov. Benigno Fitial, shared with the delegation that Guam would not be able to accommodate additional troops than what was originally agreed by transferring all the troops from Futenma Air Base to Guam.
“I’ve said this before to the Secretary of Defense and the government of Japan and again reiterated here that Guam is not a replacement for Okinawa and I know they understand that,” said Camacho.
The governor said that with the proposed 8,000 Marines and an additional number for missile defense that that number was more than sufficient for Guam to handle.
“We have restrictions and limitations based on our land capability and our resources and our capacity,” said Camacho.
Fitial said that the delegation was interested to know if the CNMI would be receptive to the idea of accommodating troops to the island of Tinian, if a decision was made and there was the need to move the rest of the Marines from Futenma to Guam.
Fitial said that he told the delegation that he would welcome 4,000 Marines to the island of Tinian. (See related story on page 15.)
“I told them, welcome, because I know that my brother, (gesturing to Gov. Camacho), cannot accommodate them, and I told them that we’re trying to reunite the Marianas. Guam has lands to offer, we have islands,” said the CNMI governor.
Camacho said that between the U.S. military and the Japanese delegation, there is a true understanding of the alliance between Japan and the United States.
“It’s bringing that presence and deterrence from any threats to the region; we’ll all benefit from it. The Japanese leadership is extremely vital and important in this entire matter. And they also recognize now that commitments have been made between the nations. We are the host islands and there’s got to be due consideration for the burden it places in our community,” said Camacho.
Camacho said the delegation recognized that Guam does have its limitations.
“They recognize that 40,000 troops in all of Japan whether they be sailors, airman, Marines—75 percent of those are in Okinawa, which represents, I believe only roughly six percent of the total land mass. So there’s a disproportionate number of troops in Okinawa and that’s been a heavy burden on them.”
Camacho said there is a possibility of moving all the troops out of Okinawa and disbursing them throughout Japan.
“They at first thought about Guam and the Northern Marianas but now realize that we don’t have the capacity to accommodate that, nor can Guam replicate or replace Okinawa,” said Camacho.
Friday, 12 February 2010 03:51
by Therese Hart | Variety News Staff
GOVERNOR Felix Camacho met with a Japanese delegation yesterday that flew to Guam on a fact finding mission which included a tour of the military bases.
Camacho, who was joined by CNMI Gov. Benigno Fitial, shared with the delegation that Guam would not be able to accommodate additional troops than what was originally agreed by transferring all the troops from Futenma Air Base to Guam.
“I’ve said this before to the Secretary of Defense and the government of Japan and again reiterated here that Guam is not a replacement for Okinawa and I know they understand that,” said Camacho.
The governor said that with the proposed 8,000 Marines and an additional number for missile defense that that number was more than sufficient for Guam to handle.
“We have restrictions and limitations based on our land capability and our resources and our capacity,” said Camacho.
Fitial said that the delegation was interested to know if the CNMI would be receptive to the idea of accommodating troops to the island of Tinian, if a decision was made and there was the need to move the rest of the Marines from Futenma to Guam.
Fitial said that he told the delegation that he would welcome 4,000 Marines to the island of Tinian. (See related story on page 15.)
“I told them, welcome, because I know that my brother, (gesturing to Gov. Camacho), cannot accommodate them, and I told them that we’re trying to reunite the Marianas. Guam has lands to offer, we have islands,” said the CNMI governor.
Camacho said that between the U.S. military and the Japanese delegation, there is a true understanding of the alliance between Japan and the United States.
“It’s bringing that presence and deterrence from any threats to the region; we’ll all benefit from it. The Japanese leadership is extremely vital and important in this entire matter. And they also recognize now that commitments have been made between the nations. We are the host islands and there’s got to be due consideration for the burden it places in our community,” said Camacho.
Camacho said the delegation recognized that Guam does have its limitations.
“They recognize that 40,000 troops in all of Japan whether they be sailors, airman, Marines—75 percent of those are in Okinawa, which represents, I believe only roughly six percent of the total land mass. So there’s a disproportionate number of troops in Okinawa and that’s been a heavy burden on them.”
Camacho said there is a possibility of moving all the troops out of Okinawa and disbursing them throughout Japan.
“They at first thought about Guam and the Northern Marianas but now realize that we don’t have the capacity to accommodate that, nor can Guam replicate or replace Okinawa,” said Camacho.
Guthertz: DEIS planners didn’t do their homework
Guthertz: DEIS planners didn’t do their homework
Friday, 12 February 2010 03:45
Variety News Staff
(Legislature) -- Senator Judith P. Guthertz has added to four earlier comment papers on the draft environmental impact statement on the military buildup with a lengthy list of errors in the draft study and numerous recommendations “to establish goodwill and trust of the people of Guam for the buildup and mitigate the sociocultural impacts” of the buildup.
Guthertz has frequently said that a “two-Guams outcome, in which military members inside the fenceline would live in the first world while Guam residents outside live in third world squalor would not be acceptable. She noted that elaborate recreational and educational facilities planned for the bases should not be located deep inside the bases with no access to the Guam public.
As one of her basic complaints about the draft impact report, Guthertz asks where the numbers of 8,600 Marines and 2,000 transient Marines to be relocated here came from. The draft cites no source for the numbers.
Guthertz points out that portions of the study contain a variety of errors in describing Guam history and its present government. One particular howler concerns World War II. “The Navy’s administration of Guam was disrupted during WWII, when in 1941, following the invasion of Pearl Harbor, Japanese military forces bombed Guam.”
“Every American should know that the Japanese did not invade Pearl Harbor,” Guthertz said.
On another issue that is sure to come up with the arrival of the Marine contingent, Guthertz said the military should settle its differences over drinking ages. Sailors on the Navy Base must be 21, while airmen at Andersen AFB can drink at 18. Given that Guam’s drinking age is 18 and unlikely to change, the stage is set for problems when Navy and Marine personnel spend time off base.
Friday, 12 February 2010 03:45
Variety News Staff
(Legislature) -- Senator Judith P. Guthertz has added to four earlier comment papers on the draft environmental impact statement on the military buildup with a lengthy list of errors in the draft study and numerous recommendations “to establish goodwill and trust of the people of Guam for the buildup and mitigate the sociocultural impacts” of the buildup.
Guthertz has frequently said that a “two-Guams outcome, in which military members inside the fenceline would live in the first world while Guam residents outside live in third world squalor would not be acceptable. She noted that elaborate recreational and educational facilities planned for the bases should not be located deep inside the bases with no access to the Guam public.
As one of her basic complaints about the draft impact report, Guthertz asks where the numbers of 8,600 Marines and 2,000 transient Marines to be relocated here came from. The draft cites no source for the numbers.
Guthertz points out that portions of the study contain a variety of errors in describing Guam history and its present government. One particular howler concerns World War II. “The Navy’s administration of Guam was disrupted during WWII, when in 1941, following the invasion of Pearl Harbor, Japanese military forces bombed Guam.”
“Every American should know that the Japanese did not invade Pearl Harbor,” Guthertz said.
On another issue that is sure to come up with the arrival of the Marine contingent, Guthertz said the military should settle its differences over drinking ages. Sailors on the Navy Base must be 21, while airmen at Andersen AFB can drink at 18. Given that Guam’s drinking age is 18 and unlikely to change, the stage is set for problems when Navy and Marine personnel spend time off base.
Guam refuses to accept any more US Marines
Guam refuses to accept any more US Marines
2010/02/11 22:10(JST)
The governor of Guam is ruling out the possibility of relocating the US Futenma air station in Okinawa to the island. Japan's ruling coalition is searching for an alternative site for the US base, possibly outside congested Okinawa Island.
Governor Felix Camacho met members of a Japanese government panel dealing with the relocation issue on Thursday. They include Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yorihisa Matsuno and junior coalition Social Democratic Party's policy council chief, Tomoko Abe.
The group outlined their studies on the issue, and explained that the Social Democratic Party has named Guam as a candidate site for the relocation of the Marine Corps air station.
In response, Camacho said the island cannot accept more US troops than is currently planned.
He said the majority of Guam residents are ready to accept eight-thousand US marines from Okinawa in line with an agreement made between the United States and Japan. But beyond that, he said the development of the island's social infrastructure would not be able to keep up with a sharp rise in population.
The government panel members also visited Andersen Air Force Base, where a Marine Corps helicopter unit in Okinawa is to be transferred.
Abe later told reporters that there is still a chance that the relocation may take place if Guam's concerns about infrastructure can be addressed. She added her party will continue to propose Guam as a candidate site.
2010/02/11 22:10(JST)
The governor of Guam is ruling out the possibility of relocating the US Futenma air station in Okinawa to the island. Japan's ruling coalition is searching for an alternative site for the US base, possibly outside congested Okinawa Island.
Governor Felix Camacho met members of a Japanese government panel dealing with the relocation issue on Thursday. They include Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yorihisa Matsuno and junior coalition Social Democratic Party's policy council chief, Tomoko Abe.
The group outlined their studies on the issue, and explained that the Social Democratic Party has named Guam as a candidate site for the relocation of the Marine Corps air station.
In response, Camacho said the island cannot accept more US troops than is currently planned.
He said the majority of Guam residents are ready to accept eight-thousand US marines from Okinawa in line with an agreement made between the United States and Japan. But beyond that, he said the development of the island's social infrastructure would not be able to keep up with a sharp rise in population.
The government panel members also visited Andersen Air Force Base, where a Marine Corps helicopter unit in Okinawa is to be transferred.
Abe later told reporters that there is still a chance that the relocation may take place if Guam's concerns about infrastructure can be addressed. She added her party will continue to propose Guam as a candidate site.
Guam gov. negative on having more Marines from Okinawa than agreed
Guam gov. negative on having more Marines from Okinawa than agreed
Feb 11 07:08 AM US/Eastern
GUAM, Feb. 11 (AP) - (Kyodo) — Governor of Guam Felix Camacho on Thursday told visiting Japanese lawmakers that he is against accepting more than the agreed number of U.S. Marines from Okinawa to the Pacific island.
The lawmakers from Japan's ruling coalition government were on a fact- finding visit to Guam as part of their efforts to explore possible alternatives for the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futemma Air Station in Okinawa.
Under a 2006 Japan-U.S. agreement on the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan, about 8,000 Marines are to be transferred to Guam from Okinawa.
The Japanese government sent the lawmakers, who are members of a government panel on the Futemma relocation issue, to the island to see U.S. military bases there.
The Social Democratic Party, one of the two junior partners in the Democratic Party of Japan-led government, has been looking at Guam as a possible relocation site.
Northern Mariana Islands Governor Benigno Fitial was present at the meeting between Camacho and the Japanese lawmakers, according to Japanese officials. Fitial has expressed a positive view about accepting the Futemma Air Station functions to the islands.
Feb 11 07:08 AM US/Eastern
GUAM, Feb. 11 (AP) - (Kyodo) — Governor of Guam Felix Camacho on Thursday told visiting Japanese lawmakers that he is against accepting more than the agreed number of U.S. Marines from Okinawa to the Pacific island.
The lawmakers from Japan's ruling coalition government were on a fact- finding visit to Guam as part of their efforts to explore possible alternatives for the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futemma Air Station in Okinawa.
Under a 2006 Japan-U.S. agreement on the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan, about 8,000 Marines are to be transferred to Guam from Okinawa.
The Japanese government sent the lawmakers, who are members of a government panel on the Futemma relocation issue, to the island to see U.S. military bases there.
The Social Democratic Party, one of the two junior partners in the Democratic Party of Japan-led government, has been looking at Guam as a possible relocation site.
Northern Mariana Islands Governor Benigno Fitial was present at the meeting between Camacho and the Japanese lawmakers, according to Japanese officials. Fitial has expressed a positive view about accepting the Futemma Air Station functions to the islands.
US territory offers to host troops from Japan: reports
US territory offers to host troops from Japan: reports
AFP – 4 hours ago
TOKYO — A US-administered Pacific island territory has offered to take some of the US troops relocating from Japan amid a row between Washington and Tokyo over a military base, reports said Thursday.
The governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands made the offer when he met a Japanese delegation in the US territory of Guam Wednesday, Jiji Press and other news reports said.
The United States and Japan in 2006 reached an agreement to shift thousands of US troops to Guam from Okinawa, where the heavy presence of US forces has long led to frictions with the local community.
But Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama launched a review of a key part of the deal -- the status of Futenma air base, which was to be moved from a busy urban area to reclaimed land off a quiet Okinawan village.
Some allies of Hatoyama want the air base removed entirely.
"I asked if both Saipan and Tinian can shoulder the burden of Okinawa, and the governor told us he welcomes it," said Mikio Shimoji, a senior politician from the People's New Party -- one of the two junior partners of the ruling coalition, according to Jiji.
Saipan and Tinian are two of the commonwealth's islands.
Benigno Fitial, the commonwealth's governor, was also quoted by Japanese news agency Kyodo News as telling reporters: "We welcome anything that will benefit the commonwealth."
Tinian Mayor Ramon M. Dela Cruz separately told Kyodo that the island can accept the Marine units, but that it needed full backing from Washington on the issue.
On Thursday, the Japanese delegation inspected Andersen Air Force Base and other US military facilities in Guam.
The United States opposes revisions to the deal, saying Futenma's facilities are a military necessity. The United States stations some 47,000 troops under a security alliance with Japan.
AFP – 4 hours ago
TOKYO — A US-administered Pacific island territory has offered to take some of the US troops relocating from Japan amid a row between Washington and Tokyo over a military base, reports said Thursday.
The governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands made the offer when he met a Japanese delegation in the US territory of Guam Wednesday, Jiji Press and other news reports said.
The United States and Japan in 2006 reached an agreement to shift thousands of US troops to Guam from Okinawa, where the heavy presence of US forces has long led to frictions with the local community.
But Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama launched a review of a key part of the deal -- the status of Futenma air base, which was to be moved from a busy urban area to reclaimed land off a quiet Okinawan village.
Some allies of Hatoyama want the air base removed entirely.
"I asked if both Saipan and Tinian can shoulder the burden of Okinawa, and the governor told us he welcomes it," said Mikio Shimoji, a senior politician from the People's New Party -- one of the two junior partners of the ruling coalition, according to Jiji.
Saipan and Tinian are two of the commonwealth's islands.
Benigno Fitial, the commonwealth's governor, was also quoted by Japanese news agency Kyodo News as telling reporters: "We welcome anything that will benefit the commonwealth."
Tinian Mayor Ramon M. Dela Cruz separately told Kyodo that the island can accept the Marine units, but that it needed full backing from Washington on the issue.
On Thursday, the Japanese delegation inspected Andersen Air Force Base and other US military facilities in Guam.
The United States opposes revisions to the deal, saying Futenma's facilities are a military necessity. The United States stations some 47,000 troops under a security alliance with Japan.
PNC :: Japan Diet Delegation Tours Guam During Fact Finding Mission
PNC :: Japan Diet Delegation Tours Guam During Fact Finding Mission
Thursday, 11 February 2010
Guam - A 23 member delegation of the Japan Diet or legislature toured the island of Guam today seeing the military bases and meeting with local officials.
The group is part of a fact finding team sent to Guam to help determine if the island would be suitable for the relocation of the Futenma U.S. Marine Air Base. This base does not include the 8,000 marines already slated to move to Guam.
Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama sent the delegation to the CNMI and Guam to find alternative sites for the relocation of the Futenma US Marine Air Base. Futenma has been a sticking point for the defense realignment agreement between the U.S. and Japan. The U.S. has promised to move 8,000 marines and their dependents from Okinawa to Guam as long as they can move Futenma to the north of Okinawa. Okinawans have protested this and instead want Futenma off of their island completely. Japanese officials have said that Guam could be a potential place for this relocation.
Today the 23 member Japanese delegation toured the bases and met with the Governor during a closed door meeting. While media was not allowed inside the governor did talk afterwards saying that he re-iterated that Guam could not host additional marines and that the 8,000 that are alsready slated to come here were more than enough. Camacho says they realize that there has to be consideration of Guam's ability to host additional marines. According to the governor Japan is not necessarily focussed on moving Futenma to Guam He says "They're simply trying to say move them out of Okinawa"
On the other hand CNMI governor Benigno Fitial told the Japanese diet members that Futenma could be moved to the CNMI. Fitial said he would welcome the marines because he know that Guam can not accomodate them.
While the Governor held a closed door meeting the legislature held a very open meeting with two diet members namely Mikio Shimoji and Tomoko Abe. Both are members of the ruling social democratic party of Japan or the same party that the prime minister is a part of. After having dinner with Speaker Judi Wonpat on Wednesday Shimoji and Abe met with the legislature to receive resolution 275 that Guam lawmakers spent all day revising before passing. The resolution in essence shares many of the major concerns of Guam's local population as received through the various public hearings the legislature has held on the buildup. Abe said that both she and Shimoji would bring the resolution to Prime Minister Hatoyama.
As for Shimoji he told lawmakers that the agreement was between the United States and Japan and that because of this Japan has a responsibility to make sure that it is carried out with the interest of Guam in mind. Both Shimoji and Abe pledged to be a voice for Guam in the Japan Diet. As for the plans to move Futenma to Guam, Shimoji says he doesn't think it will happen.
Written by : Clynt Ridgell
Thursday, 11 February 2010
Guam - A 23 member delegation of the Japan Diet or legislature toured the island of Guam today seeing the military bases and meeting with local officials.
The group is part of a fact finding team sent to Guam to help determine if the island would be suitable for the relocation of the Futenma U.S. Marine Air Base. This base does not include the 8,000 marines already slated to move to Guam.
Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama sent the delegation to the CNMI and Guam to find alternative sites for the relocation of the Futenma US Marine Air Base. Futenma has been a sticking point for the defense realignment agreement between the U.S. and Japan. The U.S. has promised to move 8,000 marines and their dependents from Okinawa to Guam as long as they can move Futenma to the north of Okinawa. Okinawans have protested this and instead want Futenma off of their island completely. Japanese officials have said that Guam could be a potential place for this relocation.
Today the 23 member Japanese delegation toured the bases and met with the Governor during a closed door meeting. While media was not allowed inside the governor did talk afterwards saying that he re-iterated that Guam could not host additional marines and that the 8,000 that are alsready slated to come here were more than enough. Camacho says they realize that there has to be consideration of Guam's ability to host additional marines. According to the governor Japan is not necessarily focussed on moving Futenma to Guam He says "They're simply trying to say move them out of Okinawa"
On the other hand CNMI governor Benigno Fitial told the Japanese diet members that Futenma could be moved to the CNMI. Fitial said he would welcome the marines because he know that Guam can not accomodate them.
While the Governor held a closed door meeting the legislature held a very open meeting with two diet members namely Mikio Shimoji and Tomoko Abe. Both are members of the ruling social democratic party of Japan or the same party that the prime minister is a part of. After having dinner with Speaker Judi Wonpat on Wednesday Shimoji and Abe met with the legislature to receive resolution 275 that Guam lawmakers spent all day revising before passing. The resolution in essence shares many of the major concerns of Guam's local population as received through the various public hearings the legislature has held on the buildup. Abe said that both she and Shimoji would bring the resolution to Prime Minister Hatoyama.
As for Shimoji he told lawmakers that the agreement was between the United States and Japan and that because of this Japan has a responsibility to make sure that it is carried out with the interest of Guam in mind. Both Shimoji and Abe pledged to be a voice for Guam in the Japan Diet. As for the plans to move Futenma to Guam, Shimoji says he doesn't think it will happen.
Written by : Clynt Ridgell
PNC :: Vice-Speaker Cruz Says DEIS is Deficient
PNC :: Vice-Speaker Cruz Says DEIS is Deficient
Thursday, 11 February 2010
Guam - Vice-Speaker Cruz says that the military's Draft Environmental Impact Statement is deficient.
Cruz says after holding a roundtable meeting with Department of Mental Health and Social Services officials he found that the DEIS did a poor job of determining the impact the military buildup would have on Guam's Mental Health agency. According to Cruz U.S. military personel and their dependents do use Guam's Department of Mental Health.
Cruz says that Dr. Leightheiser told lawmakers that 20% of the patients at Mental Health are military or their dependents. He says that what's worse is that the DEIS doesn't address this.
The Vice-Speaker says that part of the problem is that many of the people who wrote the DEIS didn't even come to Guam and most of the DEIS was written from the states.
Written by : Clynt Ridgell
Thursday, 11 February 2010
Guam - Vice-Speaker Cruz says that the military's Draft Environmental Impact Statement is deficient.
Cruz says after holding a roundtable meeting with Department of Mental Health and Social Services officials he found that the DEIS did a poor job of determining the impact the military buildup would have on Guam's Mental Health agency. According to Cruz U.S. military personel and their dependents do use Guam's Department of Mental Health.
Cruz says that Dr. Leightheiser told lawmakers that 20% of the patients at Mental Health are military or their dependents. He says that what's worse is that the DEIS doesn't address this.
The Vice-Speaker says that part of the problem is that many of the people who wrote the DEIS didn't even come to Guam and most of the DEIS was written from the states.
Written by : Clynt Ridgell
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