Text Fwd: Okinawa Assembly Vice-Speaker: Okinawa & Guam have much in common

* Text fwd by J. D. on Jan. 29, 2011


KUAM NEWS
Okinawan officials on fact-finding mission
Posted: Jan 27, 2011 1:16 AM Updated: Jan 27, 2011 3:04 AM
by Nick Delgado

Guam - Another delegation with the Okinawa Prefecture Assembly is on island. As a matter of fact, this is Assembly vice speaker Yoshikazu Tamaki's third visit to find out the specific issues surrounding the relocation of U.S. Marines from Okinawa to Guam.

Yoshizaku says Japan still hasn't received the more than $400 million in funding from the U.S. Government. He added like Guam communication is a problem. "It's basically we can say that Guam's peoples voice is not heard to the federal government and Okinawa's voice is not heard to the Japanese government, that's the one of common ground both Guam and Okinawa have," he explained.

In the meantime, Speaker Judi Won Pat tells KUAM News they learned that more than 75% of the people of Okinawa don't mind the Marines that are anticipated to relocate actually staying in their country, however she says they still have reservation about the Futenma base remaining there. (Okinawans want Futenma to close and no new construction at Henoko).

The delegation met also with Governor Eddie Baza Calvo and Lieutenant Governor Ray Tenorio.

Pacific News Center

Calvo, Tenorio Talk Buildup with Okinawa Assembly
Last Updated on Thursday, 27 January 2011 21:06

Written by News Release Thursday, 27 January 2011 17:50
Guam News - Guam News

Guam - Talks to turn the military buildup into a Guam buildup continued this afternoon, with a meeting between five members of the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly and Governor Eddie Baza Calvo and Lt. Governor Ray Tenorio.

The delegation was led by Vice Speaker Tamaki Yoshikazu.

“We have come to realize we have lots of similarities. There are similar problems in the relationships between Okinawa and Japan and Guam and the United States,” he said.

The assembly members discussed issues surrounding the relocation of Marines to Guam, including timelines, Pagat village, and public sentiment.

“I will continue to push for a mutually beneficial conclusion between the U.S., Japan, Okinawa, and Guam,” Governor Calvo told the delegation. “To be clear, I will also remain firm on keeping the federal government responsible and accountable to the promises it has made to improve the quality of life for Guamanians, return land to our people, and respect the sanctity of our ancestors.”