Fact-finding mission
Friday, 05 March 2010 01:20
by Mar-Vic Cagurangan | Variety News Staff
Japanese lobby groups coming to Guam
A 20-MEMBER delegation consisting of representatives from an influential coalition of Japanese lobby groups, is arriving on Guam tomorrow on a four-day fact-finding mission to assess the island’s capacity to accommodate the troops that will be relocated from Okinawa.
“They will meet our officials and members of the community and go back to Japan to share the outcome of their trip with their elected leaders,” said Debbie Quinata, maga’haga of Chamorro Nation, who is hosting the delegation from the left-leaning Japan Congress Against A and H Bombs.
The visiting coalition, led by Tsuru Masaaki, is represented by leaders of human rights groups, peace movement and labor unions from 10 prefectures.
“They are not here to play. After their trip, they will write a report that will be submitted to the Japanese Diet,” Quinata said.
She said the delegation is specifically interested in the financial aspect of the military buildup as it relates to the Japanese government’s $6 billion contribution to the Marines relocation cost, which is greeted with protests from Japanese taxpayers.
“This group is particularly opposed to the Japanese government’s intention to use the people’s taxes to subsidize the troop relocation expenses and to participate in infringing on the rights of the people of Guam,” Quinata said.
The delegates will arrive on Saturday night and visit the proposed firing range site for the Marines on Route 15 the next day. The tour also includes a visit to Pagat, an ancient site, which will also be affected by the firing range project.
They will meet with Lt. Gov. Mike Cruz in Adelup on Monday morning. A separate meeting with speaker Judi Won Pat, vice speaker BJ Cruz, and Sens.Judy Guthertz, and Senator Ben Pangelinan follows next on the same day.
Participating groups include the Nagasaki Prefecture Movement for Peace, Miyazaki Federation of Social Democrats and Kagoshima Prefecture Teachers Union, among others.
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Japan group tours Guam
Monday, 08 March 2010 05:32
by Therese Hart | Variety News Staff
A 21-member delegation from various organizations in Japan arrived on Guam Saturday evening for a study-tour related to the military buildup.
Yesterday, the group toured the Nelson family property in Pagat, Mangilao, to view the proposed live fire range. During the public comment period for the draft environmental impact statement, members of the Nelson family testified at many of the meetings in strong opposition to using their family land for the firing range.
Family members reiterated their opposition regarding the use of their land for military operations. And although Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo has stated for the record that she will oppose any land taking, family members remain concerned that Bordallo’s opposition in Washington D.C. might not be enough if the federal government decides to invoke its eminent domain authority on lands for military use.
“If they want it; there’s not much anyone can do once the decision has been made. I hope that Madeleine will lobby hard against any land taking. In the first place, the federal government should deal directly with private property owners,” said landowner Ted Nelson.
The group listened carefully as members of the We Are Guahan group shared with them the concerns raised since the DEIS was released.
The delegation will pay a courtesy call on Lt. Gov. Mike Cruz today at 9 a.m. as well as members of the 30th Guam Legislature at 10 a.m.
Organizations represented in the delegation include the Social Democratic Party of Japan, the Japan Congress Against A- and H-Bombs, and several Japanese labor unions and peace organizations, according to Vice Speaker Benjamin J. F. Cruz.
The group is expected to share comments with Guam leaders regarding the U.S.-Japan alliance and the issues surrounding Guam’s concerns about the buildup.
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