Gates: Let’s continue to occupy Okinawa
Gates: Disputed US airfield should stay on Okinawa
TOKYO – U.S. leaders expect Japan’s new government to stick with already-forged agreements between the two nations, America’s top defense official said Tuesday amid debate over whether to shutter a U.S. military air field on Okinawa.
Pentagon chief Robert Gates did not specifically mention the controversy over the Futenma base, a major U.S. Marines hub, during brief remarks with Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada.
But the defense secretary made clear that the Obama administration would frown on any action by Tokyo to block a new runway at another base on Okinawa when Futenma is closed.
“As your government exercises its new responsibilities, I want you to know the United States stands with you,” Gates told Okada at the start of their half-hour meeting in Tokyo. “And we are committed to advancing and implementing our agreed alliance transformation agenda.”
At issue is the fate of the air field in the wake of Hatoyama’s election last month.
Three years ago, U.S. and Japanese officials agreed to shift 8,000 Marines in Okinawa to the U.S. territory of Guam and to move the Futenma air field base to Camp Schwab, also on the southern Japanese island.
But some members of Hatoyama’s government want all remaining U.S. troops moved out of Japan altogether. Okinawa residents have complained that the military bases cause too much noise and crime.</em>
Let Chalmers Johnson explain Okinawa to ya.
