Turn to page 66 (it is on the Web at http://www.defense.gov/qdr/) and the incredibly interesting statement is as follows, in part:
“…transform Guam, the westernmost sovereign territory of the United States, into a hub for security activities in the region.”
First, let’s deal with the term “sovereign territory.” “Sovereign” is defined in my dictionary as “supreme in power and authority” while my dictionary defines territory as “a geographical area belonging to or under the jurisdiction of a government authority.” I can only conclude that this is an obvious oxymoron.
Second, focus on the word “transform.” My dictionary defines this word as “change in structure, appearance, or character.” Therein lays the root of the basis for the community’s opposition to the military buildup. The Department of Defense is simply planning to change our island of Guam into a military fortress with the obvious initial step being the current military buildup under debate and scrutiny.
This defense review statement alone reveals a dangerous mindset by the Department of Defense that Guam is solely viewed for its military use. What lies ahead has already been hinted in the current draft environmental impact statement and that is more to come. Apparently our future is in the hands of the Department of Defense as Guam becomes a fortress unless we say no now.
Instead the report should have stated the following: “utilize the island of Guam for limited security functions with the concurrence of the people of the island, an American island with a rich heritage of the indigenous Chamorros, while fore mostly cooperating in protecting the island’s resources.”
Now we discover there is more to come with the announcement of the Army’s proposal to station three Joint High Speed Vessels in Apra Harbor and the Japanese interest in relocation the entire Marine Corps’ Air Station Futenma on Okinawa to Guam.
Perhaps it is time for the Navy to withdraw the draft environmental impact statement from public review and come back next year with a statement that includes all military plans and adequately addresses the serious inadequacies the people of Guam have pointed out.
In the meantime, the people of Guahan can scrutinize our current and want-to-be elected leaders to see if they are “transformers” for the military or “protectors” of our island.
DAVE LOTZ
Yigo, Guam
