Although it’s premature to say whether the relocation of 8,000 Marines from the Futenma airbase to Guam will really benefit the CNMI, “it is something that we can prepare for,” Conner said in an interview on Tuesday.
“I do support the position of Japan’s leaders,” he said noting that the relocation of 8,000 Marines and their families will eventually create a bigger demand for what the CNMI can offer.
He said the Marines are a “formidable” force whose presence on Guam will require logistic and other support groups.
Conner recalled that when the members of Okinawa delegation came here in December last year, they supported the CNMI Legislature’s joint resolution urging the U.S. Department of Defense to consider Tinian for the relocation of Futenma.
“The Japanese delegates even mentioned that their government has been spending millions of dollars on Futenma,” Conner said.
U.S. Sens. Carl Levin, John McCain and Jim Webb earlier recommended a change in the original agreement saying it is unrealistic and unaffordable. But the Japanese government wants to fulfill the May 2010 agreement, saying the senators’ proposal is not the official stand of the U.S. government.
Conner believes it’s going to be more economical for Japan to move ahead with the original plan so its government no longer has to pump more money into Futenma.
