A diplomatic cable sent by the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo to the U.S. State Department that provided details on the negotiations explained that Japan’s share was made to appear smaller with the inclusion of an unnecessary project costing $1 billion, or 81 billion yen, to construct a military road by the United States, according to Asahi Shimbun.
The cable also stated that the numbers of people to be moved to Guam was inflated to 8,000 Marines and 9,000 family members to “optimize political value” of the agreement.
“This is sad, but not surprising,” Guam Speaker Judi Won Pat said in reaction to the report. “Documents like these cables revealed by Wikileaks show us the unfortunate reality of this realignment process. The United States was willing to engage in less-than honest negotiations with one of our closest allies; it makes me question their negotiations with our local government as well.”
Won Pat added: “This is exactly why we need strong, unapologetic leadership that is willing to dig in, find out the truth, and advocate — unequivocally — for the people we represent. This is what I believe your Legislature has been doing. We have been asking the questions that need to be asked. We must question any of our leaders who do not do the same.”
