Department of Commerce Acting Secretary Sixto Igisomar said the OEA verbally affirmed its commitment to fund the committee which is headed by Gov. Benigno Fitial.
Its members include the speaker of the House of Representatives, the commerce secretary and all the mayors of the CNMI.
Igisomar said the committee acts as the CNMI’s liaison office with the military when it comes to the buildup.
The OEA agreed to finance the panel’s video-teleconference activities to keep the CNMI abreast with issues related to the buildup on Guam.
Tom Linden is the committee’s coordinator whom Igisomar described as very efficient.
“Tom Linden has gone beyond what he’s actually supposed to be doing. He has become our real direct liaison with the OEA,” said Igisomar.
Japan and the U.S agreed to realign their forces in the region.
Part of the agreement calls for the relocation of 8,600 U.S. Marines from Okinawa, Japan to Guam starting 2012.
The Record of Decision, which signals the construction phase for the Guam buildup, was signed on Sept. 20, 2010.
Tinian is envisioned to host numerous trainings and drills for the troops of the U.S. and its allies.
