However, Bordallo last week was reassured by Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta of the Department of Defense’s continued support for the realignment of Marines from Okinawa to Guam.
During a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee, Secretary Panetta testified that the United States must maintain a forward presence in the Asia-Pacific region.
Bordallo highlighted the importance of the “2+2” meetings in June, in addition to the commitment of Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda’s administration toward achieving “tangible progress” on a Futenma replacement facility.
Panetta testified that despite the fiscal environment affecting the federal government, it is committed to fulfilling its obligations under the Guam International Agreement and will stand by assurances made in June regarding the realignment.
“I appreciate Secretary Panetta’s assurance to maintain a robust military presence in the Asia-Pacific region and for reiterating DOD’s commitment to the buildup in Guam,” said Bordallo.
“I will continue to work with Secretary Panetta and my colleagues in Congress to ensure the United States fulfills its commitments in the Guam International Agreement, which is critical to maintaining peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region.”
Disappointed
However, Guam Sen. Judi Guthertz said she was disappointed with the “half-hearted” response of Panetta, saying it demonstrated “that he’s not exactly a profile of courage” on the military buildup.
When questioned by Bordallo, Panetta stated the Department of Defense continued to support the buildup, which is the result of a longstanding U.S.-Japan agreement, but said, “The challenge is going to be to try to make sure that we do it in a cost-effective way.”
“That’s all we need in Guam,” said a frustrated Guthertz.
“Some more confusion about the actual intent of Washington and the military in the buildup. They’ve built up the expectations of the people of Guam and our business sector for the buildup starting as early as 2005, and now the Secretary of Defense sounds like he is retreating.”
In an August letter to Assistant Secretary of the Navy Jackalyne Pfannenstiel, Guthertz said, “We would appreciate any word the Pentagon can provide to reassure us that strong measures are underway to influence the deliberations by that [deficit reduction committee] in favor of maintaining the buildup.”
“I wouldn’t exactly call Secretary Panetta’s answers the kind of strong support that we need,” Guthertz said.
“I think we must ask ourselves: ‘Have the people of Guam been seduced and abandoned by premature promises from DOD on the Guam buildup?”
