She said the most candid comment came from Levin who shared with the Guam senator that he and Webb are on a mission to discuss whether the military’s presence on Guam is welcome, and whether the U.S.-Japan realignment agreement to transfer 8,000 U.S. Marine Corps and 9,000 dependents from Okinawa to Guam is feasible.
“This was a very good meeting. Everyone spoke. Senator Levin is a very reasonable and wise person,” said Won Pat after the two-hour meeting on Monday.
Won Pat shared with the senators that Guam delegations have visited Washington, transmitted resolutions, and have sent letters to apprise U.S. lawmakers of their concerns.
Won Pat said the U.S. senators explained that their mission on this trip was to find out if the military presence was welcome here and whether the U.S.-Japan realignment plan was feasible.
The senators will be leaving for Okinawa where they will meet with local leaders who will also ask similar questions concerning the realignment agreement, including the cost benefits for Japan and Guam if the transfer occurs.
The U.S. senators are also concerned, said Won Pat, about the fact that Congress has been asking for a master plan, a completion date for the buildup and the total cost, “and they haven’t gotten an answer to these questions,” said Won Pat.
Members of Congress have already expressed their doubts about the pending buildup, one saying that Congress cannot afford to spend one dollar if a move of this magnitude is no longer valid, said Won Pat.
“We understand the national climate in D.C., and we are aware that the Tea Party and perhaps other members in Congress are not willing to go out and front a lot of projects that may not actually happen for this buildup,” said Won Pat.
The decisions made in the past to move the Marines may no longer be valid, Levin told local lawmakers.
“Congress realizes it must make a decision if this buildup is actually going to happen. Senator Levin did his homework, up to even the issue of Guam’s self-determination,” said Won Pat.
She said Webb, for his part, knows the whole idea of “One Guam” as well.
“He wrote about it in 1973, titled ‘The Forgotten Americans,’ ” said Won Pat.
Webb, said Won Pat, acknowledged that there is a need for more dialogue and a better understanding among the people of Guam, the military and Congress.
Webb said nothing is set in stone and that attitudes have changed, even in the U.S. Congress, and that Guam’s political status should be on the table.
When local lawmakers asked Levin about war reparations, the senator was very honest and said it would be very difficult to pass, since just one vote in the Senate can stop the entire process.
