By Wallace C Gregson, Financial TimesPublished: Aug 27, 2004
From Lt Gen Wallace C. Gregson.
Sir, Your report "20,000 troops to be moved out of Asia" (August 16) attributes statements to me indicating that I am opposed to any reduction in marine forces on Okinawa. Your source was wrong.
I favour any moves that fit US national policy and strategy and which strengthen the US-Japan alliance and relationship.
Our forces are forward deployed and forward based in Japan to operate on behalf of US security strategy and alliances in the Asia-Pacific region, and to promote peace, stability and security throughout the region. Even prior to the events of September 11, 2001, we deployed forces from Japan to various regions in accordance with these alliances.
For example, the Marine Corps fully understands the concerns of the Okinawan people, especially in regard to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, which is situated in the middle of Ginowan City. When the Marine Corps took ownership of that air station, the surrounding area was relatively unpopulated. Today, it is in the midst of a densely populated area. We support the relocation of the air station to an appropriate alternate facility elsewhere on Okinawa, which was agreed upon by the respective governments of the US and Japan in 1996. This alternate facility would provide for over-water approach and departure routes which would significantly reduce the impact on the Okinawan community. We are on record supporting a significant acceleration of the construction schedule for the new facility.
The Marine Corps is actively exploring opportunities to move some training evolutions off Okinawa to reduce the burden on the population. We are actively pursing other training opportunities throughout the Pacific, to include venues in Australia and Guam, and with our other friends and allies in the region.
I have also gone on record as stating that one of many options the Marine Corps is exploring is the possibility of relocating some forces from Okinawa to mainland Japan. This option has the potential to enhance our training opportunities and our inter-operability with the Japanese Self Defense Forces. In short, I agree with the national security issues recently put forth by the president of the US, and am in favour of anything that would enhance US national security objectives and strengthen our alliance with Japan.
Wallace C. Gregson, Commander, US Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, Camp H. M. Smith, HI 98861, US
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