US: Marines' move to Guam may be delayed

July 28, 2010
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A senior US Navy official has indicated that the relocation of Marines from Japan's Okinawa to Guam may be delayed from the current target of 2014 due to insufficient infrastructure on the island.

Assistant Secretary of the Navy Jackalyne Pfannenstiel, who is in charge of the relocation, expressed her view in prepared testimony before the House of Representatives' Armed Services Committee on Tuesday.

Pfannenstiel mentioned the potential impact of sudden population growth on the island's infrastructure, meaning a lack of sufficient facilities for the Marines could affect the relocation and construction schedule.

In another prepared testimony, Assistant Secretary of Defense Wallace Gregson opposed Japan's plan to cut its budget for US troops in the country.

Gregson said the planned spending cut signals to both friends and potential adversaries in the Asia region that Japan does not take its commitment to its defense seriously.

Japan and the United States agreed in 2006 that the transfer of 8,000 Marines will be completed by 2014.

The United States has maintained that the transfer is linked to the relocation of the US Marine Corps Futenma Air Station within Okinawa.

2010/07/28 10:53(JST)
(JST: UTC+9hrs.)