AS tension in the Korean Peninsula slowly simmers days after the North bombarded with artillery fire the South Korean island of Yeonpyeong, a joint U.S. Navy and Department of Defense delegation arrived in Guam assuring local officials federal funds will be forthcoming to ensure the military buildup moves ahead as scheduled.
Jackalyne Pfannenstiel, assistant secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations and the Environment, held talks yesterday with Governor-elect Eddie Calvo and Lt. Governor-elect Ray Tenorio.
Pete Potochney from the Office of the Secretary of Defense and other high ranking officials from the Pentagon joined their meeting, according to a media statement from the transition committee.
Pfannenstiel is also scheduled to meet with Acting Speaker Tina Muna-Barnes this morning and with Senator-elect Judi Guthertz who chairs the Committee on the Guam Military Buildup and Homeland Security at noon.
The visiting Navy official will likewise meet with the different mayors who are taking the opportunity to raise some concerns about the anticipated increased military activities within their jurisdictions.
Guams strategic location to help the U.S. and its allies keep peace and stability in a region constantly under threat by the nuclear-powered North Korea and other emerging powerhouses is needed, officials said.
During his meeting with the military delegation, Calvo was assured that the Navy and DoD will help Guam secure funding from other federal agencies to strengthen its infrastructure, education and healthcare systems, and public safety apparatus, among other things.
Local lawmakers are concerned their constituents may be burdened in building new infrastructure for water, wastewater, among others, if the U.S. and Japan fail to specifically identify funding for such projects.
Pfannenstiel told Calvo and Tenorio œthe œOne Guam concept is very vital to us.
œWe are really excited about working with your administration, Pfannenstiel told Calvo. œWere here to question, ˜What do you need from us? and ˜What can we do to ease the burden on Guam?
Calvo, who pledged to make opportunities for Guam through the buildup during his campaign, said he looks forward to continued dialogue with the military on the issue.
œWe want this to be more than a military buildup. Its got to be a Guam buildup, he said.
œThe organic growth of our island is hard enough, so we need to build capacity for protracted growth now. We look forward to fruitful dialogue so that U.S. and Guam interests are on par. We also want to do our part to improve the stature of the U.S. and its defense interests in this part of the world, he added.
The U.S. and Japan agreed to realign their forces four years ago.
The environmental impact assessment on areas that would be covered by increased military presence in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, took two years to complete.
The Record of Choice, which signals the start of awarding projects and the construction phase for the multi-billion buildup, was signed barely over two months ago.
Article source: http://mvguam.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15566:military-pledges-more-for-guam&catid=1:guam-local-news&Itemid=61
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Halo Sobat, Nama Saya Sofyan Syah, Memulai Dunia Blogging Sejak Nov 2011, Meskipun Masih Baru terjun di Dunia Blogging, Saya tidak patah semangat Untuk menjadi Yang terbaik dari yang Terbaik, karena saya yakin, Tidak ada hal yang tidak Mungkin.Buat saya Blogging Is My Life.Senang rasanya jika sobat sudah Berkunjung di blog ini.
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