[famoksaiyanfriends] Japay Says $740M Loan for Guam Ready / U.S.Says It Can't Repay Japan Loan to Build Infrastructures in Guam

Japanese Diet member Ichiro Aisawa, right center, speaks to Guam lawmakers yesterday afternoon
about the military buildup. Also in photo are from left: Senators Tony Ada, Rory Respicio, Speaker Judi Won Pat, Vice Speaker BJ Cruz, and Telo Taitague.
PHOTO BY: Tina Okada

* Texts from Martha Duenas on Sept. 1, 2010

Marianas Variety
Japan Says $740M Loan for Guam Ready
Wednesday, 01 September 2010 04:01
By Therese Hart | Variety News Staff

A VISITING Japanese businessman assured yesterday local lawmakers the Japan Bank for International Cooperation is willing to lend $740 million to finance power and water infrastructure needed to accommodate the American troops from Okinawa, Japan who will be relocated to Guam as part of the military buildup project.

Congressman Ichiro Aisawa brought the message during his meeting with the lawmakers led by Speaker Judith Won Pat.

But it’s still not clear whether the U.S. or Guam will make the loan and who will pay for it.

“They’re under the impression that the loan will come to Guam but somebody will have to pay for it,” said Won Pat.

But Sen. Tom Ada told Aisawa Guam has made its position very clear it will not incur the debt because it is related to the buildup.

Further, he said that in the final environmental impact statement, the U.S. acknowledged the debt will not be passed on to Guam ratepayers.

“If the military buildup doesn’t move forward, then we don’t need to build up our infrastructure for a move that’s not going to happen,” Won Pat added.

At the meeting, Senator Jim Espaldon recalled the injustices that the people of Guam had to endure during World War II.

Senator Ben Pangelinan said this was a dark stain in Guam’s history and asked Aisawa if he could speak to the prime minister and solicit an apology for the people of Guam.

Pangelinan said Guam’s relations with Japan will get better if those who suffered atrocities would be appeased.

Through his interpreter, Aisawa said he will discuss the request but declined to make promises.

Lawmakers asked for a detailed breakdown of the $6.1 billion that Japan will invest in Guam and Aisawa said there’s no reason why this information couldn’t be available.

They also asked Aisawa to give them information on how the buildup money would be spent.

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* See also

Kyodo News
U.S. Says It Can't Repay Japan Loan to Build Infrastructures in Guam
Aug 27 06:33 AM US/Eastern

By Agence France-Presse
[famoksaiyanfriends] Japan Politics Keeps US Base Dispute in Limbo
Updated: 8/31/2010

Kyodo News
Gist of Japan-U.S. Officials' Report on Transfer of U.S. Futenma Base
Aug 31 06:10 AM US/Eastern