Gates: Airfield should stay on Okinawa

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Gates: Airfield should stay on Okinawa
By Lara Jakes - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Oct 20, 2009 15:23:36 EDT

TOKYO — U.S. leaders expect Japan’s new government to stick with existing agreements between the two nations, America’s top defense official said Tuesday amid debate over whether to shutter a U.S. military air field on Okinawa. Japanese officials, however, signaled that they expect flexibility from the U.S.

Pentagon chief Robert Gates did not specifically mention the controversy over the Futenma base, a major U.S. Marines hub, during brief public remarks with Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada. But he made clear that the Obama administration would frown on any action by Tokyo to block a new runway at another base on Okinawa when Futenma is closed.

“As your government exercises its new responsibilities, I want you to know the United States stands with you,” Gates told Okada at the start of their half-hour meeting in Tokyo. “And we are committed to advancing and implementing our agreed alliance transformation agenda.”

Okada told Gates the administration of newly elected Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama would seek a “deeper and sustainable” relationship with the U.S. “Of course, we have a lot of challenges,” Okada added.

At issue is the fate of the air field following Hatoyama’s election last month. Hatoyama told reporters Monday night, “We will choose an appropriate time to come to a conclusion after thoroughly reviewing the situation and process of the agreement.” Hatoyama said he was well aware of the weight of the agreement between the two past governments. “But it is also important for both of us to be flexible.”


Rest of Empire article at: http://marinecorpstimes.com/news/2009/10/ap_gates_okinawa_102009/