U.S. nuclear and non-nuclear aircraft carriers enter Yokosuka

Two U.S. aircraft carriers, the nuclear-powered USS Carl Vinson and the non-nuclear USS Kitty Hawk, have for the first time made simultaneous calls at U.S. Yokosuka Naval Base in Kanagawa Prefecture, countered by protest actions by peace activists.

On May 10, the USS Carl Vinson made its fourth port call since its first call in 1984. The port call is to allow rest for personnel and renewing supplies, according to the U.S. Navy.

Meanwhile, the USS Kitty Hawk returned to its "home port" Yokosuka on May 6 after its participation in the U.S. war on Iraq without U.N. resolutions.

The USS Carl Vinson had been deployed around the Sea of Japan to replace the Kitty Hawk, which was on duty in the Iraq war.

Akahata warned that the call is aimed to level the ground for a plan to implement the full-time deployment of a U.S. nuclear-powered carrier in Japan. Currently, it aims at indirectly supporting the contingency bills in the Diet by using the North Korean situation as a pretext.

About 30 people from peace organizations, including Hatano Kimie, Japanese Communist Party lawmaker, gathered in front of the base site and shouted, "Go home, Carl Vinson!" (end)