Three Okinawan parties urge governor to retract agreement on boring for new U.S. base

Okinawa's three parties, including the Japanese Communist Party, have urged Governor Inamine Keiichi to forego the planned boring that would lead to the construction of a state-of-the-art on-sea base off Nago City to relocate the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station in Ginowan City.

On May 17, representatives of the Japanese Communist, Social Democratic, and Social Mass parties visited the governor's office in Naha.

In the meeting with a senior prefectural official, Furugen Muneyoshi, JCP Okinawa Prefectural Committee secretary, pointed out that U.S. Marines based in Okinawa have taken part in the military operation in Iraq, killing more than six hundred people that include women and children. "The construction of the new base will lead to more 'Iraqs' in the world. The prefectural government must not allow such a base to be constructed," he said.

Itokazu Keiko, Social Mass Party vice chair and a joint candidate for the coming House of Councilors Okinawan constituency election stated, "Okinawa gives priority to tourism as means of developing its economy. How can this be compatible with the plan to destroy Nago's natural environment with its coral reef?"

The prefectural government official said the boring will be done in compliance with relevant laws.

The stated position of the prefectural government is that the new base should be used for no more than 15 years, but both the U.S. and Japanese governments do not accept the limitation. (end)