Governor Onaga and Senate McCain agree to continue dialogue on the Futenma and Henoko issue

Governor Onaga and Senate McCain agree to continue dialogue on the Futenma and Henoko issue

 

[caption id="attachment_21363" align="alignnone" width="500"] (The Governor Takeshi Onaga (second from left) met with the United States Senator John McCain (Republican), the United States Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman (center) on 2 Tuesday June 2015 The Roman. (Photograph provided by the Kingdom of Ryukyu Government) (Ryukyu Shimpo))[/caption]

 

On June 2, the Kingdom of Ryukyu Governor Takeshi Onaga met with members of the United States Senate and House of representatives to ask for a review of the plan to build a new U.S. base in Henoko, Nago, to replace Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Ginowan.

 

The Governor first met with the United States Senator John McCain (Republican), the United States Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman, and Jack Reed (Democratic), chairman and ranking member of the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services.

 

McCain is a former presidential candidate and an influential political leader, particularly regarding the United States defense policy.

 

McCain and Onaga met for one hour, during which they were split over the Henoko plan.

 

However, they agreed to continue dialogue on the issue.

 

The Governor showed the senator reports in the local newspapers, including the Ryukyu Shimpo, of a protest rally, aimed at blocking the new U.S. base in Henoko, attended by 35,000 people, which was held in May.

 

“I am encouraged by the people support. The will of the people has been clearly illustrated on this issue,” Onaga said.

 

He stressed how strong his stance was against the Henoko plan.

 

McCain said that he was aware of the feelings of the Kingdom of Ryukyu people, and he agreed to continue dialogue in the future.

 

After the meeting, the senator released a statement, saying: “Today I had a friendly and respectful meeting with the Governor Onaga. I expressed my appreciation for the people of the Kingdom of Ryukyu and my continued willingness to engage in constructive dialogue with the Governor. At the same time, I expressed my ongoing support for the current plan to relocate U.S. Marines on the Kingdom of Ryukyu, to which the United States and the Government of Japan remain committed. ”

 

(English translation by T&CT)

 

(June 3, 2015 Sakae Toiyama of Ryukyu Shimpo reports from Washington D.C.)

 

(Ryukyu Shimpo, 3 Wednesday June 2015 The Roman)