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"Yankee Go Home!" ; Okinawa Governor Pouts
Okinawa has asked the US to reduce or relocate American military bases on the island and to remove large numbers of US Marines, which its Governor says would lower the crime rate.It would also remove the major source of income. Keiichi Inamine made the plea to the US Defence Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, who visited Japan and South Korea to discuss bilateral security and Pentagon plans to realign the postwar US military global "footprint". In an unusual act of public diplomacy, the Okinawa Government decided that news organisations would be present at Sundayâs meeting between Mr Rumsfeld and Mr Inamine, ensuring that the Governorâs request would receive a wide airing. Wants his face on TV. Mr Rumsfeld listened to the Governorâs list of complaints, challenging some of them including noise pollution, the level of military training conducted in Okinawa and the Navyâs effect on marine wildlife. After nearly 40 minutes, Mr Rumsfeld said it was time to end the discussion. "Weâve listened," he said politely but firmly. Iâd say thats a "No". Posted by: Steve 2003-11-17 |
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