2017年1月13日金曜日

翁長知事、今月下旬にも訪米 辺野古の民意、次期政権に訴え 2017/01/03

琉球新報 2017年1月3日 07:30 


翁長雄志知事は名護市辺野古の新基地建設を阻止する意思を直接示すため、今月下旬にも訪米する方向で調整に入った。20日にはトランプ次期米政権が発足するため、米国防総省、米国務省の次官補級担当幹部の指名など、対外基地政策の体制固めをする前に県側の立場を伝え、米軍普天間飛行場返還・移設問題で「辺野古が唯一」とする日米両政府の姿勢を転換させたい考え。
 

辺野古新基地建設問題に絡む翁長知事の訪米は2016年5月以来3度目。トランプ次期大統領の就任に合わせて早期に訪米して沖縄の民意や政治状況を伝えるため、過去2回の訪米行動からの「仕切り直し」をする形で新政権にアプローチする。

 今回の訪米行動では米政府に発言力を持つ有識者らを交えたシンポジウムなどを開催することも計画している。

 安倍晋三政権が昨年12月27日に新基地建設工事を再開し、辺野古移設が日米両政府の「既定路線」として次期政権にも引き継がれようとする中、政府当局者以外の政権周辺にも働き掛け、米側に再考を促す。

英文へ→Governor Onaga to visit to US at end of January, making appeal to incoming administration for Henoko issue

翁長知事、今月下旬にも訪米 辺野古の民意、次期政権に訴え


Governor Onaga to visit to US at end of January, making appeal to incoming administration for Henoko issue

January 3, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo

Governor Onaga to visit to US at end of January, making appeal to incoming administration for Henoko issue

Governor Takeshi Onaga

Governor Takeshi Onaga has begun making preparations for a visit to the United States at the end of the month with the purpose of making a direct appeal for stopping new base construction in Henoko, Nago. With the inauguration of the United States’ next president set to occur on January 20, Gov. Onaga plans to meet with the incoming heads of the Department of Defense and the State Department to give the Okinawan position regarding the base construction before the plans are set in stone, and to ask both the Japanese and U.S. governments to change their position that “Henoko is the only solution” to solve MCAS Futenma relocation issue.

This will be Gov. Onaga’s third visit to the United States related to the Henoko base construction issue since May, 2016. The visit coincides with inauguration of president-elect Donald Trump to not only inform the new administration the opinion of Okinawans and the political situation, but also with hopes of a “fresh start” after the previous two visits.

This plan for this visit is to hold a symposium that includes people capable of influencing the American government.

The Abe administration re-started construction on December 27, and while both governments work to continue this “set course” into the next administration, Gov. Onaga will approach people other than just government officials and urge the United States to reconsider the issue.

(English translation by T&CT and Sam Grieb)

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January 3, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo