Japan to offer US loan for troop exit

[kpete]

Japan to offer US loan for troop exit

Sunday 19 February 2006, 9:41 Makka Time, 6:41 GMT
US troops have been in Japan since 1945

Japan will propose lending money to the United States to speed up the planned relocation of 7000 marines out of the country.


Japan is keen for the troops to leave Okinawa to reduce simmering tensions with local residents, but the United States has said a plan to move the troops to Guam will take decades unless Tokyo picks up much of the approximately $8 billion price tag.

Such spending will be unprecedented and requires parliamentary approval.

The move to Guam is part of the Pentagon's troop realignment plans in the region.

The United States wanted Japan to pay for a quick move outright, but the idea for a loan arrangement emerged in an attempt to gain public support, the Nihon Keizai newspaper reported on Sunday, without citing sources.

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/CCD46023-B295-41BA-A8DF-FA969AC5E238.htm

[MADem]

1. Isn't that interesting....this has been going back 'n forth for eons

Years ago, we had great relations with the Okinawans. They ran a survey in the paper several decades back, asking parents "Who would you prefer your daughter to marry?" and the choices were 1-Okinawan 2-Japanese 3-American. The Okinawans won, but the Americans, back then, came in a strong second. Nowadays, the Japanese are much preferred, with the Americans polling in the toilet. Shows how badly we've fucked up what was a good relationship for a long time...

Back then, they had a crude acronym for GUAM (give up and masturbate) because there wasn't much social life on that island at the time. The economic opportunity for Guam with this move will be considerable, but they may not want to go back down that road, what with all the inroads they have been making with tourism. They've had some experience with military bases, though, so it won't be a new thing for them....

[soothsayer]

2. Guess they're tired of Marines raping and murdering young girls

as it seems they have done on occasion.

[TahitiNut]

3. So, is the $8 billion called 'ransom' or 'tribute'?

Amazing. Over $1 million per Marine. I wonder how many crony corporations have their snouts in that pot.