Controversial plan to move U.S. base in Okinawa approved
The governor of Okinawa on Friday said he has approved a deal that would allow the U.S. military to relocate a base on the island, potentially breaking a lengthy deadlock over the issue and bolstering the Pentagon's strategy to "rebalance" forces in the Pacific.
Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima approved a deal Friday to reclaim land on Okinawa's coast in order to replace the U.S. base in Futenma. The plan would allow the U.S. military to move the base out of a congested area into a more remote region.
The Pentagon has been placing a renewed emphasis on the Pacific after more than a decade of wars in the Middle East. China's powerful military has been worrying allies in the Pacific and North Korea's regime has long been a concern for the United States.
The Pentagon welcomed the decision, saying it was critical for the U.S. military's Pacific strategy.
"The realignment effort is absolutely critical to the United States' ongoing rebalance to the Asia-Pacific region," Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said in a statement.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/12/27/okinawa-futenma-marines-pacific/4216847/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&dlvrit=206567
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