cynicismcentral.org - TOWNSVILLE AUSTRALIA

Retired US Admiral runs marine relocation from Japan to Townsville Australia up the flagpole.
www.cynicismcentral.org/node/68

Letter to the Editor Townsville Bulletin
Re Send in the marines Bully 20/1/10 (article below)

It should be noted that the man suggesting that a US Marine Corps chopper base be relocated from Japan to Townsville, Bob Natter, Rear Admiral – is retired and is just running this up the flag pole to see how it flies. He also highlights what he believes are the economic benefits to Townsville.

The reasons stated for the need for relocation, i.e. that the Japanese want them out because of serious behavioural problems -sounds like the US is looking for another colony to send its convicts to.

The US is already relocating to Guam where it already has a base, and it is said that even there some of the locals aren’t too happy about that.
There are a number of reasons why we should reject any such relocation to Townsville:
• Whilst extra people here mean more money may be spent in the local economy , it is well known that if 30 pieces of American silver starts getting flashed around , then our politicians will act in the interests of America and not the Australian people;
• Townsville will soon be home to 3rd Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment, their families and support staff , which though many more DHA (Defence Housing Authority) houses are being built ,will put a strain on DHA and land availability (in addition to 2 Battalions aready here , the 1st and 2nd Battalion RAR and support groups);
• There is already competition for land and housing in the Townsville Area and there is ultimately a limit to growth ;
• Americans use depleted uranium weapons and ammo and these will then be stored here and possibly used in training in our catchments;
• Townsville has already seen some of American behavioural problems such as not returning Yanks for trial under our law.
• There is already going to be a social impact on the Townsville with extra Australian troops , anyone who has been in the forces knows what this means, imagine what it will mean with thousands of permanent yanks.
Whilst there is a pragmatic reason for actually training yanks , it is for the same reason many countries in the Asian region could do with human rights training and in the carrying out of military activities without mass civilian casualties.

Pat Coleman
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Article
Send in the marines
LENDL RYAN
Townsville Bulletin
January 20th, 2010
http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2010/01/20/108395_news.html

THE United States is planning to relocate 3000 marines from Japan to the South Pacific and Townsville has emerged as a likely headquarters.

It would result in a massive $13 billion infrastructure spend to accommodate 8000 people, including the families of the American soldiers, if they were relocated from Okinawa to Townsville.

The Townsville Bulletin understands senior Pentagon officials have been briefed on possible relocation sites, which include Guam and Townsville.

Okinawa no longer wants to host up to 26,000 US marines and the Japanese made it clear late last year when a series of difficult 'cultural' and behavioural issues emerged.

Townsville, a garrison city, has the land and capability to accommodate a US contingent and its existing military facilities will be of use to the marines.
Guam, under the protectorate of the US, is already preparing to accommodate 8000 marines and 10,000 family members from American bases in Japan as part of the Guam Strategic Military Realignment Program.

Retired United States navy admiral, Bob Natter, the man responsible for bringing the USS Essex to Townsville over the past decade, said yesterday that Townsville was ''very much on the radar'' for the additional 3000 marines from the Marine Corps Air Station Futenma.

''It makes a lot of sense,'' he said.

''I know the Pentagon has considered Northern Australia, certainly North Queensland, before for the marines.

''There is a problem with the situation in Japan. We know that. There are ongoing talks about that but the reality is that the troops may have to move.''

Mr Natter said the United States and Japanese Governments had an agreement but there were ongoing anomalies over the location of the helicopter base, which had been earmarked for Guam.
''Townsville is a great option for a number of reasons,'' he said.

''It currently houses Australian soldiers so it has a garrison outlook and it understands the value of defence to its economy. It has training ranges that are available for the United States to use. Importantly, Townsville also has a deepwater port and it is located in the western Pacific.

''Because of its close proximity it means the soldiers can train more frequently.

''It's now up to the Australian Government, the Queensland Government and the Townsville council to get behind this. It would be a terrific boon for the North Queensland economy.''

The US and Japan have tried relentlessly to make the arrangement in Okinawa work but it has strained tensions between the two governments.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said last week that a ''realignment roadmap'' was the best option while Japan Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada said talks had been suspended.

Townsville is already preparing for the arrival of 700 Diggers and their families when the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR) relocates from Holsworthy Barracks