12 May 2006

US Marines to use Tinian for training exercises

1:30 pm on 12 May 2006

The Governor of the Northern Marianas says he welcomes the US military's request to train on Tinian.

Governor Benigno Fitial said yesterday that the 8,000 U.S. Marine troops will conduct military exercises on Tinian after they transfer from Okinawa Japan to Guam.

The Saipan Tribune reports the Governor was briefed on the progress of the 10 billion US dollar relocation of U.S. troops from Okinawa to Guam this week.

Fitial said reports have it that the Japanese government has already agreed to pay a certain amount for the relocation, and the actual relocation would occur within the next three years.

He says the US military has chosen Tinian as a training site because there is no space for such exercises in Guam.

Governor Fitial said the move would have an economic impact on Tinian but also on Saipan, where they are also expected to visit.