ID :
19269
Fri, 09/12/2008 - 21:19
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/19269
The shortlink copeid
U.S. carrier George Washington to arrive at Yokosuka on Sept. 25
TOKYO, Sept. 12 Kyodo - The U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier George Washington will arrive at its new home port of Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, on Sept. 25, replacing the carrier Kitty Hawk, U.S. Naval Forces Japan said Friday.
The U.S. Navy announced the arrival date at a time when some residents in Yokosuka are concerned about the safety of the George Washington, the deployment of which was delayed for about one month because of a fire caused by unauthorized smoking by the crew.
''The forward deployment of USS George Washington demonstrates America's commitment to providing the most advanced capabilities to ensure the U.S. Seventh Fleet's ability in the U.S. defense of Japan and the maintenance of international peace and stability in the Far East in support of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security,'' the U.S. Navy said in a statement.
The Japanese government said Friday that it welcomes the carrier's upcoming arrival, noting that the deployment will contribute to the peace and security of Japan and the surrounding region.
As to lingering safety concerns over the nuclear-powered aircraft, the Foreign Ministry said that Washington has expressed its intention to ''strictly honor all of its previous commitments,'' which the ministry said are backed by ''concrete measures and stringent specifications.''
Local residents opposed to the George Washington's deployment reacted to the news of its impending arrival with anxiety and anger.
''The U.S. Navy's forceful deployment without disclosing information on (carrier-related) accidents tramples on the sentiments of every citizen in Yokosuka and can never be tolerated,'' said Masahiko Goto, a lawyer who heads a local civic group.
''We strongly demand that the U.S. Navy stop the deployment of the George Washington, whose presence is opposed by 70 percent of Yokosuka residents, and that the Japanese government urgently request the United States not to deploy the carrier,'' he said.
The 102,000-ton vessel will be the first U.S. nuclear-powered carrier to use a Japanese city as its home port.
Yokosuka Mayor Ryoichi Kabaya has said that the city, south of Tokyo, will accept the deployment of the carrier in principle.
But Kabaya has repeatedly urged the U.S. Navy headquarters in Japan, also based in Yokosuka, to take safety measures to allay local concern over a possible nuclear accident involving the carrier.
The U.S. Navy announced the arrival date at a time when some residents in Yokosuka are concerned about the safety of the George Washington, the deployment of which was delayed for about one month because of a fire caused by unauthorized smoking by the crew.
''The forward deployment of USS George Washington demonstrates America's commitment to providing the most advanced capabilities to ensure the U.S. Seventh Fleet's ability in the U.S. defense of Japan and the maintenance of international peace and stability in the Far East in support of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security,'' the U.S. Navy said in a statement.
The Japanese government said Friday that it welcomes the carrier's upcoming arrival, noting that the deployment will contribute to the peace and security of Japan and the surrounding region.
As to lingering safety concerns over the nuclear-powered aircraft, the Foreign Ministry said that Washington has expressed its intention to ''strictly honor all of its previous commitments,'' which the ministry said are backed by ''concrete measures and stringent specifications.''
Local residents opposed to the George Washington's deployment reacted to the news of its impending arrival with anxiety and anger.
''The U.S. Navy's forceful deployment without disclosing information on (carrier-related) accidents tramples on the sentiments of every citizen in Yokosuka and can never be tolerated,'' said Masahiko Goto, a lawyer who heads a local civic group.
''We strongly demand that the U.S. Navy stop the deployment of the George Washington, whose presence is opposed by 70 percent of Yokosuka residents, and that the Japanese government urgently request the United States not to deploy the carrier,'' he said.
The 102,000-ton vessel will be the first U.S. nuclear-powered carrier to use a Japanese city as its home port.
Yokosuka Mayor Ryoichi Kabaya has said that the city, south of Tokyo, will accept the deployment of the carrier in principle.
But Kabaya has repeatedly urged the U.S. Navy headquarters in Japan, also based in Yokosuka, to take safety measures to allay local concern over a possible nuclear accident involving the carrier.
