http://www.lapena.org/...
Benefit Update
Military build-up in Guam
Thursday November 30, 2006
$5-10 - 7:30pm
La Pena — 3105 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94705 USA
Military build-up in Pacific Island of Guam. Chamoru delegation, indigenous people of pacific island of Guam testify at UN Special Committee on Decolonization in NY, of massive increased military presence and campaign to privatize island's natural resources as US positions a "forward base" in the Pacific. Delegates report on issues of cultural preservation, environment, indigenous rights and self-determination, and efforts to address how US military realignment and corporate globalization schemes impede attempts to decolonize as a non-self-governing territory.
http://www.un.org/...
Also addressing the [United Nations] Committee were six petitioners from Guam, who advocated against the continued militarization of the Territory by the United States. More than one third of the island remained militarily occupied and the Chamoru people were increasingly concerned that the administering Power had attempted to undermine –- if not eliminate -– the decolonization process over the last 20 years. Speakers denounced the lack of Chamoru involvement in any decision-making processes or strategic plans that had a significant impact on the island.
The petitioners called on the Fourth Committee to recommend to the General Assembly the adoption of a resolution condemning Guam’s militarization as a breach of duty on the part of the administering Power. They also asked the United Nations to urge the United States to pay war reparations, clean up toxins on the land and in the water supply, pay adequate compensation for the land it was using and fulfil its treaty obligations to provide adequate information on the Chamoru right to decolonization.
http://minagahet.blogspot.com/...
There are almost too many things wrong with the following article "Semper Fi: former Marines Defend Corps at Women's Meeting",
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Returning to the article I posted below, and how simply the two Marines listed can argue against the abuses, damage and pollution that the Marines have caused in Okinawa, we can see clearly how unequal ideas operate in Guam.
Where are the voices of the women who have suffered the presence of so many Marines in Okinawa? Why is it that these voices can be snuffed out with the mere mention of the fact that rape and violence take place on Guam? (also, why is the treatment of this issue being framed in a negative way, as if to dimiss it through the way it is introduced? To put it more simply, why is it that the topic of rape and gender violence in Okinawa or from the military in general is framed in such a way that the emphasis becomes how free speech and equality were denied to the Marines Corps? LANA!)
This is of course the very palpable residue of a colonial relationship. Notice, how unequal understanding of reality works? Certain statements resonate, can travel, can be understood easily, naturally, while others, are quickly and sometimes forcefully rejected.
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