House asks governor for Tinian funding

The House leadership is asking the governor to reprogram needed funds for Tinian’s peace ceremonies that will mark the 60th year after the atomic bombing of Japan.

Vice Speaker Timothy Villagomez introduced House Resolution 14-40 yesterday to formally request the chief executive for the money.

Tinian Mayor Francisco M. Borja had written to Gov. Juan N. Babauta on June 27 expressing his disappointment over the lack of funding assistance for the Tinian project.

“I am very disappointed with the lack of cooperation the municipality has received from your office in regards to hosting our 60th anniversary events scheduled for August 2 and 10,” Borja said.

The Tinian Mayor’s Office and the Tinian Municipal Council are jointly organizing the peace ceremonies on Tinian. Part of the plans is to bring some atomic bombing survivors as well as U.S. veterans to Tinian for the event.

In his letter, Borja said his office first notified the Governor’s Office on July 12, 2004, but, instead of getting help, he was informed that he should work with the Commander Naval Office Marianas on Guam. Yet Borja said that COMNAVMAR was not aware of such a methodology. He described the instructions of the Governor’s Office as “very troubling.”

Since April this year, the mayor said his office had informed the Governor’s Office of the use of the Tinian Northfield for the event but COMNAVMAR has not received such a request.

Borja also disclosed in the letter that the governor allegedly wanted to cancel the Japanese involvement in the anniversary event in consideration of the presence of U.S. veterans who are expected to participate in it.

“I understand your concern for the Japanese involvement in the event and your private meeting with me requesting to cancel the events was very telling of your anxiety. However, I feel very strongly that there must be and should be a Japan portion of this event and it is not negotiable,” said Borja.

To clarify the issue, Borja asked the governor to issue a letter stating the latter’s support or non-support for the event.

“I trust that you will immediately prepare this letter as HPO, COMNAVMAR and my office have been waiting for 12 months,” said Borja.

Governor press secretary Peter A. Callaghan said he is not aware of the mayor’s letter to the governor.

Earlier, the Tinian municipal office said that some $25,000 would be needed for the event.

Part of the event is the holding of Hibakusha Experience, a first-hand story telling by atomic bomb survivors and an exhibit showing the damage caused by the bombing.

The Hibakusha will arrive in the CNMI on July 29.