$90K already spent for Tinian visitors

Tinian organizers of the 60th commemoration of the atomic missions has spent nearly $100,000 for the transportation costs of Japanese and U.S. visitors for the Aug. 2 to 10 event on the island.

Phillip M. Long, senior policy consultant of Tinian Mayor Francisco M. Borja, said that Finance Secretary Fermin M. Atalig has authorized the release of the money using the Tinian government’s local account.

“We’re truly grateful for the secretary’s understanding of the need to cut the check on time,” said Long, noting that the airline received the payment just before it adjusted the rates for the peak season.

Long said the local government still needs $150,000 from the central government for the actual holding of events.

“Take note that we’ve only solved the airfare needs to bring in the guests. And it came from the local account. We have not received funding from the central government,” said Long.

He said the Tinian event—which he said would attract the international media—would benefit the Commonwealth economy as a whole.

Meantime, Long who is chair of the event, clarified that Gov. Juan N. Babauta has been briefed and has expressed his support for the holding of the peace ceremonies.

“The governor is very supportive of the event but he has some advisers telling him of concerns, essentially the political correctness of bringing two parties [Japanese and U.S.] together,” said Long.

“We had a meeting with him and he did express his concern but he also understood our goal. He said that he would give us his full support,” said Long.

Earlier, a frustrated Borja wrote the governor accusing the latter’s office of not extending full cooperation for the Tinian event.

The mayor cited the lack of financial support from the central government and the governor’s alleged suggestion to cancel the event, among others.

Long acknowledged that there are some groups who are strongly opposed to the idea of bringing in the war veterans and the atomic bombing survivors at the same time. He said these people fear that the Japanese visitors would embarrass the U.S. veterans.

“But this theory is completely off-based and wrong. We hope that people will give us a call to understand the event fully,” he said.

Long said that there are actually some U.S. veteran families who want to attend the Japanese peace ceremonies.

“They actually asked if the Japanese contingent would not mind if they attend their event. I said no, that’s what they want,” he said, noting that one survivor from Hiroshima who is coming to Tinian actually wished to shake hands with Enola Gay pilot Paul W. Tibbets.

Tibbets, who is now in his 80s, earlier wanted to come to Tinian but he declined the invitation reportedly upon his doctor’s advice.

Long said this year’s event is all about promoting peace and learning lessons from the war. He said there will be separate venues for Hibakusha, the atomic survivors, and the U.S. war veterans peace ceremonies.