‘Problems’ cited in Tinian WWII anniversary event

House minority bloc spokesman Rep. Ray Tebuteb expressed doubts that Tinian would be able to accommodate all U.S. veterans and other guests when it holds its own World War II anniversary celebrations next month.

“They [proponents] are adamant to keep all the guests on Tinian. It seems like they don’t want to house them on Saipan, but there’s not enough hotel rooms to accommodate them there. It’s a good project but there’s a need to be realistic here,” said Tebuteb.

The lawmaker noted that veterans usually travel in big groups “because they are a big association.”

“When you invite them here, you’ve got to offer them some activities other than attend the ceremonies. You don’t want to bore them. After going back to the hotel, what else can they do? Golf? But there’s no golf on Tinian,” he said.

Tinian Mayor Francisco M. Borja said the local government needs $150,000 for the Aug. 2 to 10 celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II. Borja earlier expressed disappointment over the Governor’s Office’s alleged lack of cooperation on the matter.

He noted that Tinian has been asking for the funding assistance since last year but the central government has not acted on it.

Recently, the House leadership introduced a resolution asking Gov. Juan N. Babauta to reprogram funds for the Tinian event.

This, according to Tebuteb, is “a common step to pass the burden” to the Executive Branch.

“Every time there’s a problem to fix, we tell the governor to reprogram funds. From where? It would be nice to identify some funds and give a hint to the governor where to get the money,” said Tebuteb, a political ally of the governor.

He believes that Tinian, which receives revenue from casino, “has a lot of money.”

The Tinian-led event aims to bring in both U.S. war veterans and some Hibakusha, or survivors of the atomic bombing in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

At least three Hibakusha members have confirmed their attendance at the event. They are expected to arrive on July 29 to lead the holding of the “Hibakusha Experience” on Saipan, Rota, and Tinian.

Hibakusha Experience is the first-hand story telling about the horror of the atomic bomb.

It is not known yet how many U.S. war veterans are coming.

Borja said that flying the guests to Tinian alone would require some $100,000.