Gov`t to seek understanding of Okinawa over U.S. base relocation+

TOKYO, May 5 Kyodo -
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano
agreed Wednesday that the government will continue seeking the understanding of
Okinawa residents over the plan to keep part of the function of the U.S. Marine
Corps' Futemma Air Station within the prefecture.
Their meeting, also attended by foreign and defense ministry officials, came
after Hatoyama visited Okinawa Tuesday to tell residents there that it is not
feasible to relocate all the functions of the air base outside Okinawa,
reversing his pledge to try to move it outside altogether.
Those at the meeting exchanged views on how to conclude discussions over the
issue of relocating the Futemma base, currently in Ginowan, with the local and
the U.S. governments by the end of this month, the deadline imposed by Hatoyama
himself, according to informed sources.
On Tuesday, Hatoyama faced stern local opposition to his plan to keep at least
part of the Futemma base within the prefecture. Hatoyama cited the importance
of maintaining the Japan-U.S. security alliance and U.S. deterrence in Asia.
==Kyodo