Recently, Sen. Telena Nelson asked, “Is there an option to have no military presence on the island at all?” (Guam Pacific Daily News, Jan. 24, 2019).
The answer is no.
Much as we would like, Guam (like Belgium) can never be neutral. Geography will not allow it. Its strategic location is too important to too many countries to expect them all to leave Guam alone. Guam needs strong military protection in 2019 as much as in 1941.
I say this because history seems to be repeating itself in our part of the world. Some of the players may have changed, but the plot is still the same and as always its basis is Plato’s claim that “Only the dead have seen the end of war.”
In late 2013, China began creating artificial islands in the South China Sea by dredging sand onto coral reefs and concreting them to make permanent structures. China stated that the construction was strictly for “providing shelter, aid in navigation, weather forecasts and fishery assistance to ships of various countries passing through the sea” (“China Voice: Drop fear mongering over South China Sea,” April 16, 2015).
By 2016, over 2,000 acres of new land had been created and weapon systems (including anti-aircraft and anti-missile systems) had been installed.
By 2019, these man-made islands are fully armed fortresses that now include sea walls, deep-water ports and runways for military aircraft. China now claims the entire area as its territorial waters that cannot be entered without Chinese permission.
This rapid militarization and expansion by China (while making false claims of strictly civilian intent: i.e. “navigation” and “safety”) should reawaken memories of what happened to Guam in 1941. At that time, Imperial Japan falsely promised decolonization with the slogan “Asia for the Asians” and the goal of creating a “Co-prosperity Sphere.” Japan then initiated active negotiation with the U.S. over ensuring peace in the Western Pacific (while in fact secretly preparing for war against the U.S.).
As we all know, Guam paid a high price for this deception. So I think it is very important that our elected leaders remember this and understand that U.S. military needs on Guam must take priority over everything else.
Guam is a desirable prize and those who covet it will not be deterred by cultural traditions or environmental considerations. Above all else, we need a strong military presence on Guam. Guam cannot be defended with fishing boats and latte stones.