OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
PRESS RELEASE
(for immediate release – Friday, August 31, 2007)
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Gov. Togiola at PBDC meeting is briefed on
military build up in Guam

Governor Togiola Tulafono, after serving as acting president for the last three years, is the newly elected president of the Pacific Basin Development Council. He is pictured with Mr. George Bamba, Chief of Staff for Gov. Felix Camacho of Guam, at the PBDC summer meeting on August 27 – 28 held at Lana’i, Hawai’i. [photo: americansamoa.gov]

(HONOLULU) – After serving as acting president of the Pacific Basin Development Council (PBDC) for the last three years, Governor Togiola Tulafono was elected by the PBDC Board as president on August 28th at the annual summer meeting that was held in Lana’i, Hawaii.

At the meeting, two important seminars were conducted that also included a briefing on the military buildup in Guam. 

The first seminar on Monday, August 27th included issues on climate change and its effect on the island territories, while the other was a follow up on Homeland Security workshops that were held at previous years.

A Guam representative at the meeting presented a report on the military buildup in Guam, and issues that may affect the territories, including American Samoa. 

“I had indicated my concern that high wages created by the construction work and new jobs to support the military move may affect our territories, and the military must include us in their financial assistance planning to fill the void that will be created when our people will be relocated to Guam to take up these jobs,” said Governor Togiola.

Governor Togiola has previously expressed his concern regarding such major project as a similar situation occurred more than two decades ago.

“I am extremely concerned with this problem because it happened before with private industry development in the 1980s and it can happen again,” said Governor Togiola.

PBDC resolved to meet again at the Department of Interior Business Development Conference at Guam in October to continue the dialogue with the military on the Guam military buildup issues.

A full compliment of the military will be present during that conference to brief the territorial governors on this issue.

Governor Togiola will return to American Samoa on September 9th.