Looking back on liberation
 

by Tony Blaz - 
KUAM's Political Insider
December 2, 2005

As we near the 62nd year of our liberation, we must remember and reflect on the long struggle of our heroic people who have never been given their tribute. For more than six decades it has been a bittersweet time for our people.

Our ancestors and descendants whose efforts to obtain compensation for atrocities Chamorros suffered in world war two by the Japanese have gone unrecognized.

What's even more perplexing and confusing to our people is Japan's absolution for its war crimes committed against the innocent people of Huam. Japan has never paid any reparations to our people, nor have they recognized or apologized for the inhumane treatment of our people. Adding insult to injury, Japan's Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko recently visited our neighbors in the CNMI to pay tribute to soldiers who suffered and died by Hirohito.

But what about the respect and consideration of our people? Where is our apology from Japan? The road to war reparations continues. Even the 1990 cutoff date for war reparations was very, very controversial.

In Governor Felix Camacho's adamant stance, he said, "I cannot, however, in good conscience support a measure that excludes and plainly forgets the contribution and sacrifices of so many brave Chamorros who died before an arbitrary date. There is no justifiable explanation for this provision." Senator Lou Leon Guerrero's resolution was also very adamant about our war reparations.

Today through Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo's valiant efforts, the house resources committee has passed the so called "compromise bill" that has been forwarded favorably to the House of Representatives. The 1990 cutoff date was removed by Delegate Bordallo, and she also proffered an amended version that details how the war reparations would be received by our people. A part of Delegate Bordallo's bill will also appropriate $5 million to pay for research, media and education activities that memorialize the events surrounding Guam's occupation.

We commend Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo. We honor congressman Ben Blaz and Robert Underwood for their immeasurable support. We honor the late Tun Antonio Won Pat and Senator Cecilia Bamba who were pioneers for war reparations.

The episode is moving, and we pray that the chapter will end and finally reparations will be a dream come true.    

Tony Blaz hosts "Positively Local", a radio talkshow on Isla61-AM everyday from 6-10am