Guam - The Top U.S. Marine Corps commander says Guam cannot accommodate all the Marines based in Okinawa.  According to wire reports, Lieutenant General Keith Stalder, who visited the island several months ago, told the Kyodo News that Guam is not a substitute for Okinawa, and the functions of the Futenma air base must be kept in Okinawa.

Meanwhile, Virginia senator Jim Webb is on his way back to Washington, DC after completing a tour of Japan and Guam.  The Democrat lawmaker, during a press conference Friday night, committed to seeking increased funding for the infrastructure needs of the island in relation to the impending marines relocation to Guam including money for the Port Authority of Guam.

Webb also said he supports firing ranges on Tinian to reduce the overall military footprint on Guam.  He said, "If the ranges were to be on Guam, I believe that our negotiators have found probably the most appropriate place.  I personally think those kinds of functions should be up on Tinian. There's plenty of room up there."

Senator Webb says it's difficult for the United States to move forward though on decisions for the Guam buildup until Japan makes a decision on the Status of Forces Agreement and the relocation of Futenma. That decision isn't expected until sometime in May.