The University of Guam's Economic Development Forum hosted Derek Mitchell, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs.  Mitchell spoke about the geopolitical strategic significance that Guam plays in the Asian Pacific Theater.

He also confirmed that the Okinawa and Guam Base Relocation Agreement is unchanged and moving ahead as planned, but did admit that he felt it was appropriate that the new Japanese government has an opportunity to review the agreement.

"We want to give the government of Japan the opportunity to ask the questions to talk through how we got to this point," he stated.  "It is their right and legitimate to ask questions so we are giving them the respect they deserve as an equal partner in this endeavor."