by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - Guam Congressional Delegate Madeleine Bordallo responds to criticism from Vice Speaker B.J. Cruz saying thanks, but the best vehicle at this point to push through war reparations continues to be through the defense bill but she remains open to further suggestions he may have to resolve the matter. Bordallo added the reason why she didn't push for Guam to be included in H.R. 4783 was because it was considered under a closed rule and no amendments were offered.

Cruz believes Bordallo missed an opportunity for war reparations to be included in the measure related to H.R. 4783 and a recent settlement $4.5 billion between the Department of the Interior and U.S. Treasury and Indian and black farmer plaintiffs. The congresswoman said while she appreciated Cruz's approach on the matter, the legislation was trying to implement the results of a court action forcing the federal government to pay Native Americans for oil and gas rights and black farmers for civil rights violations.

She added that as a former chief justice of the Guam Supreme Court and member of the Guam War Claims Review Commission, he is in the best position to advise survivors of the occupation as to whether a class action lawsuit is the best course of action to resolve the issue. And if a lawsuit on Guam war claims were successful then legislation similar to H.R. 4783 would have to be introduced to fulfill the federal government's legal obligation under any such court settlement.