Mark
Rabago, RNZ Pacific Commonwealth of the
Northern Marianas correspondent
The US Secretary of
Defence Pete Hegseth visited Guam on Thursday and reiterated
Washington’s commitment to the region, which includes its
other US territory in the Western Pacific, the Commonwealth
of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).
“We are going to
continue to stay committed to our presence here,” he
said.
“As I said to all the troops, too, publicly, and
it is important to emphasise, we are not seeking war with
communist China.
“But it is our job to ensure that we
are ready,” Hegseth said during his meeting with the
governors of Guam and CNMI, Lou Leon Guerrero and Arnold
Palacios.
While the US is not seeking a conflict with
China, Hegseth emphasised that it would be irresponsible for
the US Department of Defence not to be prepared for
it.
“I will say it again. My first platoon motto is
those who long for peace must prepare for war. It is our
responsibility as the Defence Department to be leaning
forward and prepared.”
Hegseth said Guam, which is
home to three of the largest US military bases outside of
the continental US, is central and vital to those
preparations.
“I want to thank everybody here for
their civilian commitment to what has to happen and what is
happening here [in] Guam.
“Strengthening civilian
infrastructure underpins the ability for military buildup,
and it has to be done working together.”
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He thanked
Guam’s leadership.
“I have just had a chance to sit
down with military leadership here, and their compliments
and appreciation for what you’re doing.
“Every single
one of them emphasized how important and significant that
is. We want to just continue to foster it. And thank you
also. It’s something I think is a little
underappreciated.”
Hagseth also paid tribute to Guam’s
veterans, which along with the CNMI, has a large percentage
of its population enlist in the U.S. military.
“CONUS
is the patriotism of this island, the commitment to service,
the veterans, the number of veterans on this island, 12,000
veterans, and just the recognition of what service means
here. This is our first stop for a reason. This is America
first also right here and we want to make sure our allies
and adversaries completely understand that.”
Aside
from Guam, Hegseth also visited Hawai’i and will next fly to
the Philippines and Japan in a whirlwind tour of allies in
the region.
During his trip, the defence chief will
meet with senior US military and civilian leadership and
participate in a series of bilateral meetings.
These
engagements will drive ongoing efforts to strengthen our
alliances and partnerships toward our shared vision for a
free and open Indo-Pacific.
In Guam, Hegseth was
expected to tour the military facilities and receive
capabilities briefs.
In the Philippines, he will
advance security objectives with Philippine leaders and meet
with US and Philippine forces.
In Japan, he will
participate in a ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary
of the Battle of Iwo Jima and will later meet with Japanese
leaders and US military forces.
Hegseth’s trip comes
as the United States builds on unprecedented cooperation
with like-minded countries to strengthen regional
security.
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