Bordallo Returns from Congressional Delegation to Japan and Taiwan

Nov 29, 2012 Issues: Defense and National Security, Foreign Affairs, Military Build Up
Congresswoman Bordallo meets with IT Specialist, Melinda Villena, USN, and YN2 Erik Estrada, USN, aboard the USS Blue Ridge.
Bordallo Returns from Congressional Delegation to Japan and Taiwan

 

Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo recently returned to Washington D.C. following a five-day Congressional Delegation (CODEL) to Japan and Taiwan. The delegation, led by Congressman Rob Wittman of Virginia, also included Congressman Bill Flores of Texas and Congressman David Cicilline of Rhode Island.
 
During their stop in Japan, the CODEL met with officials from the U.S. Embassy to discuss U.S.-Japan bilateral issues, including the relocation of Marines from Okinawa to Guam. The CODEL met with representatives from the Navy’s 7th Fleet to discuss overall naval force posture in the Western Pacific. They also toured the USS Blue Ridge, where she met with servicemembers from Guam.
 
In Taiwan, the CODEL met with President Ma Ying-jeou, officials from the American Institute in Taiwan, the Taiwan National Security Council, the Taiwan Navy Fleet Commander and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. While in Taiwan, the Members discussed future foreign military sales under the Taiwan Relations Act. 
 
“Our delegation had a productive visit with U.S. officials in Japan and officials from the Taiwanese government, including President Ma,” said Congresswoman Bordallo. “These Congressional Delegations allow Members to speak directly with foreign officials about our bilateral relations, and they are a good way to get to know other Members and build working relationships. In particular, this trip continued to emphasize to my colleagues the critical importance of modernizing our force posture in the Asia-Pacific region to ensure stability for years to come. I also appreciated the opportunity to meet with servicemembers from Guam aboard the USS Blue Ridge, and I thanked them for their service to our country and for continuing to make our island proud.”