The Pacific island of Guam remained outwardly calm on Wednesday in the face of a threatened North Korean attack, and a senior official in the US territory urged people to “relax and enjoy paradise”. After US President Donald Trump threatened North Korea with “fire and fury” remark, Pyongyang raised the stakes just hours later — saying it was considering missile strikes near US strategic military installations on Guam.
In a televised address to the 1,62,000 residents on the Western Pacific island, Governor Eddie Calvo said Guam was working with Washington “to ensure our safety”. “I want to reassure the people of Guam that currently there is no threat to our island,” he said.
Guam, which advertises pristine beaches, clear blue skies and “world-famous sunsets” is a popular destination, with tourism a key pillar of its economy. But it is also home to about 6,000 US troops and houses two US military installations — the Andersen Air Force Base and the Naval Base Guam. Despite the significant contribution the military makes to the local economy, there is a small but growing opposition to its presence. Guam was described by President Barack Obama’s Defence Secretary Ashton Carter as “an important strategic hub for the US military in the Western Pacific”.