Hundreds protest GW arrival in Japan

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Hundreds protest GW arrival in Japan
By Eric Talmadge - The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Sep 25, 2008 7:03:53 EDT

YOKOSUKA, Japan — The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier George Washington arrived Thursday at its new home port just south of Tokyo, welcomed by a mix of cheering crowds and protesters.

The giant warship, which will replace the carrier Kitty Hawk, docked at its new base in Yokosuka to shouting supporters and a brass band.

But protesters on shore and in a small flotilla of boats in the harbor demonstrated against the deployment, which some say poses a nuclear risk to Japan’s capital.

The George Washington, which can carry a crew of up to 5,600 and 70 aircraft, will become the Navy’s only carrier with a home port outside of the U.S. The conventionally powered Kitty Hawk is set to be decommissioned.

The demonstrators say the ship poses a threat to Tokyo because of the possibility of an accident in its nuclear reactor. They also are opposed to the increase in sailors who will be deployed to Yokosuka as a result of the ship swap, and say the carrier could make Yokosuka a target if hostilities break out between the U.S. and another country.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/09/ap_gw_arrives_092508/%2e