Tiny Guam readies for Democratic presidental caucus
WASHINGTON (AFP) — The remote US terroritory of Guam prepares to hold the next presidential nominating contest, a Democratic caucus this week in which Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are vying for the tiny Pacific island's four delegates.
The caucus on Saturday is the only role Guam Democrats will have in the election contest; the island's residents, while US citizens, cannot vote in general presidential elections.
Guam has been a US territory in since 1898, when the United States emerged victorious from the Spanish-American War. It was also the scene of some of the bloodiest campaigns against Japan during World War II.
Neither of the two Democratic contenders is expected to make a campaign stop ahead of Saturday's caucus, although Obama, a native of nearby Hawaii, is seen as having an edge.
The US military owns nearly one-third of the island, which is just 30 miles (48 kilometers) long.
One major campaign concern on the western Pacific territory are plans by Washington to add thousands of troops over the next decade, as the United States faces base closures in Japan.
Guam activists also have been demanding greater political self-determination and a vote on either independence or statehood.
