Okinawans demand fewer U.S. troops, tighter discipline after alleged rape by Marine

Mainichi Daily News
Feb 14, 2008

TOKYO (AP) -- Okinawan lawmakers passed a measure Thursday condemning the alleged rape of a 14-year-old girl by an American serviceman, as the U.S. Marines began two days of training to tighten discipline among troops.
The Okinawa Prefectural Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution protesting the alleged rape as American officials try to quell anger on the island scarred by memories of an earlier rape case that sparked massive protests in the 1990s. The resolution also called for an apology and compensation for the alleged victim and her family.
"This is an extremely heinous crime that caused great shock and fear among the people of Okinawa," said assemblyman Seiichi Oyakawa. "We can never forgive this."
Meanwhile, U.S. Marines in Japan began a two-day ethics and leadership training program to define the standards of conduct expected of them, Marine spokesman 1st Lt. Judd Wilson said in an e-mail.
The training addresses how to maintain good relations with Japan, monitor one another and take action to prevent any form of misconduct, and it teaches the importance of obeying Japanese and American laws, he said.
Wilson refused to say how many Marines were stationed in Japan, citing security concerns, but added that historically about 18,000 have been stationed on the southern island.
Police arrested Staff Sgt. Tyrone Luther Hadnott, a 38-year-old Marine from Camp Courtney in Okinawa on Monday over the alleged attack on the 14-year-old girl the night before. The case prompted comparisons with the rape of a 12-year-old girl in Okinawa in 1995 by three U.S. servicemen, which prompted massive protests against the U.S. military.
Hadnott has not been charged and his hometown has not been released.
Okinawa hosts a majority of the 50,000 U.S. troops based in Japan and residents have long complained about crimes committed by American forces. The two countries have agreed to realign U.S. forces stationed in Japan.
The resolution adopted Thursday called for an apology and compensation for the victim and her family, and urged the U.S. military in Japan to tighten discipline. The resolution also called on the United States to consolidate its Okinawa bases and reduce the number of its troops, including Marines, in Okinawa.
Japan is considering setting up security cameras near U.S. bases in Okinawa, according to deputy Cabinet secretary Osamu Sakashita. He added, however, that such a plan also required the approval of local communities and consideration of privacy issues.
On Wednesday, U.S. Ambassador Thomas Schieffer flew to Okinawa to tell residents he took the Marine's arrest seriously.
Japanese police said the girl met Hadnott on Sunday and accepted a ride on his motorbike after he offered to take her home. The Marine allegedly took her to his house instead. When the teenager started crying he said he would drive her home, and the girl claimed he then raped her in a car, police said.
Hadnott told investigators he forced the girl down and kissed her, but did not rape her, police said.