By JOSEPH COLEMAN
AP
Feb 14, 2008
TOKYO (AP) — The U.S. military in Japan has ordered a review of its anti-sexual assault guidelines and could impose new curfews or other restrictions following a Marine's arrest on suspicion of rape, the top commander said Thursday.
The announcement came after U.S. Ambassador Thomas Schieffer traveled to the southern island of Okinawa on Wednesday in an effort to quell rising anger over the case, in which a Marine sergeant is accused of raping a 14-year-old girl.
Lt. Gen. Bruce Wright, commander of U.S. forces in Japan, said he ordered a task force representing all the arms of the military to examine anti-sexual assault education programs and come up with recommendations for improvements.
The review is to take two to four weeks, he told a news conference.
Japanese police on Monday arrested Staff Sgt. Tyrone Luther Hadnott from Camp Courtney in Okinawa over the alleged attack the night before. Hadnott has not been charged and his hometown has not been released.
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.
"This kind of act by one of our military members, a Marine staff sergeant, is absolutely unacceptable and in no way matches the commitment of our entire U.S. Forces Japan community to the highest possible moral and professional standards," Wright said.
The case has prompted comparisons with the gang-rape of a 12-year-old girl in Okinawa in 1995 by three U.S. servicemen, which triggered massive protests against the American military presence.
On Thursday, the Okinawa state assembly adopted a resolution protesting the suspected rape and calling 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."
Wright said the military was looking at a variety of measures to prevent further assaults, including curfews and limiting off-base activities. Enlisted Marines in Okinawa already face a midnight curfew, but that could be tightened or broadened to other services.
"We're looking at all applications — everything's on the table," he said.
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 in Okinawa also called on the United States to consolidate its Okinawa bases and reduce the number of its troops, including Marines, on the island.
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 requires the approval of local communities and consideration of privacy issues.
AP
Feb 14, 2008
TOKYO (AP) — The U.S. military in Japan has ordered a review of its anti-sexual assault guidelines and could impose new curfews or other restrictions following a Marine's arrest on suspicion of rape, the top commander said Thursday.
The announcement came after U.S. Ambassador Thomas Schieffer traveled to the southern island of Okinawa on Wednesday in an effort to quell rising anger over the case, in which a Marine sergeant is accused of raping a 14-year-old girl.
Lt. Gen. Bruce Wright, commander of U.S. forces in Japan, said he ordered a task force representing all the arms of the military to examine anti-sexual assault education programs and come up with recommendations for improvements.
The review is to take two to four weeks, he told a news conference.
Japanese police on Monday arrested Staff Sgt. Tyrone Luther Hadnott from Camp Courtney in Okinawa over the alleged attack the night before. Hadnott has not been charged and his hometown has not been released.
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.
"This kind of act by one of our military members, a Marine staff sergeant, is absolutely unacceptable and in no way matches the commitment of our entire U.S. Forces Japan community to the highest possible moral and professional standards," Wright said.
The case has prompted comparisons with the gang-rape of a 12-year-old girl in Okinawa in 1995 by three U.S. servicemen, which triggered massive protests against the American military presence.
On Thursday, the Okinawa state assembly adopted a resolution protesting the suspected rape and calling 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."
Wright said the military was looking at a variety of measures to prevent further assaults, including curfews and limiting off-base activities. Enlisted Marines in Okinawa already face a midnight curfew, but that could be tightened or broadened to other services.
"We're looking at all applications — everything's on the table," he said.
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 in Okinawa also called on the United States to consolidate its Okinawa bases and reduce the number of its troops, including Marines, on the island.
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 requires the approval of local communities and consideration of privacy issues.
No comments:
Post a Comment