thedrifter
02-25-08, 10:02 AM
Japan curfew to run at least through March 3
Kyodo News Service
Posted : Monday Feb 25, 2008 9:51:16 EST
NAHA, Japan — The U.S. military will continue at least until March 3 the curfew imposed last week in the wake of a Marine’s alleged rape of a local junior high school girl on Okinawa, U.S. forces said Monday.
Marine Lt. Gen. Richard Zilmer, commander of the U.S. forces in Okinawa, has decided to continue until further notice the so-called ”period of reflection” limiting the movement of U.S. military-related personnel, which will be reassessed March 3, the forces’ public affairs office said in a press release.
March 3 is also the day that Japanese prosecutors will have to indict or release Marine Staff Sgt. Tyrone Hadnott, 38, of Camp Courtney. Hadnott is accused in the alleged rape of a 14-year-old girl.
Zilmer’s decision is a result of Sunday’s meeting with senior military leaders from all services to evaluate the effect and impact of the curfew that began Wednesday, the office said.
“I need leaders at all echelons in all the services to continue to reinforce what the vast majority do well as forward serving ambassadors of America,” Zilmer was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, the new commander of U.S. forces in Japan pledged Monday, during talks with a senior Japanese official, to implement measures to prevent crimes involving U.S. service members.
During a brief conversation after his inauguration ceremony at Yokota Air Base in Tokyo, Air Force Lt. Gen. Edward Rice told Senior Vice Foreign Minister Itsunori Onodera that he fully recognizes the gravity of the rape allegation and the importance of making sure similar incidents will never happen again, Japanese Foreign Ministry officials said.
U.S. Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer also joined the conversation and told Onodera that he has already exchanged detailed notes with the new commander on how to prevent a recurrence, the officials said.
At the ceremony, Air Force Lt. Gen. Bruce Wright, Rice’s predecessor, described the days after the rape allegation as “challenging” and “hurtful” for the U.S. military.
“I promise you our unwavering commitment to zero-tolerance for crimes committed by U.S. forces in our host country of Japan,” said Wright, who served as commander of U.S. Forces in Japan since February 2005.
At the ceremony, Rice stressed the importance of implementing a 2006 bilateral agreement on the realignment of U.S. military functions in Japan.
The realignment accord “sets the foundation for continuing the presence of United States forces in Japan for many, many years to come and strengthens the alliance,” said Rice, former vice commander of the U.S. Pacific Air Forces.
Since the Feb. 10 rape allegation, a Marine was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving in the city of Okinawa and another was apprehended for alleged trespassing after he was found sleeping on a sofa in a private residence in the city of Nago.
Ellie
Kyodo News Service
Posted : Monday Feb 25, 2008 9:51:16 EST
NAHA, Japan — The U.S. military will continue at least until March 3 the curfew imposed last week in the wake of a Marine’s alleged rape of a local junior high school girl on Okinawa, U.S. forces said Monday.
Marine Lt. Gen. Richard Zilmer, commander of the U.S. forces in Okinawa, has decided to continue until further notice the so-called ”period of reflection” limiting the movement of U.S. military-related personnel, which will be reassessed March 3, the forces’ public affairs office said in a press release.
March 3 is also the day that Japanese prosecutors will have to indict or release Marine Staff Sgt. Tyrone Hadnott, 38, of Camp Courtney. Hadnott is accused in the alleged rape of a 14-year-old girl.
Zilmer’s decision is a result of Sunday’s meeting with senior military leaders from all services to evaluate the effect and impact of the curfew that began Wednesday, the office said.
“I need leaders at all echelons in all the services to continue to reinforce what the vast majority do well as forward serving ambassadors of America,” Zilmer was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, the new commander of U.S. forces in Japan pledged Monday, during talks with a senior Japanese official, to implement measures to prevent crimes involving U.S. service members.
During a brief conversation after his inauguration ceremony at Yokota Air Base in Tokyo, Air Force Lt. Gen. Edward Rice told Senior Vice Foreign Minister Itsunori Onodera that he fully recognizes the gravity of the rape allegation and the importance of making sure similar incidents will never happen again, Japanese Foreign Ministry officials said.
U.S. Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer also joined the conversation and told Onodera that he has already exchanged detailed notes with the new commander on how to prevent a recurrence, the officials said.
At the ceremony, Air Force Lt. Gen. Bruce Wright, Rice’s predecessor, described the days after the rape allegation as “challenging” and “hurtful” for the U.S. military.
“I promise you our unwavering commitment to zero-tolerance for crimes committed by U.S. forces in our host country of Japan,” said Wright, who served as commander of U.S. Forces in Japan since February 2005.
At the ceremony, Rice stressed the importance of implementing a 2006 bilateral agreement on the realignment of U.S. military functions in Japan.
The realignment accord “sets the foundation for continuing the presence of United States forces in Japan for many, many years to come and strengthens the alliance,” said Rice, former vice commander of the U.S. Pacific Air Forces.
Since the Feb. 10 rape allegation, a Marine was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving in the city of Okinawa and another was apprehended for alleged trespassing after he was found sleeping on a sofa in a private residence in the city of Nago.
Ellie