thedrifter
04-14-08, 07:22 AM
U.S. general says crimes should not hurt Japan ties
Mon Apr 14, 4:34 AM ET
The recently arrived commander of U.S. troops in Japan said on Monday that crimes committed by his troops should not be allowed to affect the two countries' ability to work together to combat regional threats.
Lt. Gen. Edward Rice said he would demand high standards of behavior after a string of allegations against U.S. servicemen, including sexual assaults and murder, that have sparked fury in Japan since he took over the position in February.
"It is important for all of us to remember the important role that forward-based U.S. forces play in the defense of Japan and regional security and not let the actions of a few cause us to lose sight of the significant security issues we need to confront as a strong alliance," he told reporters in his first news conference in Tokyo.
Rice added that he had come to a basic agreement with the Japanese government on informing them about deserters, after a sailor who had gone missing was this month arrested on suspicion of murdering a taxi driver. He said details of the deal were still under negotiation.
But Rice, a former bomber pilot who served in the early stages of the Afghan war, said he saw no need to change the general agreement governing the status of U.S. forces in Japan, which already allows suspects to be handed over to Japanese police ahead of indictment.
Last month thousands of residents of the southern island of Okinawa rallied to protest crimes by U.S. troops and demand a smaller U.S. military presence in the prefecture, after a U.S. marine was arrested on suspicion of raping a 14-year-old girl.
Japanese prosecutors dropped that case after the girl withdrew her complaints. The marine was being investigated by U.S. authorities for possible violations of the military code.
Four other U.S. marines from a base in southwest Japan face court martial over the rape of a Japanese woman last year.
Rice said he was optimistic that the relocation of an Okinawan marine base, aimed at relieving the burden on a densely populated area, and the transfer of 8,000 marines and their families to Guam would go ahead as scheduled by 2014.
Japan plays host to about 50,000 U.S. troops, and those who live near the bases often complain of associated noise, crime and pollution.
(Reporting by Isabel Reynolds; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
Ellie
Mon Apr 14, 4:34 AM ET
The recently arrived commander of U.S. troops in Japan said on Monday that crimes committed by his troops should not be allowed to affect the two countries' ability to work together to combat regional threats.
Lt. Gen. Edward Rice said he would demand high standards of behavior after a string of allegations against U.S. servicemen, including sexual assaults and murder, that have sparked fury in Japan since he took over the position in February.
"It is important for all of us to remember the important role that forward-based U.S. forces play in the defense of Japan and regional security and not let the actions of a few cause us to lose sight of the significant security issues we need to confront as a strong alliance," he told reporters in his first news conference in Tokyo.
Rice added that he had come to a basic agreement with the Japanese government on informing them about deserters, after a sailor who had gone missing was this month arrested on suspicion of murdering a taxi driver. He said details of the deal were still under negotiation.
But Rice, a former bomber pilot who served in the early stages of the Afghan war, said he saw no need to change the general agreement governing the status of U.S. forces in Japan, which already allows suspects to be handed over to Japanese police ahead of indictment.
Last month thousands of residents of the southern island of Okinawa rallied to protest crimes by U.S. troops and demand a smaller U.S. military presence in the prefecture, after a U.S. marine was arrested on suspicion of raping a 14-year-old girl.
Japanese prosecutors dropped that case after the girl withdrew her complaints. The marine was being investigated by U.S. authorities for possible violations of the military code.
Four other U.S. marines from a base in southwest Japan face court martial over the rape of a Japanese woman last year.
Rice said he was optimistic that the relocation of an Okinawan marine base, aimed at relieving the burden on a densely populated area, and the transfer of 8,000 marines and their families to Guam would go ahead as scheduled by 2014.
Japan plays host to about 50,000 U.S. troops, and those who live near the bases often complain of associated noise, crime and pollution.
(Reporting by Isabel Reynolds; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
Ellie