Okinawans Ask Rumsfeld to Thin Out Troops

New York Times ^ | November 17, 2003 | THOM SHANKER

[OESY]

NAHA, Okinawa, Nov. 16 — The governor of Okinawa petitioned Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld on Sunday to reduce or relocate American military bases on this strategic Japanese island, and urged removing large numbers of American marines to reduce crime here.

In an unusual act of very public diplomacy, the Okinawa government decided that the entire meeting between Mr. Rumsfeld and Gov. Keiichi Inamine would be opened to Japanese and foreign news organizations, assuring that his plea would receive a wide airing. Mr. Rumsfeld's other sessions with Japanese leaders during his two-day visit were held in private.

The defense secretary listened to the governor's list of complaints and challenged a number of the assertions, in particular on noise pollution, the level of military training conducted here and the Navy's impact on marine wildlife.

After nearly 40 minutes, Mr. Rumsfeld indicated that it was time to end the discussion. "We've listened," he said politely but firmly. He told his host that American military commanders worldwide "try to assure they can minimize the impact of their presence."

The Pentagon is deep into a review of the American military's global bases, including those here, but Mr. Rumsfeld told the island's local leadership that he was not yet prepared to make final decisions.

In his petition to Mr. Rumsfeld, the Okinawa governor wrote that "incidents and accidents caused by U.S. military personnel, and environmental problems stemming from the bases, have created enormous impacts on people's lives, while the facilities became the outstanding hindrance to urban development and economic promotion."

The people of Okinawa, Mr. Inamine said, "have been shouldering the excessive burden of U.S. bases over long years."

American military officials say there are about 58,500 Americans in the armed services in all of Japan; about 14,000 of them are with the Seventh Fleet, and are often at sea.

But the governor noted that Okinawa is home to the bulk of American forces in Japan. American military officials said about 28,890 American troops, some 17,600 of them marines, were based on the island.

The Okinawa petition contends that 5,157 crimes were committed between 1972 and last December by American troops, the Pentagon's civilian employees working here or their dependents. Of those, 533 were "heinous crimes such as murder, robbery and sexual assault," the Okinawa government said.

The petition urges the "relocation of training and exercises by U.S. Marine Corps to the sites other than Okinawa, as well as force reduction of U.S. forces stationed on Okinawa." It also advocates "reducing and consolidating the U.S.-occupied facilities and areas."

It asks the American military to take steps to prevent aircraft accidents and calls for the "thorough discipline and education of personnel" to prevent crime. It also asked the Navy to ban low-frequency sonar in waters off Japan.

Mr. Rumsfeld said research into the effects of the sonar has shown "little if any impact on marine mammals," and he countered that the amount of military training on Okinawa and the noise levels "have declined rather than increased." He underlined the strategic location of Okinawa — it is in easy striking distance of North Korea and China — and said that because of the American-Japanese military alliance, "this part of the world has seen peace."

Mr. Rumsfeld's delegation was given a copy of the Okinawa petition in advance, and a senior Pentagon official noted that Mr. Inamine's presentation to the defense secretary was less strident than language he used in recent news articles.

Okinawa was the scene of one of the worst battles of World War II, and was administered by the American military until 1972, when it reverted to Japanese rule.

The status of American forces on Okinawa is determined by a treaty between the United States and Japan. Although Japanese defense officials enthusiastically support the American military presence on Okinawa, the government in Tokyo is cognizant of the popular support for Mr. Inamine here.

After spending the day on Okinawa, Mr. Rumsfeld flew to Seoul on Sunday night for talks that will also include questions concerning American forces in South Korea.

[OESY]

This may well fit Rumsfeld's plans for a more mobile military.

[KantianBurke]

guess having the occassional rape by American forces gets old after awhile.

[WorkingClassFilth]

"The Okinawa petition contends that 5,157 crimes were committed between 1972 and last December by American troops, the Pentagon's civilian employees working
here or their dependents. Of those, 533 were "heinous crimes such as murder, robbery and sexual assault," the Okinawa government said."

Did any of the grievences include the rape of entire cities? How 'bout rape, beheading and cannibalism?

No?

Sorry, I guess it was the Japanese army that I was thinking about. Never mind.

[DB]

Okay, let them deal with N.K. and China themselves.

Its not as if these bases don't cost Americans huge amounts of blood and treasure to maintain.

I get tired of all the whining.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Shhh... the Japanese history books don't contain such atrocities, do they?

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Five thousand crimes in 30 years ?
How does that measure up agains any other city in Japan of similar size ?

[HenryLeeII]

We have several issues here. First, the Japanese are concerned about and trying to deal with the North Koreans and Chinese in various ways. Second, the Japanese and Okinawans want to develop the island as a resort area (it has beautiful weather and white sand beaches), and so they are trying to get back some of the prime real estate that our Navy and Marine Corps bases are on. Third, Okinawa, like the rest of Japan, has a very low crime rate compared to the U.S., and they are tired of our personnel raping and killing their citizens.

[HenryLeeII]

I don't understand your reply. I know you're referring to the rape of Nanking and other atrocities by the Japanese Army during WWII, but the Okinawans are not Japanese (culturally and historically speaking); and those atrocities do not excuse the horrific crimes (rape, murder, mutilation, etc.) committed by our troops over the years.

[DB]

Protection comes at a cost.

[WorkingClassFilth]

Okinawa, regardless of ethnicity, is part of Japan. Japan surrendered unconditionally. If we need that base to aid in projection of force in that theater, I don't care what their 'feelings' are.

I would suggest a little remedial history for all of Japan. A little analysis of the North Korean and Chinese foreign policies wouldn't hurt either.

[HenryLeeII]

You're right as far as the land issue, I was just pointing out why they want us out. But as far as the crimes are concerned, those are never excusable.

[Enterprise]

Somehow, Iraq comes to mind here.

[joesnuffy]

We need to bring home our troops from Europe and put them on our southern border
imo

[bonesmccoy]

The Japanese were strong supporters of US intervention in Iraq... they've sent tons of cash towards the intervention... what cost are they supposed to bear beyond that?

[bonesmccoy]

Your interpretation of current events reflects your anti-Japanese racist over generalizations.

The other freeper has already explained that the citizens of Okinawa have suffered enough.

We do not need over extended troops while we have 100K+ troops in Iraq.

If you want to post some of your revisionist history, I will be happy to respond.

On what basis do you excuse the rape of Okinawan school girls by US armed forces?

[bonesmccoy]

"I get tired of all the whining"

You're right... your Japan bashing is idiotic.

The US has plenty to lose because of the rape of Okinawan school girls by US GI's.

The US gov't needs to apprehend and sentence these GI's to the brig instead of covering up the FACT that these rapes are occurring.

[bonesmccoy]

this is a duplicate posting.

perhaps you missed the thread started by another person yesterday morning.

[bonesmccoy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1022753/posts?page=20#20

Rumsfeld has enough problems with the asians in the US. After arguing with General Shinseki for months regarding appropriate troop levels in Iraq, Mr. Rumsfeld believed incorrectly that 50% of the estimated level was appropriate to hold the nation of Iraq secure.

Now, after 2000 injured and 400+ dead, the Secretary of Defense is sent to Japan during the very week when CentCom is redeploying to Qatar.

Okinawa's governor is not the issue for Rumsfeld. The real issue is why did the WH send Rummy to Japan when CentCom is redeploying to the gulf.

The way I see it, the WH and the POTUS have got some priorities straight with the SecDef.

They appear to be taking control of the Iraq policy matters and sending Rummy to Japan to get the Japanese to send troops to Iraq.

Your question is a great one. Where is Secretary Powell?

Shouldn't Mr. Powell be the "diplomat" doing this work with the Japanese rather than Sec. Rumsfeld?

[goodnesswins]

We hosted a Japanese exchange student (15 year old girl) from Okinawa (Kin Town) for a month this summer....her parents were willing to send her half way across the world to unknown American parents......I guess they don't hate ALL of us.....