Abduction, Rape Charges Clear Way For Japanese Custody Of Servicemen Alleged Actions Against Girl, 12, Have Sparked Weeks Of Protests

Three U.S. servicemen were charged Friday with abducting and raping a 12-year-old girl, clearing the way for their delivery to Japanese authorities as protesters nationwide have vehemently demanded.

The rape has caused a major uproar on Okinawa, one of the United States’ most important military outposts in the Pacific, and generated a nationwide debate over whether Japan should revise the terms under which 45,000 U.S. troops are stationed in this country.

Charged Friday were Marine Pfc. Rodrico Harp, 21, of Griffin, Ga.; Pfc. Kendrick M. Ledet, 20, of Waycross, Ga.; and Navy Seaman Marcus D. Gill, 22, of Woodville, Texas.

The charges were filed this morning at the Naha District Court. Marine spokesmen had no immediate comment but have promised to cooperate fully with the Japanese authorities.

Authorities believe the three abducted the girl Sept. 4 near her home, threw her into the back of a rented van and bound her with electrical tape. They drove her to a beach, where they raped her, police say.

Local police sought custody of the three shortly after the rape was reported, but their request was denied by the U.S. Marines, who cited a bilateral agreement that gives U.S. forces custody over personnel suspected in crimes until formal charges are filed.

Military officials had otherwise cooperated with Japanese investigators, allowing the suspects to be questioned daily by local police. But many Okinawans saw their refusal to turn over the suspects as evidence of military arrogance and insensitivity.

Hoping to soothe Okinawan anger, U.S. Ambassador Walter Mondale, Defense Secretary William Perry and President Clinton have offered apologies and vowed to prevent more such violence.

Marine Maj. Gen. Wayne Rollings, the top commander on Okinawa, has declared next Wednesday a “day of reflection” and said routine training would be replaced by a full day of discussions on the military’s standards of conduct and host nation sensitivities.

Roughly 30,000 U.S. troops, most Marines, are stationed on Okinawa, which lies between Japan’s main islands and Taiwan. Nearly three-quarters of all bases used exclusively by the United States are concentrated on Okinawa.

Because of its proximity to southeast Asia, China and the Korean Peninsula, Okinawa is a crucial strategic outpost for the United States.

Japan’s media have covered the dispute aggressively, and dozens of city and prefectural governments have issued resolutions condemning the crime and calling for a revision of the security pact.

Both Tokyo and Washington have stressed that they do not want the storm to affect security ties. Both sides fear a review of the pact, particularly at a time when public emotions are high.

The gap between national policy and local reality is clear on Okinawa, however.

As thousands of Okinawans took to the streets earlier this week in the largest anti-U.S. military protest there in years, Japanese officials signed an agreement in New York boosting Japan’s financial commitment to the support of the U.S. troops.

Japan pays roughly $5 billion annually for the U.S. troops here.