General Lectures Troops After Rape Of Schoolgirl

The U.S. Marine Corps commandant led grim-faced troops on Okinawa in a day of reflection Thursday over the rape of a 12-year-old schoolgirl, an attack in which three American servicemen have been charged.

Thousands of Okinawans, meanwhile, marched to demand that the forces be removed from their island, while U.S. and Japanese officials in Tokyo debated the pact governing the 45,000 American troops in Japan.

Gen. Charles Krulak, the Marine commandant, visited bases throughout the day, lecturing thousands of somber troops dressed in green battle fatigues. Usual base activities, such as jet training exercises, were suspended.

Krulak stressed that the rape was an aberration and that most U.S. troops do not violate the law.

“There are over 20,000 Marines and sailors stationed on Okinawa who dedicate enormous time and energy to defending the national security interests of the United States and Japan,” Krulak said. “What you don’t hear about are the unsung heroes who are doing their job - and receiving very little attention - every day.”

About 4,000 demonstrators turned out Thursday for peaceful marches and pickets in front of two U.S. military facilities on Okinawa.

“Anger over the incident will never vanish,” said Nobuko Karimata, a local union leader.

Okinawan officials told a high-ranking defense official Thursday that the prefecture, comprising Japan’s southernmost islands, will not force reluctant landowners to renew leases to U.S. bases.

The central government can still override Okinawa, but the clash has demonstrated how high tensions are running.