Okinawans’ opinions vary on American restrictions

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Okinawans’ opinions vary on American restrictions
By Chiyomi Sumida , Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Monday, March 3, 2008

Okinawans offered mixed reactions Friday to the restrictions imposed on U.S. servicemembers, families and civilians on Okinawa under the status of forces agreement.

“It is not fair for family members to be included in the restriction,” a 40-year-old Chatan hair dresser said.

“Business might hurt, but streets are much safer,” a 42-year-old Chatan resident said.

The period of reflection was set Feb. 20 by Marine Lt. Gen. Richard Zilmer, the senior U.S. officer on Okinawa, after two Marines were arrested by Okinawa police and accused in separate alcohol-fueled crimes. Those incidents followed the alleged rape of a 14-year-old Okinawa girl by a Marine a week earlier. That Marine was released by Japanese police Friday after prosecutors decided not to seek an indictment. A U.S. soldier also is under investigation for an alleged Feb. 17 rape.

The restrictions Zilmer imposed curtail all off-base travel unless it is authorized. The policy applies to all active-duty servicemembers and Defense Department civilians, as well as their families, whether they live on or off base.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=53001