October 31, 1995
Web posted at: 11:20 a.m. EST
TOKYO (CNN) -- The United States is prepared to consider cutting back its military presence on Okinawa. Arriving for security talks with Japanese leaders Tuesday, Defense Secretary William Perry said the Clinton administration is determined to find ways to overcome the anti-military backlash triggered by the rape in September of a 12-year-old girl on Okinawa.
"While we are deeply sorry for the suffering of the schoolgirl and her family, we cannot let this poison our entire relationship," Perry said of last month's incident. "I want to first of all get it in perspective and I want to get it behind us."
Perry said the United States would consider proposals to cut the 26,000 U.S. troops on Okinawa, but insisted that the overall American troop strength in Japan must remain at 46,000 -- the most anywhere in Asia.
Perry called the U.S. troops in Japan the linchpin of U.S. security strategy in the Asia-Pacific region. He said their presence is central to the U.S. security guarantee to Japan as established in a 1960 bilateral security agreement.
Three U.S. servicemen accused of the rape go on trial next week. The crime has intensified public protests against the intrusive American military presence on the tropical Japanese island. Okinawa was administered by the United States from the end of World War II until 1972.
Last week, U.S. officials agreed to a procedural change that would make it more likely that an American accused of rape or murder would be turned over to Japanese authorities without waiting for a formal indictment. The delay in turning over the servicemen was a point of contention for protesters.
In addition, the Pentagon is moving ahead with a series of proposed changes to U.S. military activities on Okinawa, including moving an artillery range that currently requires the shutting down of a public road.
Beyond that, Perry said, the Pentagon is willing to set up a "stronger mechanism" to help work out Okinawans' additional concerns.
Perry said his Tokyo talks also are designed to help pave the way for President Clinton's meeting there in two weeks with Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama. The two leaders are expected to reaffirm their nations' post-Cold War relationship, including the security ties that for years had been taken for granted, but are being questioned now that the Soviet threat no longer exists.
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