November 1, 1995
Web posted at: 11:45 a.m. EST (1645 GMT)
From Correspondent May Lee
TOKYO (CNN) -- Early morning smiles and handshakes veiled the seriousness at hand for U.S. Defense Secretary William Perry and his Japanese counterparts Wednesday.
Their objective: To hammer out an acceptable plan to realign U.S. bases on Okinawa, while maintaining the bilateral security alliance.
The rape of a 12-year-old girl on the tropical Japanese island in September has intensified public protest against the American military presence there. Three U.S. servicemen accused of the crime go on trial next week. Okinawa was administered by the United States until 1972 and now hosts 26,000 American troops.
What was achieved during Wednesday's talks was confirmation of the long-standing policy. "We will maintain the U.S. Japan Security Alliance and improve the quality of that alliance," said Japanese Defense Minister Seishiro Eto.
Perry added, "We also agreed that it's vital to support the alliance, that the U.S. maintain a forward deployed military presence of 100,000 troops in the Asia Pacific region, and 47,000 in Japan."
The only new development from the talks is a plan to create a commission that will discuss ways to realign and consolidate bases on Okinawa. The deadline to finalize proposals is set for December 31.
The lack of any immediate commitments on the part of the Japanese and U.S. governments is not likely to sit well with Okinawans, who say they are sick and tired of bearing the burden of the Security Alliance.
But with the United States determined to maintain a military presence in Japan, some say it's up to the Japanese government to smooth things over with the public.
"If you have a strong prime minister here who can direct public opinion and also can direct public opinion on Okinawa, then we can be successful," said Masashi Nishihara of the National Institute for Defense Studies. "But if government in Tokyo mishandles the issue, then it can go on for some time."
Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama, who has been criticized for his lack of direction on the issue, will have a chance to redeem himself when he meets with President Clinton in Tokyo later this month.
Both leaders are expected to emphasize what has already been said: that the Security Alliance must stand in order to ensure peace in a potentially volatile region.
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