Americans on Okinawa report assaults, vandalism

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Americans on Okinawa report assaults, vandalism
By David Allen, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Sunday, March 2, 2008

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — A small group of Okinawans is using the U.S. military-imposed “period of reflection” as an excuse to attack Americans, military officials said Friday.

Several incidents of vandalism and minor assaults have been reported since Marine Lt. Gen. Richard Zilmer placed all American personnel, family members and civilian workers under restriction to the bases or their off-base homes, forbidding most activity in the local community, according to 18th Wing spokeswoman Beth Gosselin.

“We are aware of the incidents and the base is cooperating with the local authorities,” she said. “We believe these are the actions of a small group of individuals that do not reflect the Okinawa community as a whole.”

According to an e-mail obtained by Stars and Stripes that was sent to senior noncommissioned officers on Kadena Air Base on Wednesday, several incidents against Americans have been reported.

Okinawan spouses of American servicemembers reported to base police that paint had been thrown at cars bearing the “Y” license plates. The special plates identify the cars as owned by a person in the country under the U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=52980