February 13, 2008
The Honorable George W. Bush
President of the United States
Consul General Kevin Maher
United States Consulate General in Naha, Okinawa
Lt. Gen. Richard C. Zilmer
US Military's Okinawa Area Coordinator
We protest the sexual violence against an Okinawan girl by a U.S.
Marine
We demand withdrawal of the U.S. military from Okinawa
We, people of Okinawa, particularly women, are outraged at another
heinous crime committed by a U.S. serviceman on February 10th, 2008.
We have been imposed the burden of hosting U.S. military and bases.
For long 62 years, the lives of women and children in Okinawa have
been made insecure by the presence of the U.S. military and bases.
The fact that the perpetrator took the victim from city center where
local residents spend their leisure time on holidays and weekends,
demonstrates the close proximity between our daily life and the
violence and danger caused by the U.S. military. The perpetrator, a
Marine who belongs to Camp Courtney lives outside of the base in a
local residential area. Why should U.S. soldiers be allowed to
freely enter a residential area at any time? Why is a safe
environment for children and women not assured in Okinawa? The fear
of the victim, the anger of her family, the shock and anxiety of the
local residents are all immeasurable.
The U.S. military has promised over and over "the requirement for
the highest standards of conduct," every time a crime was committed.
It is evident that these promises resulted in nothing. It needs to
be reminded that in the past, during long weekends such as
Independence Day weekend, many girls were revealed to the violence
if U.S. soldiers. Behind the crimes that have been made public are
many more women and children who could not speak out about the
violence they were exposed to.
We call for withdrawal of the U.S. military in order to abolish such
violence. We argue that the military is a violence-intrinsic
institution. And true security cannot be realized by the military in
our community nor between nations.
We demand:
careful and adequate psychological care of the victim,
apology and compensation to the victim,
strict punishment of the perpetrator,
tighter discipline and control over soldiers living in off-base
housings.
The realignment and transformation of the US-Japan military alliance
will only intensify the functions of the U.S. bases in Okinawa. We
demand withdrawal of the U.S. military from Okinawa and closure of
the U.S. bases in Okinawa.
Co-chairs, (Ms.) TAKAZATO Suzuyo, (Ms.) ITOKAZU Keiko
Okinawa Women Act Against Military Violence
3-29-41-102 Kumoji, Naha, Okinawa, 900-0015
Ph. Fax. 098-864-1539
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