Hailston vows to curb off-base crime
on Okinawa, but denies talk of curfew
By Mark Oliva, Okinawa
bureau
CAMP FOSTER — The U.S. military’s top-ranking officer on Okinawa is vowing to
work toward eliminating off-base crimes by servicemembers.
But Marine Lt. Gen. Earl B. Hailston denied there was any discussion of a midnight
curfew for troops on the island during a meeting of the Tripartite Liaison Committee on
Friday. The round-table forum consists of U.S. military leaders on Okinawa, the Okinawan
Prefectural government and the government of Japan.
The issue of a midnight curfew arose at a news briefing after the meeting. It was the
first such meeting in 10 months, and Hailston’s final meeting before he leaves to
take a new post as commander, Marine Force Pacific in Hawaii. Marine Maj. Gen. Wallace C.
Gregson will assume Hailston’s post next week.
"I have no idea what you’re talking about," Hailston said, when asked by
reporters on a possible curfew. "That subject was not covered today.
"... At this time I intend to work very closely and very carefully with the
(Joint) Working Team."
The committee acknowledged the U.S. side has committed maximum efforts to prevent
incidents involving alcohol through courtesy patrols, the Liberty Campaign Plan and gate
checks, according to a news statement.
But the statement stopped short of mentioning a midnight curfew proposed by local
mayors and shot down by Air Force Gen. Gary L. North earlier this week.
The Joint Working Team, a group of local business leaders, local elected officials and
U.S. military representatives, brushed aside a similar proposal when it met July 13.
The statement released by the Tripartite Liaison Committee read, "The (Okinawa
Prefectural Government) requested the committee to discuss every feasible, effective
measure, including restrictions on servicemembers going off base late at night that could
ensure the prevention of such incidents and accidents."
But the statement didn’t include any reference to specific solutions, stating only
the "the U.S. side is committed to making maximum efforts in order to prevent
incidents and accidents involving alcohol …"
Okinawa Gov. Keiichi Inamine responded to questions surrounding the curfew by saying
the committee wasn’t the forum in which to discuss possible ways to curb crime.
"I have requested the U.S. military take feasible and effective measures to
prevent recurrence of any incidents or accidents," Inamine said. "Every issue
must be discussed thoroughly at the Joint Working Team. We will continue our maximum
efforts through activities of the Joint Working Team."
Inamine again called for changes to the Status of Forces Agreement in his opening
statements at the meeting.
Inamine pressed the Japanese government and Navy Adm. Dennis Blair earlier this month
on the same issue, referring to the delay in handing over Air Force Staff Sgt. Timothy B.
Woodland for allegedly raping a 24-year-old Okinawan woman June 29.
"The incident in Chatan indicated the limit of operational improvement of
SOFA," Inamine said. "I must again urge the need for change in the provision of
SOFA. I hope that U.S. and Japanese governments would promote a dialogue on this
issue."
The committee also tackled several smaller issues, including environmental concerns on
U.S. bases, notification of incidents and accidents involving U.S. aircraft, surveying for
cultural relics on military bases and promoting U.S.-Okinawa community projects.
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