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U.S. Shelters a Suspected Arsonist in Okinawa

Lawmakers of the Chatan town assembly stand to vote, calling for the withdrawal of all U.S. Marines from Okinawa island, during an extraordinary session in southern Japan, Thursday, Feb. 15. Photo by Associated Press.

U.S. military refuses to hand over Marine to Japanese police

By Associated Press

U.S. military authorities on Okinawa refused to hand over to Japanese police a Marine wanted on suspicion of arson, police said on Feb. 13.

Capt. Douglas Powell, a spokesman for the U.S. Marines on Okinawa, said he was “not ready to respond,” but would comment later.

Prefectural (state) police said on Feb. 13 that they obtained an arrest warrant for Kurt K. Billie, 23, a Marine stationed at Camp Hansen, whom they suspect in two arson fires last month. Japanese police gave his rank as private first class. They had no hometown for him.

Police made a formal request on Feb. 13 for the Marines to allow them to arrest Billie, but it was rejected, spokesman Takaharu Shimada said. He said he did not know why.

U.S. military authorities are required to hand over personnel suspected of crimes in Japan only after they have been formally charged by prosecutors. But following public outrage after three U.S. servicemen raped a 12-year-old girl in 1995, the countries agreed that authorities would give favorable consideration to making suspects available to Japanese police before they were charged in cases involving a serious crime.

The southern Japanese island of Okinawa is home to nearly two-thirds of the 47,000 American military personnel stationed in Japan.

Lt. Gen. Earl B. Hailston, accompanied by U.S. Consul General Timothy Betts, met with Okinawa Gov. Keiichi Inamine on the evening of Feb. 13, said Atsushi Shinzato, an official in the Okinawa government office.

Hailston apologized for the situation, saying he understood that the Japanese people were concerned about the transfer of the suspect to police custody, Shinzato said.

Foreign Minister Yohei Kono issued a statement urging the United States to turn over the suspect, and noting a string of recent incidents involving U.S. servicemen on Okinawa.

Last week, Hailston, the top Marine on Okinawa, apologized repeatedly for reportedly referring to local officials as “nuts” and “wimps” in an e-mail.

In January, one U.S. servicemen was arrested in Okinawa on suspicion of breaking a bar owner’s finger during a brawl, and another was arrested for allegedly sneaking up on a 16-year-old girl, lifting her skirt, taking photos and molesting her.

In July, a U.S. Marine was arrested after walking into an unlocked apartment in Okinawa City, crawling into the bed of a 14-year-old girl and fondling her. The girl’s mother, awakened by her screams, reported finding the drunken, half-naked Marine atop her daughter.