Image provided by: Texas A&M University
About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (July 3, 2001)
Page 8 WORLD Tuesday...: THE BATTALION Warrant issued for sergeant accused of raj OKINAWA CITY, Japan (AP) — A court issued an arrest warrant Monday against a U.S. Air Force sergeant sus pected of raping an Okinawan woman against the side of a car in a trendy tourist area. Japanese authorities moved with unusual swiftness for an arrest warrant against the suspect, identified by po lice as Timothy B. Woodland. Police said he denied involvement during questioning. Only once before has a suspected American serviceman been turned over to Japanese custody before indictment. This would be the first time on Oki nawa, home to the largest U.S. military base in Asia. The island’s governor, Keiichi In amine, said authorities had sought a warrant — issued by a district court — “to get the process moving as soon as possible.” “This is a vicious crime that violates human rights, and is absolutely unfor givable,” Inamine said. The attack has revived anger among Okinawa residents over the presence of some 26,000 U.S. troops on the southern Japanese island — though it has not raised the sort of mass protests sparked by the rape of a 12-year-old schoolgirl by three Amer ican servicemen six years ago. It was not clear when Woodland — identified as a 24-year-old staff sergeant at Kadena Air Base — would be trans ferred to Okinawan custody. He has been questioned by Japanese police for four straight days, but was held in U.S. military custody. Police did not identi fy his hometown. According to police, an Okinawan woman in her 20s was raped by Wood land at around 2 a.m. Friday after she had been drinking with friends in a nightclub at American Village, an area known for its bars and boutiques in the town of Chatan. Police said she was forced against the side of a car in a parking lot and raped. Several other Americans were at the scene, but were not suspected of any wrongdoing and may have tried to stop the rape. “We are seeing this as a single-suspect crime,” said Police Chief Koshin Iraha. U.S. service personnel suspected of a crime are usually kept in U.S. military custody until charges are formally pressed against them. The only other time an American serviceman was handed over before his indictment was in July 1996, when Terrence Swanson was arrested in Nagasaki prefecture on the mainland on suspicion of attempt ed murder of a woman. He later plead ed guilty and was sentenced to 13 years in prison. If charged, Woodland would likely be tried in a Japanese court and could face a maximum life sentence, though three to five years would be a more common sentence if he were convicted. Virtually all cases that go to court in Japan end with convictions. Okinawans have long complained about crimes related to the heavy con centration of U.S. troops here, and the 1995 rape prompted tens of thousands to take to the streets demanding reduc tions in the U.S presence. Reaction to the latest allegations has been more subdued. “It’s awful, but people overreact,” said Akemi H; who works at a women’s d in the American Milage. However, leaders in Chatan would seek a curfew for sonnel. And Japan’s foreign demanded Washington take boost discipline at U.S. base: ‘T he occurrence of such acr: tremely regrettable. It shouldiJT fG S er happened,” MakikoTanatjpg int( Despite the sensitivities,liH y ^j| ^ ^ ton and Tokyo agree that tkfe, xas f res can troops on Okinawa areajj&hg fj re | tor in assuring regional seen i vere |y b ur forces — including the largestla high-ris' gent of Marines outside the ujlding foi States — are within close ators said' China, North Korea, RusJjjtfire dep Southeast Asia. Bor Haje | Bic and ustible me 'mk uper ummer avings BBO BVFFET DINE IN/CARRY-OUT 979-779-BQUE (2783) I I 506 Sulphur Springs J I block behind Bryan Long John Silver | i i Buy 3 buffets get I Free OR GET ONE DOLLAR OFF BUPPY’S BBQ BUFFET | ~vJ AMI? j ~X 7" i Defensive Driving with a Punch (Line)! (Only S25 with Coupon) USA IroirVng CO. tic. C0928 /la' 1 firev viing roo Bid a pr iur led pap Bn at Uni I school's Bhe 1 8-) ■was desc i "happy-g Bs often Brijuana Int too h B report: BCalls to 1 ananswerei ^Officials smoke inha showed his ■was .11 limit of .08 f. His room wardy, a 2 more from second-anc over 45 per ! Accordin jee had reti shortly befc A security g cause he di< N I DEFENSIVE DRIVING ... COMEDY STYLE •Convenient Saturday dosses •State-approved for ticket dismissal/insurance reduction •Taught by professional comic Bobby Bemshausen '90 •Aggie Owned and Operated»Held at 4.0&Go Tutoring •www.gnnandtakert.com I l Rutgers membe I To register, call 778-GRIN (778-4746) I I PRO-NAILS | MANICURE & PEDICURE and Ttail &vie NOW ACCEPTING AGGIE BUCKS! OFFER GOOD AT THIS LOCATION ONLY. We Carry OP! Polishes SPECIALS JACUZZI ! *23.00 f REFILL *10.00 1 SPA PEDICURE *20.00 FULL SET *20.00 I w/couponi., 1919 S. Texas Ave. 1 College Station, TX 77840 . (979) 696-7250 I 'IS (across from El Chico) * La a m mmmm a ■ a —— a a — a mmmm a ornmm a mmmm a mm a >aj Appt. & Walk-ins Welcome Monday - Friday 9 am - 8 pm Saturday 9 am - 7 pm Freshly made Sandwiches, Soups & Desserts I I FREE CHIP & DRINK! w/purchase of any sandwich I I Present coupon before ordering Expires 07/31/01 2416 Texas Ave. S • College Station 696-DELI Fax: 693-6606 I I Hours: 10 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Mon.-Sat. Delivery available. $20 minimum ' I, NEW BRl . K Two forn ?all players ■erwho sa o do nakei _ . mm . mm > mmm • —* S|t' their fc ippellate cc a MM a MM a mm a mm a mm a mm a MM a M_ . Mi . —'BThe dCC i A A T 1 TV 1 ‘ |// overtu AM i Defensive Drilp /■ankes, am Lot-of-fcin, Laugh-a-lot ^ Carlos IThe nuc ■e-throw Ticket dismissal, insurance discount. M.-Tki. (6 p.m.-9 p.m.) or W.-Th. (6 p.m.-9 p.m.), luhrig a Fri. (6 p.m.-8 p.m.) & Sat. (10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.) iractice T! or Sat. (8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.) Ifyd a pie Lowest price allowed by law. $25 Cash v ||y m ' s s 111 Univ. Dr., Ste. 217 846-6117 ai,i the y * (In Bank of America. Next to Black Eyed Pea.) Walk-ins welcome. Arrive 30 minutes early. 3 FREE TANS PLANET BEACH 1800 S. Texas Ave., Suite D (Next to Harvey Wash bangers) College Station 979-694-1103 • a/c in all beds • am/fm CD Stereo First time guests only. Must present coupon @ I” visit. . Now accepting Aggie Bucks. Expires 08/07/01 mJ top at unc Pn 1999, cpo,?.: oach Kevii — • -’istant coai P athletii —-•-chool, ch ||lations. Ifrhe app he three i Experience the experienced, not the J 101 Kowak experiment of automotive service. he other cl Bannon, 4 Tire Balance Free Bflancife" & r anefl^tifer CarDoc 204 A Harvey Rd. College Station Htely, this w/ wheel atfgnmenivhat it is, v aid his age ilW • IMKMM V MMMM lwbuck3912@aol.com STUDENT SPECIAL! Golf Course Present your student I.D. and receive a Greenfee and cart for just $ 14.75. Week of July 4 th Spectacular! Discounted greenfees & carts. Call for other discounts, This offer is good after 3:00 p.m. on Monday thru Thursday. Student rates available on weekends after 10:00 a.m. American Golf Corporation® COFFEE STATION I -The Ultimate Hangout- 907-A Harvey Rd. (Next to the TAP) 7 am - 1 am Seven Days a Week I Buy one Drink, Get one ! 1/2 OFF ! | Present this coupon at time of purchase and receive a second drink for 1/2 OFF! | Not good with any other offers. Void if duplicated or copied. Exp. 08/31/01. 694-2844 Come and Get It! Enjoy some Real Texas Bar-B-Q 25% OFF When you present this ad 504 Harvey Road 696-7383 Valid until August 31, 2001 • Rudy’s accepts the Aggie Card