September 15, 1995
Web posted at: 11:30 p.m. EDT (0330 GMT)

TOKYO (CNN) - U.S. Marines in Okinawa have suspended a scheduled firing drill after three Marines were accused of abducting and raping an elementary school girl September 4.

Cmdr. Gen. Wayne E. Rollings issued the announcement Thursday. In a written statement, he said the drill would be canceled to express regret and sorrow over the incident. A field firing drill had been scheduled from September 18-21 in the northern region of Okinawa Island.

It is not clear whether the three suspects will be handed over to Japanese authorities or if the U.S. armed forces will assume jurisdiction. In past criminal cases, some U.S. military personnel have been turned over to Japanese authorities to face trial under Japanese laws.

Rollings said the commanders of U.S. forces in Japan had met to discuss what steps to take to prevent similar incidents. Observers say it is unusual for U.S. forces in Japan to cancel a military drill following an incident of alleged misconduct by its personnel.

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