Three U.S. servicemen stationed at Okinawa are wanted in connection with the Sept. 4 abduction and rape attack.

Police in Nagasaki, meanwhile, sent a case involving a U.S. sailor to prosecutors.

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Ronald Hubert, 32, is suspected of having repeatedly exposed himself to shoolgirls. He is being detained by U.S. authorities at the Sasebo naval base. Hubert is stationed on board the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship Blue Ridge.

Under the bilateral Status of Forces Agreement, which covers cases where U.S. servicemen are suspected of violating Japanese laws, the three Okinawa suspects will remain in the custody of U.S. military authorities until officially indicted in Japan.

"If prosecutors indict the U.S. servicemen, they will immediately be extradited to the Japanese authorities," said Home Affairs Minister Takashi Fukaya.

The three rape suspects are Navy Seaman Marcus D. Gill, 22, of Jasper, Tex.; Marine Pfc. Kendrick M. Ledet, 20, of Waycross, Ga.; and Marine Pfc. Rodrico Harp, 21, of Griffin, Ga.

The suspects were apprehended and arrested on Sept. 4 the abduction and rape of a 12-year-old girl on the southernmost Japanese island of Okinawa.

The crime has sparked anti-U.S. sentiment in Okinawa and has triggered calls by Japanese politicians for a revision of a long- standing agreement on the Status of Forces Agreement, in effect since 1957.

The Okinawa Prefectural Assembly has called for a review of the agreement.

Analysts point out that U.S. officials have reacted quickly in an attempt to diffuse a politically damaging case, particularly if suspects are convicted.

"It is outrageous, inexcusable," U.S. Ambassador Walter Mondale said Thursday. "We are ashamed and we apologize."

Even President Bill Clinton offered an apology in a radio address from Los Angeles in which he said he "deeply regretted" the incident and suggested that the United States was ready to review the SOFA agreement.

Clinton's candor was welcomed by Japanese politicians concerned over repercussions in the sensitive case.

"We welcome this statement," said Chief Cabinet Secretary Koken Nosaka. Still, others are outraged by the incident.

"The anger of the Okinawan people has started moving the thick wall, " said activist Giichi Nakasone, who organizing rallies to protest the handling of the case.

Nakasone's reference to a "wall" means the difficulty of prosecuting such cases under the bilateral agreement, which many Japanese believe protects U.S. U.S. servicemen from Japanese laws.

About 30,000 U.S. personnel are stationed in Okinawa and U.S. military authorities there said they have reported receiving some threats of violence against Americans.

The U.S. Mariathy and concern for the victim and her family from the Amercican community here."

"Their concern and desire to help are a genuine expression of the outrage people feel," Stivers said.

To protect the victims identity, donations will be given to the office of the mayor of Okinawa and later presented to the family, the Marine Corps said.

--UPI

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