Opinion

Who Will Watch the Watchers?

By DOUGLAS LUMMIS

Naha. "But who will watch the watchers?" This simple, ancient question goes right to the heart of the paradox of trying to guarantee security through force of arms. The questioner asks, "You say these soldiers are here to protect us. But who will protect us against the soldiers?"

The question applies well to the situation in Okinawa. The people of Okinawa have no experience, no historical memory, of any military organization ever contributing to their security. It is said that when, in the 1870s, the Tokyo government announced it was going to station troops in Okinawa, the last Ryukyu king argued that this would only bring war to these peaceful islands. The Tokyo government scoffed, and built bases.

Of course it was these bases that were the "magnet" that brought in the Steel Typhoon, the terrible Battle of Okinawa, in which around a quarter of the population was killed. Notoriously, many of those were killed by Japanese soldiers, when they got in the way.

From that day to this, Okinawa has been the site of huge U.S. military bases. The presence of these bases forced the people to be involved (as base workers, etc.) in the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the Gulf War, wars that had no connection with their interests. And all during the Cold War Okinawa was a priority target ("magnet") for a Soviet nuclear attack. This is not despite the bases, but because of them.

How about today? At the recent (June 29 - July 2) Okinawa International Conference on People's Security, an Okinawan asked the delegate from China an impolite question: "You say the chances of war between China and the United States are small. But if such a war starts, will Okinawa be the target of a Chinese nuclear attack?"

The Chinese delegate took a long time to answer. The gist of his answer was: "As I said before, such a war is unlikely, so don't worry." In other words, "Yes."

Of course. This is the "common sense" of military "security."

In the meantime, the Okinawan people feel a direct threat to their daily security from the GIs. I am writing just before the Okinawa Summit (though by the time you read this the summit will be over). Almost every day Okinawan newspapers have front-page news about GI misbehavior : angry Marines kicking taxis, drunk drivers destroying property, hit-and-runaccidents, and of course the famous case of the drunk Marine who broke into a family's house and fondled the 14- year-old daughter while she slept.

The U.S. military is desperately trying to prevent any more big incidents "before the summit." The discipline/oppression on the bases is fierce.Undoubtedly it is having a reverse effect as well, causing frustration and resentment among the GIs. What will happen next (in particular, after the summit is over)? No one knows. But anyone who tries to persuade an Okinawan that the U.S. troops are here to protect their security is likely to be met with a blank stare.

Shukan ST: July 28, 2000

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