European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - December 24, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Saturday december 24, 19b8 the stars and stripes exchanging gifts Pope John Paul ii admires the Wood cured nativity scene be re ived from tuner Arafat in an Exchange of gifts. The Pope gave Arafat a Book about the Vatican during the private audience Friday to wis the second meeting in six Yean Between the Pope and the chairman of the Flo. Incidents Lead . To alter training rules for troops in Japan Tokyo up . Military ibises in Japan under attack for err Antly firing bullets into japanese Homes on Okinawa and flying Jet fighters dangerously Tow Over neighbourhoods Friday announced sweeping changes to appease heir hosts along with possible disciplinary action against offenders. Recognizing the need to address the concerns of the people of Okinawa . Forces today announced the closing of Cam Phansin Range six1 to Al live fire training the . Military said in a statement United states forces also announced that f-15 demonstration flights at Kadena air base on Okinawa have been in definitely suspended. Senior . Officials have expressed deep regret Over recent incidents and have emphasized the respect and appreciation american military forces feel for the people of Okinawa and their Cul Ture the statement said. The islands of Okinawa a major Battleground in the closing stages of world War ii thai reverted to japanese control in 1972, have been at the Center of the controversy. The . Forces spokesman in Japan Marine corp. Maj. Anthony Rothfork said an investigation showed that 90 marines were involved in a combat exercise on the Camp Hansen firing Range on oct. 15, when bullets were accidentally fired into the nearby Village of Igei. He said nine rounds from a Rifle were discovered in the Village and surround ing area and two have been linked to . Japanese authorities said some of the bullets were found in Homes and gardens and along a Highway although there were no injuries. Asked if disciplinary action would be taken against offenders Rothfork said the investigation is  the spokesman said the weapons were not aimed at the Village and the incident was not a result of intentional  okinawan also have complained about noisy training nights of americanf-15 fighters Over their Homes and Fields which prompted the . Military to halt the flights. The spokesman said . Military officials pledged their units will continue la place the greatest emphasis on Protection of individuals and their property in the conduct of essential military  Junji nishime the governor of Okinawa said the closing of Range six is the right action. We Aiso regard the decision no Slop the demonstration flights As a consideration of the feelings of Okinawa residents. It is inc appropriate  there have been a rash of incidents involving the 60,000 . Forces stationed in Japan during the Post six months. In november a Navy destroyer fired Pra Clicc shells within 300 Yards of a Jap anese patrol boat near the Mouth of Tokyo Bay resulting in the reassignment of the Captain. Also in november two . Marine helicopters collided during a combat Simu lation on Okinawa killing All four Crew members aboard one of the Craft that crashed. Dod to Widen plan to guarantee rent deposits Wychuck Vlinch Washington Byr a Washington and in department has approved the expansion of a Pilot program that encourages land lords to waive housing Security deposits in return for a guarantee of government payment for potential damages or unpaid rent. Each military service now has the authority to approve such agreements worldwide with landlords on behalf of  seeking off base rental housing according to a dec. 9 Mem signed by Jack Karlzen assistant Secre tary of defense for production and Logis tics. ."., the test program begun in May 1987 at the urging of rep. Leon Panetta d Calif., was done at of leu Field Calif., Luke fab am and fort Ord Calif. Defense department figures show thai when the test ended in August 1987, a total of 1,856 Security Deposit agreements totalling almost si.3 million were signed with various  guarantees averaged about $700 each. Ita Servic member left without paying portion of the rent or without paying for any damages 10 the unit the govern ment paid the landlord and then took the Money out of the  s pay Check. A total of $31,735 was paid out by the government and later recouped Dur ing the lest period. The Dod guidelines say that the amount the government is authorized to pay landlords can t exceed the Normal Security Deposit. The guarantee is Good up to the regu Lar is Mouth that the landlord would chaise any tenant a Pentagon official said. A the dec. 9 memo is Only the first step in implementing the program the offi Cial said. The military services must How develop their own operating guidelines. In the memo Katzin said the test revealed a number of potential problem areas such As administrative costs the additional Burden on Legal and financial assistance offices and costs associated with losses resulting from Money that can t be recouped because a Scricc member is absent without leave in the stockade or chartered out of the Mili tary the official admitted that it Wilt be a while before the program gets rolling. There s no Money for it at ins to men is Aid. The services will have to find the Money in existing resource this year and then Alk Congress for funds As part of their budgets next  said there May be other problems overseas particularly in the Orient where a tight housing Market allows some landlords to charge exorbitant Security deposits several thousand Dol Lars in some cases that arc far beyond what might reasonably be expected to cover the property against damage. Although the. Dod guidelines Don t mention a Dollar limit for the guarantees installation commanders simply May choose not 10 put the program into of Eccl in cases where landlords clearly Are asking for unreasonable fees the official said. ". Convicted of rape loses bid for mistrial by Daryle  Lautem Bureau Sembach a West Germany. An air Force sergeant sentenced in october to five years in prison for rape sodomy and indecent acts with his stepdaughter lost a possible bid for Freedom when his motion for a mistrial was denied the motion denied wednesday was prompted by an Anonymous letter claiming a jury member had acted improperly during the sergeant s trial which concluded oct. 19. The letter prompted capt. Mark b. Dfvereaux the defense counsel to request the Post trial review. The stars and stripes is withholding the sergeant s name to protect the identity of the victim. The unsigned letter stated that the son of one of the jurors had told classmates at school that his parents Fiad discussed the trial at Home prior to its conclusion. The juror maj. Clarence m. Oliver of Simbach s 66th electronic control Wing testified during the re View that his wife had slated that in her opinion the no might not be Innocentoliver said he immediately told his wife that he was not allowed to discuss the Case and demanded that she not talk about it in his presence however Oliver said he did answer his wife s questions about the age of the victim when the victim s Mother and Stepfather mar ried and when the victim arrived in Germany with her Stepfather. " a Maria Oliver who sat in the court us a Spectator through pan of the trial testified at the review that she told her husband i Don t like the Man the no. I Don t like his eyes v maj. Edward m. Starr the military judge who pre sided Over both the trial and review said 9 Var clearly had ignored court instructions by answering his wife s questions. However he ruled answering the questions did not prejudice Oliver s position As a juror  argued  Oliver s wife was really trying to persuade her husband to feel As she did. You Don t think that the Day after she said 1 Don t like his eyes that major Oliver did t look at his Eyesthe prosecuting attorney maj. P. Michael cunning Ham argued that major Oliver did not let mrs. Oliver become a witness there is no evidence that her statements influenced him in any Wayjudge Starr agreed noting that lie might have ruled differently had Oliver expressed an opinion instead of his Wilc. ?. " the 49-year-old master sergeant who had More than 24 years in the military also was reduced 10 the lowest enlisted Grade ordered to forfeit All pay and allowances and Given a bad conduct discharge. If the mistrial had been granted the government would have had a number of options ranging from trying the no again or setting him free Legal officials said