STATEMENT BY DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM J. PERRY REGARDING ADMIRAL RICHARD C.MACKE, U.S. NAVY, COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, U.S. PACIFIC COMMAND

Admiral Macke acknowledged that he made a serious mistake today in his comment about the defendants in the Okinawa rape case.

This evening, Admiral Macke and I discussed the comment and its impact on our valued relations with Japan and Okinawa. We decided that his lapse of judgment was so serious that he would be unable to perform effectively his duties as Commander-In-Chief of U.S. Forces in the Pacific. As a result, Admiral Macke offered to retire, and I accepted his early retirement.

This was a difficult decision for me and for Admiral Macke. He has served his Navy and his country with distinction during a 35-year career. Admiral Macke realizes that he made an error and has apologized. But the obstacles he faces in working effectively with the government and the people of Japan in the future left no other choice.