Clinton Gets Big Welcome on Ship

As President Clinton descended from a helicopter onto the hot, black flight deck of the berthed U.S. aircraft carrier Independence on Wednesday, thousands of sailors in dress blues went wild.

Sailors from ships that operate out of this port city south of Tokyo--including the only American carrier based outside the U.S.--waved tiny American flags, cheered and hoisted themselves on friends’ shoulders, straining for a glimpse of the president.

Fresh from a series of high-profile meetings in Tokyo reaffirming the importance of the U.S.-Japan security alliance, Clinton heaped praise and encouragement on the sailors.

“Without you, the stability and prosperity of this region would be endangered,” Clinton told the sea of sailors assembled before him--mostly men in starched, white dixie cup hats. “With you here, Asia is more secure, and so is America.”

In recent months, U.S. military forces in Japan have faced a morale-damaging wave of resentment among the Japanese public, triggered by the brutal abduction and rape of a 12-year-old Okinawan schoolgirl in September. Three U.S. servicemen were convicted in the incident.

Against this background, Clinton’s words of praise were especially welcome, prompting hollers, whistles and grateful applause.

Chris Banayed, 30, of the amphibious command ship Blue Ridge, based at Yokosuka, pressed to the front, camcorder in hand, wife at his side, to record the moment.

“I’m really excited. I’m filming all of this. This is the first time I’ve ever seen the president personally,” said Banayed, standing on his toes as he strained to get the president on home video.

Almost every sailor clutched some kind of camera, and they thronged Clinton as he made his way across the flight deck, shaking hands and offering words of encouragement. First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton drew perhaps the biggest cheer of the day when she put on her Independence baseball cap.

“It’s nice to know someone notices us,” said Abram Soto, 36, of San Antonio. “We’re so far away.”

Many sailors said the highly publicized rape has resulted in a palpable increase in anti-American sentiment around bases and in the Tokyo area. There were demonstrations in Yokosuka, and attitudes among the Japanese have changed, sailors say.

“Since the rape, they look at us different,” said Rondell Newson, 20, of Atlanta. “When we get in a train, they jump out of the way. You can feel it. It’s like you’re being stripped down by their eyes.”

Three weeks ago, the Independence, or “Indy,” as the sailors affectionately refer to the ship, steamed into the global spotlight as it headed for the Taiwan Strait amid escalating tensions between a missile-firing Beijing and a Taiwan about to vote.

The sailors said Clinton’s visit showed that someone notices their hard work and reminded them of their role in the region.

Steve Keith, 25, an officer from Springfield, Va., said: “It’s one thing for everyone to say how much everyone at home is grateful for what we are doing. It’s another thing for him to actually come here and tell us. It’s pretty neat.”