THE FEW, THE SCARED . .

Two Marines accused of raping a 12-year-old Japanese schoolgirl insist that they participated in the assault only because they were afraid of the third accused rapist and alleged ringleader, Navy Seaman Marcus Gill. Testifying on Tuesday, Gill, 22, retorted that Marines Roderico Harp, 21, and Kendrick Ledet, 20, "left out the parts that made them look bad," as if any account of the brutal rape could excuse the heinous conduct of the U.S. servicemen. Gill's testimony will continue Wednesday. The crime has outraged Okinawans, sparking large demonstrations against the U.S. military presence in Japan. Most of the 47,000 U.S. soldiers in Japan are based on the small island in southern Japan. The three face a maximum penalty of life in prison if convicted. A verdict and sentence are expected in late January. THE MARKETS