U.S. Plans to Pursue Accused Deserter (Charles Jenkins--N. Korea)

[bluestateguy]

U.S. Plans to Pursue Accused Deserter

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040715/ap_on_re_as/japan_alleged_deserter&cid=516&ncid=716

TOKYO - The United States plans to pursue a case against accused Army deserter Charles Jenkins, but might not demand he be turned over immediately to American custody if he comes to Japan, the U.S. ambassador said Thursday.

Ambassador Howard Baker's comments, to a small group of journalists at the U.S. Embassy, came as Japanese officials — including Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi — said the 64-year-old American, who allegedly fled his post to communist North Korea (news - web sites) in 1960s, should be taken to Japan for medical treatment.

Japanese media reported that Jenkins could come to Japan as soon as Sunday. Officials at the Foreign Ministry and a Cabinet Office task-force handling the case, however, said that nothing had been decided yet.

"We are still trying to make final arrangements" for Jenkins's visit, said Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda. Asked how soon Tokyo would reach a decision, Hosoda said: "It will be soon."

more

[Zech Marquis]

1. leave the man alone!

H's in his 60s, not doing too well at the moment, and exactly WHAT will the BFEE get from charging him wit going AWOL anyway? I guess the difference is that Jenkins didn't have a dad who was ex CIA cheif, ex VP and President :grr:

[saigon68]

2. WTF nice use of tax dollars

[struggle4progress]

3. (Japanese) Govt to keep prodding U.S.

Yomiuri Shimbun

The government plans to continue negotiations with the United States to seek special consideration for Charles Jenkins, the American husband of former abductee Hitomi Soga, after he comes to Tokyo for medical treatment, possibly as soon as Sunday, a government source said Thursday.

U.S. officials have indicated they intend to demand that Jenkins be handed over to be charged with desertion from the U.S. Army and other crimes even if he comes to Japan to receive medical treatment.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/newse/20040716wo41.htm

[struggle4progress]

4. Diplomatic spat looming over US army 'deserter'

By Shawn Donnan in Jakarta and David Ibison in Tokyo
Published: July 16 2004 23:02 | Last Updated: July 16 2004 23:02

<snip>
Japanese officials said that the former sergeant, who disappeared while leading a patrol near the North Korean border in 1965, would fly to Tokyo on Sunday for emergency medical treatment.
<snip>

"We intend to request custody when we have the legal opportunity to do so," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher told a briefing on Thursday.

People who have met Mr Jenkins in Jakarta said yesterday he had expressed a wish to settle permanently in Japan with his wife and two daughters.

Domestic political concerns in both the US and Japan have complicated the Jenkins affair. Junichiro Koizumi, Japan's prime minister, has been praised for securing the release of citizens abducted by North Korea and the story of Mrs Soga's separation from her husband and daughters has been the focus of intense public interest.
<snip>

http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/FullStory&c=StoryFT&cid=1087373787589


U.S. envoy advises Jenkins to get a lawyer
The Asahi Shimbun

Charles Jenkins, the accused U.S. Army deserter husband at the heart of a saga involving repatriated abductee Hitomi Soga, should get a lawyer and seek a plea bargain with U.S. authorities once his medical problems are over, U.S. Ambassador Howard Baker said Friday.

Baker brushed aside Jenkins' concerns that he might face capital punishment if he is found guilty by a U.S. military court, sources said.

He said it would be best if Jenkins turned himself in and asked for a plea bargain after discussing his case with both Japanese and U.S. attorneys, sources said.
<snip>

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda said, ``I think it is Mr. Baker's personal advice and not an official statement of the U.S. government.''
<snip>

http://www.asahi.com/english/nation/TKY200407170163.html


U.S. May Delay Seeking Charges for Ex-Soldier
Sat Jul 17, 2004 12:39 AM ET

<snip>
"I acknowledged that...the U.S. government is sympathetic to his health condition and that Sergeant Jenkins' medical condition may delay our request for his transfer to U.S. custody," Baker said after meeting Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi.

He added that there are no plans for U.S. officials to see Jenkins, who will be taken to hospital upon arriving in Tokyo, at any time in "the immediate future."

But Baker reiterated Washington's view that Jenkins, a native of North Carolina, had deserted.

"The U.S. government has the right to request custody...and will do so at the appropriate time," he said.
<snip>

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=5696260

<edit: delete duplicate line>