LEAD: Jenkins meets U.S. military lawyers for 2nd day

0 Comments | Asian Political News, August 9, 2004

TOKYO, Aug. 6 Kyodo

(EDS: ADDING INFO)

Alleged U.S. Army deserter Charles Jenkins, whose wife is repatriated Japanese abductee Hitomi Soga, met a U.S. military lawyer from South Korea for a second day Friday in Tokyo, Japanese sources said.

The Japanese government has not released details of the meetings held on Thursday and Friday between Jenkins and the independent defense lawyer, Capt. James Culp, at a Tokyo hospital, but the lawyer is believed to be confirming whether Jenkins will seek a plea bargain to reduce or dodge punishment.

A Japanese government source said Friday that the only option Jenkins has is to seek a plea bargain and that he is also aware of it.

A senior U.S. official has said the United States hopes to obtain information on other U.S. soldiers missing in North Korea.

The Japanese government believes the United States may agree to a plea bargain in exchange for such information, the Japanese sources said.

A source familiar with Japan-U.S. relations also said Jenkins has suggested in his meetings with Japanese government officials that he has confidential information such as the existence of a facility in North Korea where South Korean prisoners of war are detained.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda said Friday that Japan hopes for a quick resolution to the issue involving Jenkins, alluding to a plea bargain.

The government sources said that even if Jenkins is court-martialed, a final decision on him will be made in about a month.

Jenkins, a U.S. Army sergeant who has been hospitalized in Tokyo since arriving from North Korea via Jakarta on July 18, is charged with desertion, aiding the enemy, encouraging disloyalty and soliciting other personnel to desert.

The United States says Jenkins crossed the border between North and South Korea in 1965 while serving near the demilitarized zone. But his relatives in the United States reject that allegation, saying he was abducted by North Korea.

So far the United States has refrained from immediately seeking custody as Jenkins is still in hospital. But U.S. Ambassador to Japan Howard Baker had told Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi that Washington is ready to exercise its right to seek custody of him under the bilateral Status of Forces Agreement.

Although it is calling on the United States to give ''humanitarian consideration,'' the Japanese government has advised Jenkins to accept a plea bargain.