Washington signals deal over army deserter

The United States might delay a request for Japan to hand over an accused army deserter, the American ambassador said today, clearing the way for the former sergeant to visit Tokyo for medical treatment.

The remarks by US Ambassador Howard Baker, made after his meeting with Japan’s foreign minister Yoriko Kawaguchi earlier, were the first sign of a tentative accord between Washington and Tokyo over the fate of Charles Jenkins, who allegedly defected to North Korea four decades ago.