Family reunited in media's glare
By Rachel Harvey
BBC correspondent in Jakarta
It's a story that spans four decades and involves the governments of four different countries.
A former American soldier, Charles Jenkins has made his home in North Korea since 1965. Whilst living in the secretive communist state, he met, and married a Japanese woman, Hitomi Soga.
The cameras are trying to follow their every movement
Abducted as a teenager by North Korean agents, she was repatriated to Japan in 2002. But Jenkins stayed behind.
He is accused of desertion by the United States army, and if he had followed her he could have been deported to face a court martial.
So a compromise was sought. Indonesia has no extradition treaty with America, and so it was here that the most unusual of reunions took place.
It's hard to imagine what was going through Charles Jenkins head as his plane touched down in Jakarta.
Global interest
This was the first time he had left North Korea in 40 years. Harder still to read the thoughts of his two daughters, aged 21 and 18 who have never before been outside the secretive communist state.
On the tarmac of an airport in a strange country, the family hugged, and kissed as the tears flowed freely.
The Americans still insist Charles Jenkins has a case to answer, and he could be deported if he lands in Tokyo
Then a two-hour journey through the mayhem of Jakarta's rush hour traffic to face the assembled ranks of the world's media.
A frail looking, grey haired man wearing a grey suit, Charles Jenkins, stared bewildered into a barrage of spotlights and flash bulbs.
Behind him, the Jenkins daughters, Mika, 21 and Belinda, 18, clutched bouquets of flowers to their chests and smiled politely while the cameras focused in on their Kim Jong-il lapel badges.
Every detail, every expression has been broadcast around the world.
Questions
There are more than 200 Japanese reporters in Jakarta, eager to get the exclusive angle on a story which has captured the hearts of their nation.
Jenkins' extraordinary story
Japanese cameras have filmed all corners of the luxury hotel where the family is staying. The executive suite, paid for by the Japanese government; the Japanese restaurant which is rumoured to be preparing some of their meals; even the buttons of the lift to show which floor the Jenkins' suite is on.
When she arrived in Jakarta on Thursday evening, ahead of the rest of her family, Hitomi Soga asked the media to allow her family some quiet time.
And the Jenkins' were certainly not answering any questions today.
But there are plenty of questions to be addressed. How long will the family stay in Jakarta? Where will they go when or if they leave?
Ms Soga has made it clear she would like the family to go back with her to Japan.
But the Americans still insist Charles Jenkins has a case to answer, and he could be deported if he lands in Tokyo.
They could go back to North Korea, but that would mean a return to an impoverished, repressive state.
Or, perhaps they'll stay in Indonesia.
The last chapter of this bizarre story is waiting to be written.
But for now, in a five-star hotel in Jakarta, Charles Jenkins is safe. And a family separated for two years by distance and diplomacy is together again.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/3881565.stm
By Rachel Harvey
BBC correspondent in Jakarta
It's a story that spans four decades and involves the governments of four different countries.
A former American soldier, Charles Jenkins has made his home in North Korea since 1965. Whilst living in the secretive communist state, he met, and married a Japanese woman, Hitomi Soga.
The cameras are trying to follow their every movement
Abducted as a teenager by North Korean agents, she was repatriated to Japan in 2002. But Jenkins stayed behind.
He is accused of desertion by the United States army, and if he had followed her he could have been deported to face a court martial.
So a compromise was sought. Indonesia has no extradition treaty with America, and so it was here that the most unusual of reunions took place.
It's hard to imagine what was going through Charles Jenkins head as his plane touched down in Jakarta.
Global interest
This was the first time he had left North Korea in 40 years. Harder still to read the thoughts of his two daughters, aged 21 and 18 who have never before been outside the secretive communist state.
On the tarmac of an airport in a strange country, the family hugged, and kissed as the tears flowed freely.
The Americans still insist Charles Jenkins has a case to answer, and he could be deported if he lands in Tokyo
Then a two-hour journey through the mayhem of Jakarta's rush hour traffic to face the assembled ranks of the world's media.
A frail looking, grey haired man wearing a grey suit, Charles Jenkins, stared bewildered into a barrage of spotlights and flash bulbs.
Behind him, the Jenkins daughters, Mika, 21 and Belinda, 18, clutched bouquets of flowers to their chests and smiled politely while the cameras focused in on their Kim Jong-il lapel badges.
Every detail, every expression has been broadcast around the world.
Questions
There are more than 200 Japanese reporters in Jakarta, eager to get the exclusive angle on a story which has captured the hearts of their nation.
Jenkins' extraordinary story
Japanese cameras have filmed all corners of the luxury hotel where the family is staying. The executive suite, paid for by the Japanese government; the Japanese restaurant which is rumoured to be preparing some of their meals; even the buttons of the lift to show which floor the Jenkins' suite is on.
When she arrived in Jakarta on Thursday evening, ahead of the rest of her family, Hitomi Soga asked the media to allow her family some quiet time.
And the Jenkins' were certainly not answering any questions today.
But there are plenty of questions to be addressed. How long will the family stay in Jakarta? Where will they go when or if they leave?
Ms Soga has made it clear she would like the family to go back with her to Japan.
But the Americans still insist Charles Jenkins has a case to answer, and he could be deported if he lands in Tokyo.
They could go back to North Korea, but that would mean a return to an impoverished, repressive state.
Or, perhaps they'll stay in Indonesia.
The last chapter of this bizarre story is waiting to be written.
But for now, in a five-star hotel in Jakarta, Charles Jenkins is safe. And a family separated for two years by distance and diplomacy is together again.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/3881565.stm
