The United States said on Monday it might delay the request of the custody of Charles Jenkins, an accused US deserter as well as husband of a returned Japanese abductee from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

"As part of our continuing discussions, on Saturday in Tokyo Ambassador (Howard) Baker and members of his team, including representatives of the US forces in Japan and the US Army in Japan,met with (Japanese) Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi to discuss the issue of Sergeant Jenkins," State Department spokesman RichardBoucher said at a news briefing.

"Now our ambassador further explained that the United States will request custody of Sergeant Jenkins at the appropriate time, but he also acknowledged that we might delay the request because of Sergeant Jenkins' medical condition," Boucher said.

Jenkins arrived in Tokyo on Sunday from Jakarta, together with his wife Hitomi Soga whom he married in the DPRK in 1980, and their two daughters. He is to undergo medical treatment there.

The United States has charged Jenkins with desertion and has stated to request his custody once he is in Japan according to theUS-Japan status of forces agreement.

Source: Xinhua