Going home?

<p>The look on the face of 11-year-old Tanya Kulakovskaya (Monday's front page photo) said much more than these 400 or so words.</p><p>It's an expression of grief as she gives a final wave good-bye to her host family at San Francisco International Airport. It's also a look of anxiety over whether she will ever see them again.</p><p>Tanya was one of 23 children who flew home to Belarus after spending six weeks in the North Bay as part of the Chernobyl Children's Project.</p><p>What has sparked an international incident is that one girl, Tanya Kazyra, 16, was not on that flight. She has refused to return to her Eastern European home and, instead, has asked to stay with her host family in Petaluma.</p><p>Belarusian officials have characterized this as something of a kidnapping, but U.S. officials have wisely chosen to go slow in trying to decide what to do next.</p><p>Tanya has not asked, as yet, to stay for good. She has merely requested an extension on her visa, which is set to expire on Dec. 25. Requests for such extensions are fairly common.</p><p>It also appears that Tanya has the blessing of her grandmother, her guardian, which is an important factor.</p><p>At the same time, Tanya's actions could jeopardize the chances of other children making a similar trip in the future. Organizers of the Petaluma-based program are justifiably concerned that this could put the Chernobyl Children's Project -- as well as others like it across the nation -- at risk.</p><p>"Many of us feel very distraught and helpless," said Rosey Erickson of Petaluma, who hosted Tanya Kulakovskaya. "We really hope the Belarus government will only see this as an isolated incident."</p><p>Whether it does may depend on how long this incident lasts.</p><p>America has always had a soft spot for those who fled former Eastern Bloc countries and sought to make a new life in the United States. But the Cold War is over, and this is not a case of someone seeking political asylum or refugee status. Tanya is not fleeing persecution based on her nationality, race or politics.</p><p>We know that life is no picnic in Belarus. That's why the most important outcome here is the continuation of the Chernobyl program, so that children like Tanya may come to the United States, to make friends -- and possibly return as adults to build a future.</p>