WEBSTER HOPEFUL ABOUT HOSTAGES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP99-01448R000401660047-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 22, 2012
• Sequence Number: 47
• Publication Date: May 30, 1991
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

Si Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/23: CIA-RDP99-01448R000401660047-1
The Washington Post
The New York Times
The Washington Times
The Wall Street Journal
The Christian Science Monitor
New York Daily News
USA Today
The Chicago Tribune
Date 4
Webster Hopeful About Hostages
By RUTH SINAI
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - CIA Director William Webster said Thursday he
was " cautiously optimistic'' about signs that Iran is seeking a
reconciliation with the West and that a deal might be worked out to
release Americans held by pro-Iranian radicals in Lebanon.
" There are enough bubble signs that are reminiscent of other
times when hostages were released,'' he said at an interview with
reporters to mark the end of his four-year stint as the country's
top intelligence official.
But Webster declined to elaborate, saying the matter was too
sensitive.
Six Americans are among 13 Westerners believed held by
pro-Iranian militants in Lebanon. The last Americans released were
Robert Polhill and Frank H. Reed, freed in April 1990 after more
than three years of captivity.
Both were freed with the help of Syria, the main power broker in
Lebanon which is enjoying a gradual thaw the United States despite
its alleged support for terrorism.
A team of State Department and CIA counter-terrorism officials
visited Damascus recently to discu U.S. accusations of Syrian
support for terrorism, including its backing of radical Palestinian
organizations.
But an official familiar with the mission said the Syrians
stiffed us, '' listening but failing to promise change.
Nonetheless, Webster said Syria had been helpful in preventing
terrorism by Palestinians allied with Iraq during the Gulf war
earlier, this year.
Some who relied on Syria in the past didn't receive it, or
received less'' support, he said.
The latest movement in the hostage saga came earlier this week
when the Iranian-backed Hezbollah, which is believed to hold some
of the Western hostages, said it was also holding two Israelis.
Israel said in response it would be willing to free all its
Lebanese prisoners in return for seven Israelis missing in Lebanon.
Israel's top negotiator, Uri Lubrani, said Iran and its
surrogates in Lebanon wouldn't free the western hostages unless
they got something from Israel.
Meanwhile Iran's President Hasheni Rafsanjani told an
international conference of oil officials this week that his
country,wants to rejoin the world economy after years of isolation.
Sanething good could come of it,'' Webster said of the recent
movement.
The longest-held hostage is Terry Anderson, chief Middle East
correspondent for The Associated Press, captured in March 1985.
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/23: CIA-RDP99-01448R000401660047-1