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Medal of Freedom 12/12/91 [OA 8332] [3]
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Folder Title:
Medal of Freedom 12/12/91 [OA 8332] [3]
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26
22
1
4
Susherland
TIMES 11/19/91
For Hostage's Scattered Family, a Dizzying Rebirth
177
By JOSEPH B. TREASTER
It has been an incredible three
of the university," Mrs. Ward said.
days, a time of numbing sadness and
Mr. Sutherland's daughter, Kit, a
soaring joy, for the family of Thomas
31-year-old research assistant at Col-
M. Sutherland, the American hostage
orado State University, took the call
freed yesterday by his captors in
from the State Department on Sun-
Lebanon.
day and found she had to temper the
On Saturday, his 88-year-old father-
messenger's excitement, she told re-
in-law, who had served as the fam-
porters as she changed planes in Chi-
ily's anchor and spokesman during
cago en route to a reunion with her
the six and a half years that Mr.
father in Weisbaden, Germany.
Sutherland was in captivity, died af-
"I had to say, 'Settle down. We
ter a long struggle with cancer.
don't know for sure,' she' recalled.
On Sunday morning, someone from
"All along we've had to control our
the State Department called to say
enthusiasm."
there were signs that Mr. Suther-
Even in Chicago, as she clutched
land's release was imminent.
bottles of champagne pressed on her
Yesterday the signs turned into re-
by friends who wanted to share in the
ality: Mr. Sutherland was no longer a
celebration, Ms. Sutherland seemed
hostage. Then, a few hours later,
to find it hard to grasp that her father
there was more joyous news: Mr.
was really free.
Sutherland's eldest daughter, Ann,
"I'm scared to think I might be
had just gone into labor in Berkeley,
waking from a dream," she said. "I
Calif., with her second child.
haven't seen him on TV yet. I haven't
'Breaking Down and Crying'
seen any visuals. So I'm not sure I
believe it."
"Yesterday, I was breaking down
and crying - and I don't cry," said
Surprised at the Airport
David Murray, Mr. Sutherland's
Mr. Sutherland's wife had stayed
brother-in-law, in an interview in
on in Beirut through the long ordeal.
Ames, Iowa, where he had gone to
"She just wanted to be near him,"
attend the funeral of his father, Wil-
said Mrs. Ward.
liam G. Murray.
But with the death of Mrs. Suther-
"Today," he said, "It's that way all
land's father, a professor emeritus of
over again, only it's for the opposite
agricultural economics at Iowa State
reason."
University and a two-time Republi-
Mr. Sutherland, who was born in
can candidate for governor of Iowa,
Scotland and came to the United
she decided to fly home for the fu-
States in the mid-1950's to earn a
neral.
master's and a Ph.D. in animal sci-
She was changing planes at New-
ences at Iowa State University in
ark International Airport early yes-
Ames, was in his third year as dean of
terday morning when she heard her
agriculture at American University
name being called over the public
in Beirut when he was kidnapped by
address system. It was her brother
David telephoning from Ames to say
that he was being swamped with calls
from reporters asking for comment
A beloved father-
on Mr. Sutherland's release.
in-law dies of
In a short time, Mrs. Sutherland
was back on another plane, this time
heading for Germany, where United
cancer; a daughter
States hostages are medically exam-
ined and debriefed.
goes into labor.
Mr. Murray said the funeral for his
father would be postponed from
Thursday until Friday, in the hope
that Mr. Sutherland could attend.
Shiite Muslims on June 9, 1985.
Bells Peal in Iowa
He and his wife, Jean, who was
teaching English at the university,
At midday, bells pealed across the
had just visited family and friends in
lowa State campus and, as several
the United States. She had stayed on
hundred people gathered on the cen-
and he had flown back to Beirut.
tral campus green, Mr. Murray
snipped a big yellow ribbon tied
Thought He Was the President
around a young oak tree, the kind of
"He got into a taxi at the airport
symbol that had been displayed all
and they took him on the road into
over Ames and Fort Collins since Mr.
town," said Merla Ward, an old friend
Sutherland's abduction. Friends in
and the wife of a colleague at Colora-
both college towns began planning
do State University in Fort Collins,
parades and parties.
where Mr. Sutherland had won
"This is wonderful, wonderful,"
awards for his teaching before going
said Alice Murray, Mr. Sutherland's
to the Middle East.
mother-in-law. "We saw him on TV
"They thought he was the president
and we heard him and he sounded
just like he ever was, and I knew it
had really happened.'
SUTHERLAND
11/29/91
Ex-Hostage 177 Celebrates Holiday With Family
Since arriving at his daughter's
"Oh, I missed ice cream," he said.
home here, Mr. Sutherland has walked
lims in Lebanon, had been held hostag
Mr. Sutherland said that he and his
through Berkeley with his wife, Jean,
since June 1985. He was released at th
fellow captives had kept a careful
saying he was savoring the ability to
same time as Terry Waite, who wa
record of the dates. "I kept track of
BERKELEY, Calif., Nov. 28 (AP) -
Lebanon.
move without having to ask anyone's
kidnapped while representing th
On Wednesday, Mr. Sutherland said
After more than six years as a hostage
Christmas and Thanksgiving and Val-
"This year we have our family com-
permission.
Archbishop of Canterbury in trying 1.
in Lebanon, where he was locked in
he wanted to give "thanks to every-
entine's Day and my birthday and
plete again," Mr. Turner's mother, Es-
body and to all of America" for their
negotiate the release of the hostages.
'World Was Wonderful'
Jean's birthday and Ann and Kit and
tiny rooms and could celebrate holi-
telle Ronneburg, said today. "We're
Three Americans are still held hos
support and warm welcome home.
He expressed sympathy for the fam-
"The sun was bright and the air was
Joan's birthdays and I celebrated it
days only "in fantasy," Thomas Suth-
very thankful we can celebrate it that
tage in Lebanon. They are Terry An
ilies of the three remaining American
fresh and the leaves were green. Oh,
with them as best I could, in fantasy
I
Hand got to have Thanksgiving with
way."
derson, the chief Middle East corre
his family today.
Mr. Turner, a 44-year-old who was
hostages, and said, "We are just a little
the world was wonderful," he said.
suppose you might say," he said.
spondent for The Associated Press who
When he met with a small group of
released on Oct. 22, planned a quiet day
sad that they can't have this kind of
Mrs. Sutherland said, "Our hearts
Since his return, Mr. Sutherland has
was captured in March 1985; Josept
porters on Wednesday so he could
with his family in Boise, Idaho, his
Thanksgiving yet."
are very full and our feeling is, just sort
made the acquaintance of a new grand-
Ciccippio, acting controller of Ameri
of, 'Go out and embrace the world.'
daughter, 4-year-old Simone, and a son-
have a private holiday with his family
mother said.
can University, and Alann Steen, a pro
Mr. Sutherland, the 60-year-old dean
In Boston, Mr. Tracy ate turkey din-
He was reunited with his wife and
in-law. He also listened to his first
today, Mr. Sutherland said he was glad
fessor at Beirut University College."
of agriculture at American University
of Beirut, added that freedom was
daughters Kit and Joan last week, but
compact disc recording, which he
be home but sorry that other hos-
ner at the Veterans Administration
Mr. Sutherland said his captors had
ages remained in Lebanon.
Medical Center, where he has been
daughter Ann could not travel because
called a sound "so beautiful, I just
told him that two of the hostages would
what he was really savoring, including
broke into tears."
wo other former hostages, Jesse
since his captors freed him in August.
she is more than eight months preg-
be freed soon.
the freedom possibly to return to Leba-
nant. So the family flew to California
He was planning to go home to Fort
Turner and Edward Tracy, also spent
Mr. Tracy, a 60-year-old who was freed
He also said he believed all three will
non. He said he had talked to the uni-
versity's president to make plans to
for a big Thanksgiving of turkey,
Collins, Colo., on Sunday for a home-
their first Thanksgiving in freedom
be released within weeks.
on Aug. 11, has a history of hospitaliza-
after being released by their captors in
tion for psychological disorders.
mashed potatoes, cherry pie and ice
coming celebration.
"I think the kidnapping game, is
return someday.
cream
Mr. Sutherland, who was released on
over," he said when he arrived in San
Nov. 18 by Iranian-backed Shiite Mus-
Francisco on Monday.
WASH. POST: 11/19/91
Hostages Waite, Sutherland Freed in Lebanon
For American's Family,
A Bittersweet 'Rebirth'
By Edward Walsh
177
Washington Post Staff Writer
AMES, Iowa, Nov. 18-Since that dark moment in
Meanwhile. plans were being made here
1985 when Thomas Sutherland was kidnapped near the
to delay William Murray's funeral until Fri-
Beirut airport, William Murray had looked forward to
day SO the Sutherland family, including the
this day, when he could join in celebrating his son-in-
newly freed former hostage, can attend.
law's release from captivity.
Sutherland's release also was celebrated
For more than six years, Murray was the family's
in Fort Collins, where he taught animal sci-
spokesman in the nightmarish hostage drama. It was a
ences and genetics for 26 years at Colorado
role relished by the retired professor of agricultural
State University
economics at Iowa State University here and two-time
"He's quite talkative, articulate, full of
Republican candidate for governor of Iowa. "He had no
jokes, the same old Tom," said Gerry Ward,
problem with the limelight," his eldest son, David G.
70, a longtime friend, after watching Suth-
Murray, recalled today.
erland on a televised news conference in Da-
But William Murray never got to be spokesman at
mascus, Syria. "I think I've aged more in the
the drama's most critical moment. He could not relay
time Tom's been held captive than he has."
the family's joyous feelings at news of Sutherland's re-
David Murray had a similar reaction after
lease in Beirut today.
watching the news conference on television
Murray died of cancer at age 88 here Saturday. Ac-
here. "He looked better than I thought, but I
cording to his son, he knew that a hostage release was
was not totally surprised," Murray said. "He
expected in the next few weeks but was unaware that it
is a resilient guy, and he always had a great
would come so soon and that one of those freed would
sense of humor
It was the same old
be his son-in-law. "He missed it by a couple of days,"
Tom-the smile. the twinkle in the eye."
David Murray said.
It has been a time of extraordinary passage for the
Love of agriculture and of teaching
family. It involved the death of the patriarch here, the
brought Sutherland. a native of Scotland.
expected birth this week of his 10th grandchild to Suth-
here in the mid-1950s for graduate study at
erland's daughter Ann in Berkeley, Calif., and what Da-
one of the nation's preeminent agriculture
vid Murray called "the rebirth of Tom Sutherland" in
schools where he met Jean Murray, his fu-
the Middle East.
ture wife. The same interests later took
"This is a bittersweet time for those of us in the Mur-
Sutherland to Beirut, where he was dean of
caugres
the agriculture school at the American Uni-
ray family." David Murray told about 200
people gathered at a ceremony today on the
versity of Beirut and she taught English.
Iowa State campus to celebrate Suther-
David Murray said their devotion to ag-
land's release and mourn William Murray's
riculture and teaching served as a bond be-
tween his father and his brother-in-law,
death.
whom he described as "just like father and
News of Sutherland's release over-
whelmed the sense of sadness that had
son." William Murray was a founder of the
Iowa Living History Farms, a facility near
touched the spacious, comfortable Murray
Des Moines that commemorates the history
house near the edge of the campus, alma
of farming in Iowa. For the last several
mater not only of Sutherland but also of
years of his life, David Murray said, his fa-
Terry Anderson, the Associated Press bu-
ther had "two focuses-the Living History
reau chief in Beirut held longer than any
Farms and Tom Sutherland's release."
Western hostage in Lebanon.
Plagin
An American flag stood in the leaf-cov-
"You would have had an earful. I'll tell
ered front yard of the Murray home, and
you," Murray said when asked how his fa-
your
yellow and red, white and blue ribbons en-
ther would have handled today's momen-
circled a nearby tree. The phone started
tous developments. "It would have been a
ringing at 6 a.m. and calls continued all day.
highlight of his life."
Some were from Sutherland's wife, Jean.
Instead, it was David Murray, chairman
who arrived in the United States from Bei-
of the orthopedic surgery department at
rut Sunday night en route to her father's fu-
State University of New York-Syracuse
neral, which had been scheduled here for
Medical School, who spoke for the family.
Thursday.
An eldest son unexpectedly thrust by death
According to family members here, Jean
into the role of father, he scurried from in-
Sutherland spent much of the day in a pub-
terview to interview today with a broad
lic-telephone booth at the Newark, N.J..
smile on his face.
airport. confirming her husband's release
"At this moment, we can't be anything
and rearranging travel plans. They said she
was to leave Newark for Frankfurt, Ger-
but happy," he said. "We'll get back to the
sadness tomorrow."
many, late today and be joined there by the
couple's two other daughters, Kit Suther-
Staff writer Lou Cannon in Santa Barbara.
land of Fort Collins, Colo., and Joan Suth-
Calif., and special correspondent Holli
erland of Gresham. Ore.
Hartman in Ames contributed to this report.
Thomas Sutherland is expected to be re-
united with them at the U.S. air base in
Wiesbaden, Germany, that has served as
the first extended stop for released hos-
tages since the Iranian hostage crisis more
than a decade ago.
McGroarty/Bunton
December 10, 1991
9:15 a.m.
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: HOSTAGES/DE CUELLAR MEDAL OF FREEDOM
THE EAST ROOM
DECEMBER 12, 1991
4:30 P.M.??
Good afternoon. I am honored to be joined here by two
gentlemen who represent our highest humanitarian ideals: UN
Assistant Secretary-General Giandomenico Picco and Secretary
General Javier Perez de Cuellar. / Let me welcome to the White
House the friends and families of four special men returned to
freedom. And to Thomas Sutherland / Alann Steen / Joseph
Cicippio / and Terry Anderson: let me simply say: welcome home.
//
Barbara and I are grateful you could share this special day
with us. When each of you were taken hostage -- as a nation --
we suffered and shared your grief. We counted each cruel day --
marked the birthdays, the anniversaries, the Christmases missed -
- and never gave up hope. Today, as a nation, we share your joy:
we thank God that you are free. //
All of you have survived an act of unspeakable, uncivilized
cruelty. In each hostage-taking, we see hell on a human scale -
- not just for the innocents held captive, but for the family
they leave behind. Think of Sulome Anderson, the little girl we
watched grow up without her dad. Think of Terry Anderson -- and
the father and brother he could not wish goodbye. //
No power on earth can give you back the years you have lost.
Yet no one can take from you the strength of spirit that
sustained you. The world is learning now the horrors you
2
endured. The days on end spent in darkness, blindfolded --
condemned to silence. The savage beatings -- the psychological
assault aimed at stripping away your inner strength. / Yet you
managed to find ways -- even while in chains -- to communicate
with one another, to sustain one another: to demonstrate each
day in captivity a defiant faith. You knew, with a fierce faith
that inspires us, that one day, you would go free. //
Now, because you fought despair -- because you held fast to
hope -- each one of you has been given a gift beyond measure: a
future with the family you love. //
The days and years apart burn away the things we once
thought had value -- to reveal what truly matters in life:
family / faith / hope and love. Seeing freedom through your eyes
-- even for a moment -- frees us from the petty concerns that so
often hold us hostage and distract us from life's larger joys.
For all of you, the nightmare has ended. But right now, the
anguish continues -- for the families of two innocent German
citizens held against their will, and for the families of two
courageous Americans who died at the hands of their captors. In
the name of the civilized values we hold dear, I call on those
responsible for this crime: return the remains of Rich Higgins
and William Buckley. Let those who loved them find peace. //
From the beginning, the hostage-takers sought to exploit our
system's reverence for the individual as a weakness. / Yet,
throughout your imprisonment, the U.S. followed a single policy:
3
Pursue every avenue to win your release -- but never never --
negotiate with terrorists.
Terry Anderson, you said it best: "You can't negotiate with
hostage-takers. You can't give them anything." // Bargaining
would do no more than create a kind of currency in human lives.
A united front remains the world's best hope that no more
innocent men or women would meet your fate -- that no family
would ever again be forced to endure your years in agony.
This policy was not without risks. Sticking with it was
never easy. In the end, the hostage-takers underestimated our
resolve. They found that taking hostages did more damage to
their cause than it did to American resolve. //
Your captors believed hostage-taking would tie our hands.
Yet it did nothing to diminish our will to defend American
interests and international ideals in the Middle East. Through
Desert Storm to the Conference in Madrid, we continued to stand
against aggression -- and for the principles that promise a just
and lasting peace in the Middle East. //
Yes, America did its part. But your return to freedom was
the work of many men and women in this country and around the
world -- most of whom you will never meet. Today, we recognize
the selfless efforts of one man who at great personal risk helped
bring you to freedom. In his ten years as special envoy at the
UN, Assistant Secretary-General Giandomenico Picco has sought
always to serve peace and resolve conflict. Today, for his
efforts in winning the freedom of our hostages, we honor
4
Giandomenico Picco with the Presidential Award for Exceptional
Service. [CITATION READ -- PRESIDENT AWARDS MEDAL. ]
We also honor the man who made your release a personal
crusade -- a man whose life work in service to humanitarian
ideals has won him honor the world over: Javier Perez de
Cuellar. //
Javier Perez de Cuellar has made peace among nations his
mission and taken the principles of the United Nations Charter as
his personal code. He was present at the founding: as a
delegate to the first General Assembly of the UN in 1946. We
first met in 1971, when each of us received the singular honor of
serving our countries as Ambassador to the United Nations. My
distinguished colleague went on to represent Peru in the Security
Council and serve as its President. For the past ten years, he
has served the cause of world peace as Secretary-General.
During his tenure, the UN has been reborn. Cold War
conflict has given way to true cooperation. Under UN auspices,
progress has been made in conflicts that have long defied
solution. Peacekeeping missions have proliferated -- 11 overall
in action right now, 5 begun in the past year alone. // Mr.
Secretary-General, I am personally grateful for your strong stand
against aggression in Kuwait -- and your tireless work to sustain
the coalition. In large part because of your leadership, the
United Nations now stands closer to its founding ideal than ever
before. //
5
Today, we honor this architect of peace -- a man whom I am
proud to call my friend. Mr. Secretary General, it is with great
pride that I now present to you the highest honor this country
can bestow: the Medal of Freedom. [CITATION READ -- PRESIDENT
AWARDS MEDAL. ]
Finally, I want to present today a simple gift -- this one
the
to Thomas Sutherland. There are thousands more like it across
add
America -- each one precious. / It was sent to me by Lynn
(e)
Vincent, a teacher in Northridge, California. For five years,
she wore a bracelet inscribed with your name. On the day of your
release, she wrote: "I wanted you to have my bracelet so you
would know you were always in the thoughts and prayers of many
Americans. " //
S
On the side of this simple band are the words "Hebrew 13:3."
The verse reads as follows: "Remember those who are in bonds as
if you were bound with them. " We remembered -- we kept you in
our thoughts and prayers -- and in the end, the chains that held
you proved no match for the bonds that unite all Americans. //
Today those open arms welcome you home. May God bless the
United States of America.
# # #
thomas Ciappio
PHIL. INQ. :09-12-91
Quiet prevails at Cicippio home
on 5th anniversary of abduction
By Larry Lewis
177
Inquirer Staff Writer
The wall telephone in the family
room of Thomas Cicippio's home on
East Roberts Street in Norristown
has been relatively quiet since mid-
August when a Beirut hostage was
HOSTA
released and it was not his brother
Joseph.
Cicippio's sister, Helen Fazio, 71
and gravely ill with ovarian cancer,
calls each day from her daughter's
home to let her relatives know she
has found the strength to endure a
little longer.
OSEPH
Otherwise, the house is quiet, and
the middle-class neighborhood in
the northeast corner of the Mont-
gomery County seat yesterday
seemed caught in a lazy, midweek
calm that would be normal for the
waning days of summer.
Five years ago today, there was
turbult along the secluded street af-
ter word arrived that the close-knit
family's youngest brother, Joseph
James Cicippio, had been kidnapped
in Beirut. Family members gathered
at the stone-faced split-level home to
reassure one another that their
9/13(?)
brother's ordeal would be brief.
But the captivity of Joseph Cicip-
pio, who will be 61 tomorrow, has
stretched through half a decade, and
the deaths of one of his sisters, a
brother-in-law, a sister-in-law and
his namesake son.
"H never dreamed he would be held
Associated Press
this long," said his brother, Thomas
Thomas Cicippio holds a five-year-old photo of his brother.
Cicippio, 67. "Joe was married to a
Lebanese. I thought, because of that,
But the fate of his brother, he said,
Instead, they said, they have pre-
they would let him go. It was close to
remains virtually unknown, and the
ferred to remain close to their Nor-
Christmas, too. I was certain he
"false alarms" about possible hostage
ristown home in case there is a de-
would be out for Christmas."
releases have been emotionally
velopment in the hostage situation.
The fifth anniversary today will be
Islam and married a Lebanese
lighting
candle
Joseph Cicippio had converted to
draining times for the family.
In early August, the Revolutionary
marked by a remembrance at 1 p.m.
woman, Ilham Ghandour Cicippio,
Justice Organization notified news
in the front yard of Thomas Cicip-
who still works for the U.S. Embassy
agencies in Beirut that it would re-
pio's home.
in Beirut. When he was kidnapped,
lease one of the two hostages it held
Carmella LaSpada, chairman of the
he was acting comptroller at the
and included a photograph of Joseph
American University of Beirut.
board of the Washington-based hu-
Cicippio.
Thomas Cicippio said he talked
manitarian group No Greater Love,
On Aug. 11, the group freed Ed-
will be there and is scheduled to take
with his brother's wife five days ago.
ward Austin Tracy, 60, of Burlington,
"She is hoping that something will
Vt., who apparently was held with
part in a small candle-lighting cere-
revemony
break," he said. "She just continues
Cicippio for nearly five years.
mony. Helen Fazio is to receive a
to wait, the same as we do."
letter of solace from the local leaders
Thomas Cicippio said that he was
Thomas Cicippio said he was able
able to contact Tracy by telephone in
of the Roman Catholic Church.
to learn after the kidnapping that his
Massachusetts about three weeks
"It seems like a lot longer than five
brother apparently was taken by
ago, but that the freed hostage was
years," Thomas Cicippio said. "It
members of the Revolutionary Jus-
able to tell him almost nothing about
seems like it's been going on forever.
tice Organization. The kidnappers
Joseph Cicippio.
It never gets any easier."
were trying to force the United
"It was a very short conversation,"
States to intervene in the release of
Thomas Cicippio said. "There wasn't
17 militant Lebanese being held in a
much he could tell us, except that
Kuwaiti jail for bombing the U.S. and
Joe is OK and misses the family."
French Embassies there in 1983.
Thomas Cicippio recalled that he
He said he had been informed that
had retired in June 1984, the same
some of the 17 had been released
month his brother went to Beirut to
intermittently as their sentences ex-
work. The former postal worker and
pired, and the remainder had been
his wife, Frances, now also retired,
set free during the Persian Gulf war.
had planned to travel.
Alann Steen
WASH. POST: 12/04/91
Happiness Rings Out for Family
After Many False Alarms, Good News Arrives Over Phone Early
By Jay Mathews
Washington Post Staff Writer
deal by remembering that her fa-
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., Dec.
frail," Scardino said, but she could
ther had survived the Marines,
3-Jackie Scardino is a substitute
see no obvious sign of the beating
being struck by lightning and even,
teacher and is sometimes slow and
that reportedly had knocked out
he said, wrestling a grizzly bear.
grumpy when her bedside tele-
several teeth.
She last saw him in 1986 and
phone rings with an early morning
It was characteristic of the 52-
had "some fun, some margaritas,"
assignment. But when the phone
year-old journalist and teacher to
when he visited her during her
jangled at 2:15 this morning, she
take such a chance. His friends and
training as a paramedic, the job
snatched it eagerly.
family marveled at, and sometimes
where she met her firefighter hus-
"Jackie Scardino?" the wire ser-
despaired of, his wanderlust, and
vice reporter on the other end said.
band.
had given up trying to persuade him
"We have it from Iran's Islamic Re-
to leave his job as communications
During her father's captivity,
public news agency that your fa-
instructor at U.S.-affiliated Beirut
Monday said she learned "patience
ther's free, and on his way to Da-
University.
mascus."
and tolerance" and "impatience and
"He loved doing things different-
In the nearly five years since her
intolerance, a little of both." She
father, Alann Steen, became a hos-
ly," said Howard Seemann, a pro-
said she expected to feel the full
tage of terrorists in Lebanon, there
fessor of journalism at Humboldt
State University who knew Steen
range of emotions when she got on
had been many false alarms and bad
the plane. "Today we've had a tre-
riews, including the chilling story of
as a student and later local editor
mendous case of the giggles," she
his brutal beating after a 1987 es-
and faculty colleague. "He loved to
said.
cape attempt.
go see things himself, to truck
Many of Steen's relatives ex-
Scardino, 30, had conditioned
through Alaska."
pressed hope that the last remain-
herself to take every new report
He once told a small Arcata,
ing U.S. hostage in Lebanon, Ter-
calmly and never let her hopes fly
Calif., weekly that his second wife
ry Anderson, would also be re-
too high.
had objected to moving to Beirut
leased.
But this morning she dispensed
and had filed for divorce after vis-
"First things first," Steen's
with caution. "I was excited, happy,
iting him there,
brother, Bruce, said on NBC's
joyful," she said.
Virginia Steen, the hostage's
"Today" show in an interview from
She told the news to her sleepy
third wife, welcomed news of his
his home in Los Gatos, Calif. "Ev-
husband, Chris, and then stayed up
release today at her parents' home
idently Alann is free. Let's get
the rest of the night, talking to
in Clark Lake, Mich., and said she
reporters and relatives and think-
Terry out of there next."
had spoken to him by telephone,
Steen's brother, Craig, told
ing about how she would describe
according to Reuter. "It was incred-
ABC's "Good Morning America"
all the things that happened while
ible to finally hear his voice and to
from his home in Orlando, Fla.,
her lean, adventurous father was
that he looked forward to the re-
gone.
think this really was finally over,"
union with his brothers. "It'll be
She walked down the aisle alone
she said.
at her wedding three years ago.
She had been the last person to
the first time in several years that
When her son, Jordan, was born two
see him as gunmen disguised as po-
we were all three together at one
years ago, she began pointing out
lice led him away from the university
time," he said.
Steen's picture in newspapers so
campus Jan. 24, 1987. "That's the
At Jackie Scardino's stucco
the boy could recognize an occa-
memory I took with me for five
townhouse in this Los Angeles
sional photo of "grandpa" on tele-
years," she said, "It's over now, and I
suburb, the thought of spending all
vision.
day on a airplane with a 2-year-old
"There was a certain emptiness
don't need to go back through that
and a 10-month-old was beginning
that I felt," Scardino said. "My fa-
again in my mind.
to sink in. But Steen's daughters,
ther was missing all these memo-
Steen's wife had time to tell him
with their sense of adventure, said
ries I have."
about both grandchildren born dur-
they would not dream of doing it
But by 9:45 this morning, when a
ing his captivity, Jordan Scardino
any other way.
State Department official called
and his daughter Becky Monday's
Scardino carefully wrote down
with the number of the Wednesday
10-month old son, Dillon. Jackie
the information from the State
flight that will take the family to a
Scarding said she and her sister,
Department official, then frowned
reunion with Steen in Frankfurt,
slightly when told that she was on
Germany, thoughts of the past had
along with their husbands and
a 10:40 a.m. Wednesday flight.
faded.
rsorts, would be on the plane
"That's the soonest we can leave?"
Jordan, a talkative, long-haired
ankfurt Wednesday. Steen know
she said.
blond, was entertaining three dif-
Chris Scardino before but has
ferent camera crews with discus-
er met Becky Monday's husband
Special correspondent Leef Smith
sions of the coming trip. He zoomed
in Los Banos contributed to this
Jim.
his plastic airplane around the living
"It's going to be nice to have
report.
room and said, "Where's grandpa?
Where's grandpa?"
father-in-law," Jim Monday said at
A haggard, nervous but obviously
a news conference in front of their
happy Steen appeared on television,
home in Los Banos, Calif. "I hope
to the delight of daughter and
he do some things with me, like
grandson. "He looked older. a bit
go on fishing trips. Right now he
doesn't even know my name."
Becky Monday, 29, said she
comforted herself during the or-
STEEN
Family Is Awaiting Reunion With Former Hostage
12/04/91
177
By JANE GROSS
Mr. Steen's two daughters are from
with her husband in Germany.
Mrs. Scardino said she had seen her
nearby Los Gatos, and Craig, a retired
a previous marriage. He married Vir-
Mr. Steen, who is 52 years old, heard
father on television. "He looks older
military man, from Orlando, Fla. Both
Special to The New York Times
LOS BANOS, Calif., Dec. 3 - From
ginia Rose, his present and third wife, a
about the new additions to his family
he looks tired and pale," she said. "He
of them, like the rest of the family,
fellow teacher at Beirut University Col-
early today in a telephone conversation
looked nervous in front of everybody."
watched Mr. Steen's televised news
now on "when the phone rings it will
lege, just six months before he was
with his wife. Mrs. Steen, an art history
'Always Optimistic'
conference at the Syrian Foreign Min-
just be a normal call," Becky Monday
said today as she celebrated the re-
kidnapped.
instructor when her husband was taken
istry this morning with a mixture of joy
hostage in 1987, remained in Lebanon
Mrs. Scardino said she planned to
at his release and concern that he did
lease of her father, Alann Steen, from
"I thank God I knew him long before
leave for Germany on Wednesday with
we got married, so it's not just the six
for two years, until the fighting became
not look and sound exactly as they
nearly five years of captivity in Leba-
too severe, and has since lived in her
her family to see her father on Thurs-
remembered.
non.
months we were married," Mrs. Steen
said today from her parents' rural
hometown in Michigan.
day.
From now on, her friends will not
"We were always optimistic," she
Brother's Perspective
have to hem and haw each time they
home in Clark Lake, Mich, according to
'That's Your Grandpa'
said. "I knew this day would come, but
Bruce Steen, 49, said that his brother
see her, unsure whether to ask or avoid
The Associated Press. 'And 1 think
Mrs. Scardino, a 30-year-old elemen-
I couldn't get too high or too low or it
had aged considerably and that his
asking if she has any news from the
things are going to go all right, but it
tary school substitute teacher who is
would have been too depressing. It's
voice sounded different. "But he's got
State Department.
will be adjustment of course."
expecting her second child, has tried to
been up and down and up and down so
that Alann smile," Bruce Steen said in
And from now on, her husband, Jim,
Asked if another honeymoon is in
acquaint her son, Jordan Alann, with
many times."
a telephone interview. "And that tells
will have a father-in-law he actually
order, she said: "Oh, yeah."
his grandfather by pointing to pictures
Mrs. Monday's 10-month old son, Dil-
us he's O.K."
knows, not merely one he has heard
Mrs. Steen later left for a reunion
on television and saying, "That's your
lon Bradford, whose middle name is
Mrs. Monday said that she was com-
about, and her infant son, Dillon, will
grandpa and someday you'll meet
the same as his grandfather's, is too
forted over the years by the knowledge
have a grandfather to track his
him."
young to understand what is going on,
that her father was a high-spirited,
progress in 4-H and take him fishing.
It was a telephone call from a televi-
his father said today, but he had a
courageous soul who would find a way
"It's a good news day for us, for
sion station at 2:15 this morning that
quick lesson in instant celebrity. "Ev-
to withstand the rigors of captivity.
sure," said Mrs. Monday, 29, a former
brought the news of her father's re-
eryone's poking a microphone in his
reminded myself that my dad was
paramedic who, these days, stays
lease, Mrs. Scardino said.
direction," said Mr. Monday, a fire-
an ex-Marine," she said. "He'd been
home with her baby and tends to her
"Even before I answered I knew it
fighter and a paramedic. "He's over-
struck by lightning on a trip to Alaska.
brand-new house in this Central Valley
was about my father," she said. "I just
whelmed by the attention."
He'd been this far away from a grizzly
town where unfinished subdivisions are
can't wait to see him. I'm so excited. It
Mr. Steen will also be welcomed
bear. He better come to California and
gobbling up fields and orchards.
might be awkward at first, but I'm sure
home by two younger brothers, Bruce,
play the lottery, is all I can say, be-
'We've all had a tremendous case of
we'll be our old selves real soon."
a mental health worker who lives in
cause he'll find a way to win it."
the giggles all day."
Flight to Germany
Mr. and Mrs. Monday held news con-
ferences at intervals throughout the
day today on the driveway in front of
their home. They passed Dillon back
and forth between them as they talked,
stooping often to fetch his dropped pac-
ifier and worrying that the long flight
to Germany for a family reunion might
be hard for him because he had a head
cold.
"We talked about leaving him," Mr.
Monday said. "But Becky said no way.
She wants grandpa to see him."
Like other hostages released before
him, Mr. Steen will greet a family that
has grown and changed in his absence.
His two daughters, Mrs. Monday and
Jackie Scardino of Thousand Oaks,
Calif., have married. Each has had a
child during his captivity, and each
child is named after the grandfather.
CICIPPIO
162
WASH. POST: 12/03/91
Easing the Pain-For a Moment
TV Images of Haggard Ex-Hostage-Drain Euphoria From Family Vigil
By Dale Russakoff
E
Washington Post Staff Writer
ago and faithfully adjusted them
every night to reflect the number of
NORRISTOWN, Pa., Dec. 2-The suffering of Jo-
days each U.S. hostage had been
seph Cicippio's abundant family did not begin or end
held, was just then leading the fam-
with his captivity. Cicippio's sister, Rose Abell, died of
ily in a long-awaited ritual. In re-
cancer three months after her "baby" brother was taken
cent months, he had nailed signs
hostage. Another sister, Helen Fazio, 71, is dying of
saying "FREED" above the names
cancer. The oldest of Cicippio's seven children, Joseph
Edward Tracy and Thomas Suth-
Jr., died of a heart attack last year at 35.
erland, and before them, above
Yet, when word of Joseph Cicippio's release by his
Robert Polhill, Jesse Turner and
Shiite Muslim captors in Lebanon reached his sleepless
Frank Reed.
family at 4:02 a.m. today, it seemed for a moment that
As the day dawned, Thomas
the pain was ending. For only a moment.
brought out a red-lettered sign,
Brother Thomas Cicippio, 68, a silvery-haired retired
"FREE AT LAST," to, be nailed
postal worker who for five years had led the family's
above Joseph's name. Each family
member got to strike a blow with
vigil, had gone out on his patio as the 4 a.m. release
the hammer. After years of re-
time passed. As if on cue, the phone rang.
Just as the family had fantasized for years, it was the
straint, when they never dared to
State Department.
get their hopes up, the siblings,
This was what kept me living," rejoiced a frail Helen
sons and laws burst into smiles
Fazio, told by her doctors in June that she had only
and even Taughter as they banged
weeks to live, but suddenly more alive than ever. 'Now
awayy
I've lived for the most important thing in my life. Just
Almost as suddenly, the euphoria
believing Joseph would be free worked better than my
was gone. At 8:15 a.m., the family
chemotherapy did."
gathered around Thomas Cicippio's
She and Thomas had just reminisced about how their
big-screen color television set to
sister, Rose, who died exactly five years ago today,
watch Joseph Cicippio, live and alive
dreamed on her deathbed that she was in Beirut looking
on television, as he arrived in Da-
for Joseph, now 61. "Well," said Helen, "she found him."
mascus. Thomas, as family spokes-
And Thomas, who had erected seven-foot-high wood-
man, took the seat of honor nearest
en signs on his immaculate suburban lawn five years
the set and leaned as close as he
could, awaiting the special report
that was interrupting the news.
Helen sat next to him, squeezing his
leg. Joseph's son. David, 31, an
electronic technician, sat facing
them.
Then suddenly there was Joseph:
not the full-bodied. buoyant brother
they knew, the one who for 25
years had managed a bank here and
was known as everyone's friend.
but a frail and haggard hostage who
seemed to have aged 15 to 20
years.
The TV camera in Damascus
zoomed in on Joseph and his drawn
face filled the screen in Norris-
town. Thomas fell back against the
sofa, as if he had been punched in
the stomach. His jaw literally
dropped. Helen began to sob. David
sat frozen. Thomas raised his hand,
as if waving to his brother from the
back of the room where he was
speaking.
Joseph Cicippio said he had been
moved 20 times in five years, had
had surgery within the last two
months for a life-threatening dis-
order, had seen no newspapers,
television or magazines, so "I have
to learn everything over again"
since the morning of Sept. 12.
1986, when he was taken hostage
as he left for his job as acting comp-
troller of the American University
in Beirut. He called this the "first
day of my new life." Soon after-
ward, authorities ushered him away
from the cameras and away from a
WASH. POST: 12/03/91
7
felt no anger toward his brother's
captors. "Remember some of the
hostages have been killed," he said.
Red
"My brother is alive." He seemed
angrier at President Bush, who he
complained never called his family
to express sympathy. "I credit the
Flag
U.N. with this," he said. "We felt as
though we actually had someone
working for us directly."
Joseph Cicippio was the ninth of
nine children born here to Italian
immigrants in this former industrial
town. His father was a track repair-
man for the Pennsylvania Railroad,
and Joseph was a family maverick of
sorts, attending the University of
Pennsylvania and Rutgers, manag-
ing banks, living abroad while the
other siblings stayed here where
Joseph Cicippio as he looked before abduction, left, and in Damascus yesterday.
they were born and reared.
After two divorces, though, Jo-
family that wanted to know so much
But just when he was granted
seph's life fell apart, according to
more.
what he had so long awaited-see-
friends and relatives, and the job
"He's not well. He doesn't look
ing his brother alive-the perfect
offer from the American University
good at all," Helen said.
vigil of Thomas Cicippio became
in Beirut in June 1984 seemed like
Throughout the 1,908 days of his
unbearable. The man who for 1,908
a new beginning. Thomas recalled
brother's captivity, Thomas Cicip-
days had never been too busy or
fearing for his brother's safety, "but
pio had never cracked, said another
agitated to talk to anyone about his
he said if anything was going to hap-
brother, Anthony, 73. Not even in
brother rose without a word and
pen to him, it would happen no mat-
August 1989, when Joseph's cap-
walked past a roomful of reporters
ter where. He said, 'When my time
tors vowed to execute him unless
awaiting his response. His message
comes, no matter where I am, it'll
Israel released Shiite Muslim cleric
was clear: He was too shaken to
happen.'
Sheik Abdel Karim Obeid. The sen-
speak. In a rare show of press-pack
Thomas said he believed his
tence was lifted days later.
respect, no one moved to stop him.
brother was happy in Beirut. He
Thomas Cicippio had made a rit-
Later he would learn from the
remarried, to Elham Ghandour, a
ual of talking to every reporter who
State Department that the surgery
Lebanese employee of the U.S. Em-
called, no matter how small the
to which his brother referred re-
bassy in Beirut, and converted to
publication, insisting that the pub-
sulted from an intestinal blockage.
Islam. "We felt as if he was finally
licity would help free Joseph. At
There was no more information,
getting his life back together," said
times when the hostage crisis
but the family began to fear a vigil
Thomas.
heightened, when news crews
of another sort. Thomas and his
No Cicippios felt that way today.
camped in front of his split-level
wife, Frances, and two of Joseph's
"Cancer, that's nothing compared
home and trampled his lawn in this
sons, David and Eric, who had
to being locked in for five years,"
sleepy Philadelphia suburb, he fed
planned to fly today to Wiesbaden,
Helen said after seeing her brother
them cake and coffee and even in-
Germany. were instructed to wait
on television. "I had good medical
vited some to sleep in his guest
at least 24 hours in case doctors
attention. I had doctors, nurses,
room. The thousands who wrote to
decided to fly Joseph to the United
family. He had nothing, no sun-
him in sympathy got personal notes
States for further care.
shine, sunlight, he had no idea we
in response.
Thomas said earlier today that he
were all worried about him."
clappio
N.Y. TIMES 12/03/91
After 1,908-Day Wait,
SIGN!
Captive's Family Exults
177
By MICHAEL deCOURCY HINDS
Special to The New York Times
NORRISTOWN, Pa. Dec. 2 - Soon
had a history of stomach ulcers, but
after hearing that Joseph J. Cicippio
he could not explain his brother's
had been released in Lebanon, a half-
reference at the news conference this
dozen members of his family gath-
morning to a life-threatening illness
ered for an early morning ceremony
or the operation he underwent this
on the lawn outside a brother's stone-
fall.
fronted house here.
Plans for Reunion
They stood in front of a large white
sign stenciled with the names of eight
The family's concern about Mr. Ci-
past and present American hostages
cippio's health increased when the
in Lebanon. Each day for five years
State Department postponed four
Mr. Cicippio's brother had changed
members' reunion with Mr. Cicippio
the number on the sign to reflect the
at the American military base in
time Mr. Cicippio was in captivity.
Wiesbaden, Germany. The State De-
But today, members of his family
partment had initially arranged that
took turns hammering a new sign
the four would leave tonight, but
over the number 1,908. It said, "Free
called back later to say that the trip
At Last!"
would not take place until possibly
After a week of trying to contain
Tuesday night, pending an evaluation
their emotions amid persistent ru-
of Mr. Cicippio's health. The reason
mors of Mr. Cicippio's likely release,
for the postponement, the State De-
family members said they exploded
partment said, its concern that Mr.
with happiness after the State De-
Cicippio's health might warrant his
partment's 4 A.M. telephone call tell-
being rushed to the Walter Reed
ing them he was finally free.
Army Medical Center in Washington.
But the happiness was soon leav-
Mr. Cicippio's family and friends
ened with sadness and concern as
said they hoped the former hostage to
more than a dozen family members
recover quickly from his ordeal.
gathered around a television to watch
Joseph James Cicippio was born in
an 8:30 A.M. news conference from
Norristown on Sept. 13, 1930, the youn-
Syria. Mr. Cicippio, speaking very
gest of eight children, to Camillo and
briefly at the conference, looked frail,
Julia Cicippio. His father worked as a
worn out and at least 50 pounds thin-
railroad laborer, and his mother
ner than he used to be, his family and
earned money by taking in some sew-
friends said.
ing. Mr. Cicippio graduated from
Changes During Captivity
Norristown High School in 1948 and
Mr. Cicippio, who is 61 years old,
took business courses at Bucknell
was taken hostage in Beirut on Sept.
University and Villanova University.
12, 1986, while he was walking to the
In 1954, he married, and he and The-
American University, where he was
resa Frascino Cicippio had seven
acting comptroller. He said today
children, who are now in their early
that he has not seen or heard any
20's and early 30's.
news of the world for five years.
Mr. Cicippio worked for 22 years'at
During his captivity, Mr. Cicippio be-
a Norristown bank, and was an assist-
came a grandfather and his first-born
ant vice president when he left, 'in
son, Joseph, and an older sister, Rose,
1974, to work at several banks in Cape
died.
May, N.J. His first marriage ended in
Another of Mr. Cicippio's sisters,
divorce after 20 years, and a brief
71-year-old Helen Fazio, cried when
second marriage shortly afterward
she saw her brother on television.
also ended in divorce.
Mrs. Fazio has cancer, and last year
"He was upset over the second
her doctors placed advertisements in
divorce and felt he had to get away.to
Lebanese newspapers, begging Mr.
start something new," said Mary
Cicippio's captors to free him before
Brown, a close friend of Mr. Cicippio
she died. "Waiting for Joe has been
in Norristown for over 30 years.
her therapy," said Alan E. Melnick,
Mr. Cicippio's search for a new life
one of her sons-in-law. "Now she's
took him to England, where he
really hyper-happy, on cloud nine."
worked for a hotel, and to Saudi Ara-
Mrs. Fazio and other family mem-
bia, where he worked for a helicopter
bers thought they had been prepared
manufacturer. He returned to Norris-
for the worst by grim photographs
town in 1984, but his family said he
that Mr. Cicippio's captors had made
could not find work to his liking. Later
public, but they said today that they
that year, he accepted a position as
were deeply disturbed by his physical
acting comptroller for the American
appearance on television.
University in Beirut.
"I was very shocked," said Thom-
In 1985, he married Elham Ghan-
as J. Cicippio, the former hostage's
dour, a Lebanese secretary at the
68-year-old brother who lives here.
United States Embassy in Beirut. She
"Joe has aged 15 or 20 years in 5 and
has continued to live in Beirut. A year
by the look of his condition, he could
after their marriage, the Revolution-
have something worse than ulcers."
ary Justice Organization kidnapped
Thomas Cicippio said his brother
him as he was walking to work.
McGroarty/Bunton
December 11, 1991
5:15 p.m.
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: HOSTAGES/DE CUELLAR MEDAL OF FREEDOM
THE EAST ROOM
DECEMBER 12, 1991
5:00 P.M.
Good afternoon. I am honored to be joined here by two
gentlemen who represent our highest humanitarian ideals: UN
Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar and Assistant
Secretary-General Giandomenico Picco. // Let me also welcome to
the White House the friends and families of five special men
returned to freedom. / Finally, to Thomas Sutherland / Alann
Steen / Jesse Turner / Joseph Cicippio / and Terry Anderson: let
me simply say: welcome home. //
All over America, people waited for the day your long ordeal
would end. All over America, we share your joy: we thank God
that you are free. //
Nothing says it better than the sign back in Norristown,
Pennsylvania, in Thomas Cicippio's front yard. For five long
years, that sign served as a constant reminder: with the name of
each hostage -- and a number counting each cruel day of
captivity. Then, one by one, the numbers gave way to a sign
marked "FREED." Finally, just nine days ago, came the moment the
Cicippio family prayed for. Over Joseph's name, they nailed not
another number, but a sign, that read: "FREE AT LAST."
All of you have survived an act of unspeakable, uncivilized
cruelty. Hostage-taking is hell on a human scale -- not just for
the innocents held captive, but for the families they left
behind. /
2
No power on earth can give back the years you have lost.
Yet no one can take from you the strength of spirit that
sustained you. The world is now learning the horrors you
endured. But we're learning as well the story of your survival -
- the miracle you fashioned from the hope your captors could not
take away. //
We know now how you used the language of the deaf to
communicate from cell to cell -- to speak to one another in
silence; how you managed to learn from one another -- laugh with
one another -- help each other sustain a stubborn dignity. //
You demonstrated each day in captivity a defiant faith. You
believed in your country, your families, your colleagues -- and
yourselves. You knew, that one day, you would go free. //
Your triumph shines new light on a simple truth. The days
and years apart burn away the trivial things we once thought had
value -- to reveal what truly matters in life: family / faith /
hope and love. Seeing freedom through your eyes -- even for a
moment -- frees us from the petty concerns that so often hold us
hostage and distract us from life's larger joys. ///
The families here today are whole again. But for others,
the ordeal is not over: for two German citizens and their
families -- for the families of two courageous Americans whose
duty sent them to Lebanon and who died at the hands of their
captors. In the name of the civilized values we hold dear, I
call on those responsible for these crimes: Free Heinrich
Struebig and Thomas Kemptner. Return the remains of Rich Higgins
3
and William Buckley. Let the families of these innocent men find
peace. ///
The truth is clear: Hostage-taking has failed. From the
beginning in Tehran in 1979, hostage-takers sought to exploit our
system's reverence for the individual as a weakness. //
Your captors believed hostage-taking would tie our hands.
They were wrong. We remain determined to defend American
interests and international principles in the Middle East.
Through Desert Shield and Desert Storm, we stood fast against
aggression. We showed the world: terrorism in all its forms
cannot succeed. //
In the end, the hostage-takers did more damage to their
cause than they did to American resolve. In the end, each
hostage-taking -- each heartless act against innocents --
announced to the world the inhumanity of the captors.
Tom Sutherland and Terry Anderson -- you were right when you
said no to negotiating with hostage-takers. This Administration
has followed a no-negotiation policy since the beginning.
Bargaining serves only to make a currency of human lives -- and
leads to more of the evil it seeks to end. I am convinced that
this course remains the world's best hope that no more innocent
men and women will meet your fate -- that no family will ever
again be forced to endure your years in agony.
This policy was not without risk. Sticking with it was
never easy -- especially for a country that cares so deeply about
every American held against his will. / But we have learned
4
that it works: It helped end the agony -- it helped bring
help you andwhing
home ///
Yes, America did its part. Many men and women in this
country and around the world -- most of whom you will never meet
-- worked to secure your freedom. Today, we recognize the
selfless efforts of one man who at great personal risk helped
bring you to freedom. In his years as special envoy at the
United Nations, Assistant Secretary-General Giani Picco has
sought always to serve peace and resolve conflict. Today, for
his efforts in winning the freedom of our hostages, we honor
Giandomenico Picco with the Presidential Award for Exceptional
Service. [CITATION READ -- PRESIDENT AWARDS MEDAL. ]
We also honor the man who made your release his personal
responsibility -- a man whose life work in service to
humanitarian ideals has won him honor the world over: Javier
Perez de Cuellar. //
Javier Perez de Cuellar has made peace among nations his
mission and taken the principles of the United Nations Charter as
his personal code. He was present at the creation: as a
delegate to the first General Assembly of the UN in 1946. We
first met in 1971, when each of us received the singular honor of
serving our countries as Permanent Representative to the United
Nations. My distinguished colleague went on to represent Peru in
the Security Council. For the past ten years, he has served the
cause of world peace as Secretary-General.
5
His tenure has marked the rebirth of the UN -- its emergence
as a force for peace. Cooperation now replaces Cold War conflict
-- and across the globe, the UN now leads the international
effort to resolve conflicts that have caused so much suffering.
Peacekeeping missions have proliferated -- 11 are underway right
now, 5 begun in the past year alone. // Mr. Secretary-General,
I am personally grateful for your strong stand against Iraq's
brutal assault on Kuwait -- and your tireless work to sustain the
coalition. In large part because of your leadership, the United
Nations now stands closer to its founding ideal than ever before.
//
Today, we honor this architect of peace -- a man I am proud
to call my friend. Mr. Secretary General: with great pride, I
now present to you the highest civilian honor this country can
bestow: the Medal of Freedom. [CITATION READ -- PRESIDENT
AWARDS MEDAL. ]
Finally, I want to present a simple gift -- this one to Tom
Sutherland. There are thousands more like it across America --
each one a symbol of the profound bonds Americans share. // It
was sent to me by Lynne Vincent, a teacher in Northridge,
California. For five years, she wore a bracelet inscribed with
your name. On the day of your release, she wrote: "I wanted you
to have my bracelet so you would know you were always in the
thoughts and prayers of many Americans." //
On the side of this simple band are the words "Hebrews
13:3. " The verse reads as follows: "Remember those who are in
6
bonds as if you were bound with them." We remembered -- we kept
you in our thoughts and prayers -- and in the end, the chains
that held you proved no match for the bonds that unite all
Americans. //
Today those open arms welcome all of you home. May God
bless the United States of America.
# # #
McGroarty/Bunton
December 11, 1991
5:15 p.m.
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: HOSTAGES/DE CUELLAR MEDAL OF FREEDOM
THE EAST ROOM
DECEMBER 12, 1991
5:00 P.M.
Good afternoon. I am honored to be joined here by two
gentlemen who represent our highest humanitarian ideals: UN
Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar and Assistant
Secretary-General Giandomenico Picco. // Let me also welcome to
the White House the friends and families of five special men
returned to freedom. / Finally, to Thomas Sutherland / Alann
Steen / Jesse Turner / Joseph Cicippio / and Terry Anderson: let
me simply say: welcome home. //
All over America, people waited for the day your long ordeal
would end. All over America, we share your joy: we thank God
that you are free. //
Nothing says it better than the sign back in Norristown,
Pennsylvania, in Thomas Cicippio's front yard. For five long
years, that sign served as a constant reminder: with the name of
each hostage -- and a number counting each cruel day of
captivity. Then, one by one, the numbers gave way to a sign
marked "FREED." Finally, just nine days ago, came the moment the
Cicippio family prayed for. Over Joseph's name, they nailed not
another number, but a sign, that read: "FREE AT LAST."
All of you have survived an act of unspeakable, uncivilized
cruelty. Hostage-taking is hell on a human scale -- not just for
the innocents held captive, but for the families they left
behind. /
2
No power on earth can give back the years you have lost.
Yet no one can take from you the strength of spirit that
sustained you. The world is now learning the horrors you
endured. But we're learning as well the story of your survival -
- the miracle you fashioned from the hope your captors could not
take away. //
We know now how you used the language of the deaf to
communicate from cell to cell -- to speak to one another in
silence; how you managed to learn from one another -- laugh with
one another -- help each other sustain a stubborn dignity. //
You demonstrated each day in captivity a defiant faith. You
believed in your country, your families, your colleagues -- and
yourselves. You knew, that one day, you would go free. //
Your triumph shines new light on a simple truth. The days
and years apart burn away the trivial things we once thought had
value -- to reveal what truly matters in life: family / faith /
hope and love. Seeing freedom through your eyes -- even for a
moment -- frees us from the petty concerns that so often hold us
hostage and distract us from life's larger joys. ///
The families here today are whole again. But for others,
the ordeal is not over: for two German citizens and their
families -- for the families of two courageous Americans whose
duty sent them to Lebanon and who died at the hands of their
captors. In the name of the civilized values we hold dear, I
call on those responsible for these crimes: Free Heinrich
Struebig and Thomas Kemptner. Return the remains of Rich Higgins
3
and William Buckley. Let the families of these innocent men find
peace. ///
The truth is clear: Hostage-taking has failed. From the
beginning in Tehran in 1979, hostage-takers sought to exploit our
system's reverence for the individual as a weakness. //
Your captors believed hostage-taking would tie our hands.
They were wrong. We remain determined to defend American
interests and international principles in the Middle East.
Through Desert Shield and Desert Storm, we stood fast against
aggression. We showed the world: terrorism in all its forms
cannot succeed. //
In the end, the hostage-takers did more damage to their
cause than they did to American resolve. In the end, each
hostage-taking -- each heartless act against innocents --
announced to the world the inhumanity of the captors.
Tom Sutherland and Terry Anderson -- you were right when you
said no to negotiating with hostage-takers. This Administration
has followed a no-negotiation policy since the beginning.
Bargaining serves only to make a currency of human lives -- and
leads to more of the evil it seeks to end. I am convinced that
this course remains the world's best hope that no more innocent
men and women will meet your fate -- that no family will ever
again be forced to endure your years in agony.
This policy was not without risk. Sticking with it was
never easy -- especially for a country that cares so deeply about
every American held against his will. / But we have learned
4
that it works: It helped end the agony -- it helped bring you
home. ///
Yes, America did its part. Many men and women in this
country and around the world -- most of whom you will never meet
-- worked to secure your freedom. Today, we recognize the
selfless efforts of one man who at great personal risk helped
bring you to freedom. In his years as special envoy at the
United Nations, Assistant Secretary-General Giani Picco has
sought always to serve peace and resolve conflict. Today, for
his efforts in winning the freedom of our hostages, we honor
Giandomenico Picco with the Presidential Award for Exceptional
Service. [CITATION READ -- PRESIDENT AWARDS MEDAL.]
We also honor the man who made your release his personal
responsibility -- a man whose life work in service to
humanitarian ideals has won him honor the world over: Javier
Perez de Cuellar. //
Javier Perez de Cuellar has made peace among nations his
mission and taken the principles of the United Nations Charter as
his personal code. He was present at the creation: as a
delegate to the first General Assembly of the UN in 1946. We
first met in 1971, when each of us received the singular honor of
serving our countries as Permanent Representative to the United
Nations. My distinguished colleague went on to represent Peru in
the Security Council. For the past ten years, he has served the
cause of world peace as Secretary-General.
5
His tenure has marked the rebirth of the UN -- its emergence
as a force for peace. Cooperation now replaces Cold War conflict
-- and across the globe, the UN now leads the international
effort to resolve conflicts that have caused so much suffering.
Peacekeeping missions have proliferated -- 11 are underway right
now, 5 begun in the past year alone. 11 Mr. Secretary-General,
I am personally grateful for your strong stand against Iraq's
brutal assault on Kuwait -- and your tireless work to sustain the
coalition. In large part because of your leadership, the United
Nations now stands closer to its founding ideal than ever before.
//
Today, we honor this architect of peace -- a man I am proud
to call my friend. Mr. Secretary General: with great pride, I
now present to you the highest civilian honor this country can
bestow: the Medal of Freedom. [CITATION READ -- PRESIDENT
AWARDS MEDAL.]
Finally, I want to present a simple gift -- this one to Tom
Sutherland. There are thousands more like it across America --
each one a symbol of the profound bonds Americans share. // It
was sent to me by Lynne Vincent, a teacher in Northridge,
California. For five years, she wore a bracelet inscribed with
your name. On the day of your release, she wrote: "I wanted you
to have my bracelet so you would know you were always in the
thoughts and prayers of many Americans." //
On the side of this simple band are the words "Hebrews
13:3." The verse reads as follows: "Remember those who are in
JI'K
6
bonds as if you were bound with them. " We remembered -- we kept
you in our thoughts and prayers -- and in the end, the chains
that held you proved no match for the bonds that unite all
Americans. //
Today those open arms welcome all of you home. May God
bless the United States of America.
# # #
KOREAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OUTLINE -- Jan. 6, 1992
McGroarty/ 12/12/91 10:30 a.m.
I. Introductory remarks:
A. World transformed since POTUS' '89 visit.
B. U.S. will stay engaged.
1. End of Cold War not beginning of new age of
isolationism.
II. Changes mean new era for U.S.-Korean relations.
A. Broad partnership -- political, economic, military.
B. Applaud Korea's democratization.
1. Greater role of Nat'l Assembly in Korean
politics.
C. Time to re-examine policies suited to old era.
1. National Security Law -- no longer necessary.
D. Democracy: Korea's greatest asset.
III. New era in economic relations.
A. N.K.-ROK contrast: case study in superiority of
capitalism.
1. Korea's double-digit growth record.
2. Contrast to resource-rich North.
B. Korea's economic progress -- a product of open markets
abroad.
C. Korea should now open its own markets/liberalize
investment system.
1. Key test -- Uruguay Round.
IV. Common Security Concerns:
A. North Korea -- one of world's last Cold War holdouts.
1. DMZ -- proof that Cold War not over for Korea.
B. U.S. support for peaceful unification of Koreas.
C. U.S. remains committed to ROK's security.
1. Encourage close security cooperation with Japan.
VI. Continuing threat V. prospects for peace.
A. North Korean nuclear threat -- region's greatest danger.
1. Cite ROK's rejection of weapons of mass
destruction.
2. North Korea -- no reason to seek nuclear weapons.
3. Challenge to North Korea -- accept NPT/inspections.
B. Cite importance of North-South Dialogue
1. Recent ROK-N.Korea Non-Aggression Treaty.
2. North-South Summit
VI. Concluding remarks:
A. U.S.-Korean relations -- key to prosperity and peace in
Asia/Pacific.
# # #
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
December 12, 1991
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
IN PRESENTATION OF MEDAL OF FREEDOM TO
U.N. SECRETARY GENERAL PEREZ DE CUELLAR
AND PRESIDENTIAL AWARD FOR EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE TO
ASSISTANT SECRETARY GENERAL GIANDOMENICO PICCO
The East Room
5:03 P.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: We are so happy -- Barbara and I are so
happy to be here for this very special pre-Christmas family occasion
at the White House. The Vice President is here; and I salute him.
Members of our Cabinet: Secretary of State; Secretary Mosbacher;
Secretary of Labor; Tom Pickering, our able Ambassador at the U.N.
And we all were just dying to come.
We're joined also by two gentlemen who represent the
highest in humanitarian ideals. And I'm talking, of course, about
Javier Perez de Cuellar, the Secretary General of the United Nations;
and the Assistant Secretary General Giani Picco, who is right here.
Let me also welcome to the White House the friends and the families
of five special men returned to freedom. Finally, to Thomas
Sutherland, Alann Steen, Jesse Turner, Joseph Cicippio and Terry
Anderson, let me simply say on behalf of our entire country, welcome
home. (Applause.)
All over America people waited for the day your long
ordeal would end. And all over America we share your joy and we
thank God that you are free.
Nothing says it better than, I think, the sign in
Norristown, Pennsylvania, in Thomas Cicippio's front yard. For five
long years that sign served as a constant reminder, with the name of
each hostage and a number counting each cruel day of captivity. And
then, one by one, the numbers gave way to a sign marked "Freed.' And
finally, just nine days ago, came the moment the Cicippio family
prayed for. And over Joseph's name, they nailed not another number
but a sign that read: "Free at last. And that said a lot for all
of us.
And all of you have survived an act of unspeakable,
uncivilized cruelty. Hostage-taking is hell on a human scale, not
just for the innocents held captive, but for the families, for the
families that they left behind. And no power on Earth can give back
the years that you've lost. And yet no one can take from you the
strength of the spirit that sustained you.
The world is now learning the horrors that you endured.
But we're learning as well -- and this is the good news -- the story
of your survival; the miracle that you fashioned from the hope your
captors could not take away.
We know now you used the language of the deaf to
communicate from cell to cell to speak to one another in silence; how
you managed to learn from one another, laugh with one another,
help each other sustain a stubborn dignity. And you demonstrated
each day in captivity a defiant faith. You believed in your country
and your families and your colleagues and yourselves. And you knew
that one day you would go free.
MORE
- 2 -
Your triumph shines new light on a simple truth: The
days and years apart burn away the trivial things we once thought had
value to reveal what truly matters in life -- family, faith, hope,
and love. And seeing freedom through your eyes even for a moment
frees us from the petty concerns that so often hold us hostage and
distract us from life's larger joys, larger meaning.
The families here today are whole again. But for others
the ordeal is not over -- for two German citizens and their families,
for the families of two courageous Americans whose duty sent them to
Lebanon and who died at the hands of their captors. In the name of
the civilized values that we hold dear, I call on those responsible
for these crimes, free Heinrich Struebig and Thomas Kemptner and
return the remains of Rich Higgins and William Buckley and let the
families of these innocent men find peace.
The truth is clear. Hostage-taking has failed. From
the beginning in Tehran in 1979, hostage-takers sought to exploit our
system's reverence for the individual. They sought to exploit that
as a weakness. And your captors believed hostage-taking would tie
our hands, and they were wrong. We remained determined to defend
American interests in international principles in the Middle East.
Through Desert Shield and Desert Storm we stood fast against
aggression, and we showed the world that terrorism in all its forms
can't succeed. And in the end, the hostage-takers did more damage to
their cause than they did to America's resolve; certainly than they
did to your resolve. And in the end, each hostage-taking, each
heartless act against innocence announced to the world the inhumanity
of the captors.
Tom Sutherland and Terry Anderson, you were right when
you said no to negotiating with hostage-takers. This administration
has followed a no-negotiation policy since the beginning. Bargaining
serves only to make a currency of human lives and leads to more of
the evil that it seeks to end. I am convinced that this course
remains the world's best hope that no more innocent men and women
will meet your fate; that no family will ever again be forced to
endure your years in agony.
This policy was not without risk. Sticking with it
wasn't easy, especially for a country that cares so deeply about
every American held against his will. That we've learned that it
works. It helped end the agony and I like to feel that it helped
bring you home.
Yes, America did its part. Many men and women in this
country and around the world, most of whom you'll never meet, worked
to secure your freedom. And today, we want to go on. So many of the
family members sitting behind you all and aside of you did their
part, and boy, did they do it well. And it wasn't just spouses, it
was sisters and brothers and plenty of others I might single out
here.
But there are others as well. And today we want to
recognize the selfless efforts of one man who, at great personal
risk, helped bring you to freedom. And I might say parenthetically
that one of the first words I heard from Terry Anderson was the
suggestion that we honor the man we're about to honor, and the other
one as well.
In his years as Special Envoy at the United Nations,
Assistant Secretary General Giani Picco has sought always to serve
peace and to resolve conflict. Today for his efforts in winning the
freedom of our hostages, we honor Mr. Picco with the Presidential
Award for Exceptional Service.
MORE
- 3 -
Would you come up here, please, sir? (Applause.) Very
proud to have you here.
I will ask the Major to read the citation please.
Please. be seated.
(The citation is read.)
"The United States honors Mr. Picco in recognition of
his distinguished role in facilitating the release of hostages held
in Lebanon. His skillful diplomacy with Middle Eastern governments
and officials and representatives of the hostage holders has resulted
in freedom for many individuals held in the region outside the due
process of law, including six Americans.
His personal courage in the face of danger and his
dedication to the mission represent the best tradition of
international civil service.
(Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT: We also honor the man who made your
release his personal responsibility, a man whose life work in service
to humanitarian ideals has won him honor the world over -- Javier
Perez de Cuellar. (Laughter.)
Before asking the Major to read the citation let me just
say this: He made peace among all nations his mission. He's taken
the principles of the United Nations Charter as a personal code.
He was present at the creation as a delegate to the
first General Assembly of the United Nations back in 1946. And we
first met in 1971 when each of us received the singular honor of
serving our countries as Permanent Representative to the United
Nations.
My distinguished colleague went on to represent Peru in
the Security Council, and then, of course, as we all know, for the
past 10 years he has served the cause of world peace as Secretary
General.
His tenure has marked the rebirth -- literally, the
rebirth of the United Nations; its emergence as a force for peace.
Cooperation now replaces Cold War conflict. And across the globe the
U.N. now leads the international effort to resolve conflicts that
have caused so much suffering. Peacekeeping missions have
proliferated. Eleven are underway right now; five begun in the past
year alone.
And, Mr. Secretary General, I am personally grateful to
you for your strong stand against Iraq's assault on Kuwait, your
tireless work to sustain the coalition. In large part because of
your leadership, the United Nations now stands closer to its founding
ideal than at any time in history.
And today then we honor this architect of peace, a man
we are all proud to call friend -- that Barbara and I especially
treasure the friendship for the Perez de Cuellars. Mr. Secretary-
General, with great pride I now present to you the highest civilian
honor this country can bestow, the Medal of Freedom. And I will ask
the major to read the citation.
(The citation is read.)
"Javier Perez de Cuellar. For 10 years of exceptionally
distinguished service as Secretary General of the United Nations,
Javier Perez de Cuellar presided over the rebirth of that
institution. With wisdom, vision, diplomacy and skill, he forged a
MORE
- 4 -
U.N. where cooperation in reaching common goals is replacing rhetoric
and division.
His tireless dedication to conflict resolution, and
economic and social concerns has contributed to a better world and
ensured a strengthened U.N. more capable than ever of fulfilling its
Charter.
His service has been marked by a singular devotion to
humanitarian interests, including the life, security and safety of
individual people throughout the world.
The United States honors a servant of humankind who has
advanced the cause of freedom and hope."
THE PRESIDENT: Congratulations. (Applause.)
THE SECRETARY GENERAL: Mr. President, Mrs. Bush,
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, it is a tremendous honor for me
to receive the Medal of Freedom, an award that I shall value all the
more highly because it has been given to me by my old and very dear
friend, President Bush.
In my view, it is really more appropriate that this
tribute should be paid to the United Nations as a whole rather than
to me personally. Today, as never before, the organization is being
called upon to fulfill the responsibility entrusted to it by its
founding fathers nearly half a century ago. The circumstances in the
international arena that have made it possible for the United Nations
to carry out this role are deeply gratifying. And much credit is due
to President Bush himself, who has a profound understanding of the
organization and its goals.
Mr President, it gives me special pleasure to attend
this ceremony after having been greeted by a group of brave and
wonderful men who, at this moment, understand more fully than we
possibly can the true meaning of freedom. That these former American
hostages have, at long last, been reunited with their loved ones and
especially during this holiday season makes the efforts that I and my
efficient and loyal assistant, Mr. Giandomenico Picco, have
undertaken these many months all the more worthwhile.
At the same time, Mr. President, I cannot but mention
with sorrow an American who was kidnapped while serving the United
Nations -- namely, Colonel William R. Higgins -- who was, at the time
of his abduction, chief of a peacekeeping observer group in South
Lebanon. It is tragic that the lives of this innocent man was lost.
I am doing everything possible to see to it that his body is returned
promptly to his family.
As I prepare to leave office, I would like, once again,
to thank President Bush for the cooperation and support he has
extended to me as Secretary General, and to the United Nations more
widely; and particularly in helping to ensure that the United Nations
may fulfill the enormous expectations that today exist for greater
peace, stability and respect, for human rights to all the world.
Thank you, Mr. President. (Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT: I know some of us are going over to
light America's Christmas Tree across the way, but Barbara and I just
have to say hello to the families. So what we'll suggest is, we'll
go out here in the hall and you all come wandering out -- you've got
to do that; that's mandatory. You have to say hello to us. And
then, please take your families and browse through this winter
wonderland. The work on all these decorations was done by volunteers
from all over this country, and I think you'll feel, as we do, that
the White House is blessed by this wonderful dedication and the gift
from the American people.
- 5 -
So it's a fitting time that you all are here. And I
think we'll just wander on out now and ask you to come, and please,
all of you just come by and say hello -- we'd love that. (Applause.)
END
5:19 P.M. EST
McGroarty/Bunton
December 11, 1991
10:00 a.m.
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: HOSTAGES/DE CUELLAR MEDAL OF FREEDOM
THE EAST ROOM
DECEMBER 12, 1991
5:00 P.M.
Good afternoon. I am honored to be joined here by two
gentlemen who represent our highest humanitarian ideals: UN
Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar and Assistant
Secretary-General Giandomenico Picco. // Let me also welcome to
the White House the friends and families of five special men
returned to freedom. / Finally, to Thomas Sutherland / Alann
Steen / Jesse Turner / Joseph Cicippio / and Terry Anderson: let
me simply say: welcome home. //
All over America, people waited for the day your long ordeal
would end. All over America, we share your joy: we thank God
that you are free.
Nothing says it better than the sign back in Norristown,
Thomas
Pennsylvania -- in Tom Cicippio's front yard. For five long
years, that sign served as a grim reminder: with the name of
each hostage, a number counting each cruel day. Then, one by one,
the numbers gave way to a sign marked FREED. Finally, just nine
Tom
days ago, over his brother's name, be another number,
but a sign, that read: "FREE AT LAST."
All of you have survived an act of unspeakable, uncivilized
cruelty. Hostage-taking is hell on a human scale -- not just for
the innocents held captive, but for the families they left
behind. /
2
No power on earth can give back the years you have
lost. Yet no one can take from you the strength of spirit that
sustained you. The world is now learning the horrors you
endured. But we're learning as well the story of your survival -
- the miracle you fashioned from the hope your captors could not
take away. //
We know now how you used the language of the deaf to
communicate from cell to cell -- to speak to one another in
silence. How you managed to learn from one another -- even laugh
with one another -- helped one another retain a stubborn grasp on
your dignity. // You demonstrated each day in captivity a
defiant faith. You believed in your country, your families, your
colleagues -- and yourselves. You knew, that one day, you would
go free. //
Your triumph shines new light on a simple truth. The days
and years apart burn away the trivial things we once thought had
value -- to reveal what truly matters in life: family / faith /
hope and love. Seeing freedom through your eyes -- even for a
moment -- frees us from the petty concerns that so often hold us
hostage and distract us from life's larger joys. ///
For all of you here, the nightmare has ended. But for
others, it continues: for two German citizens and their families
-- for the families of two courageous Americans whose duty sent
them to Lebanon and who died at the hands of their captors. In
the name of the civilized values we hod hold dear, I call on those
responsible for these crimes: Free Heinrich Struebig and Thomas
3
Kemptner. Return the remains of Rich Higgins and William
Buckley. Let the families of these innocent men find peace. ///
The truth is clear: Hostage-taking has failed. From the
beginning in Tehran in 1979, hostage-takers sought to exploit our
system's reverence for the individual as a weakness. They tried
to use the suffering of innocents to force us to negotiate. But
we learned -- we learned at some cost -- that making deals with
terrorists is a mistake. //
Your captors believed hostage-taking would tie our hands.
Yet it did nothing to diminish our will to defend American
interests and international principles in the Middle East.
Through Desert Shield and Desert Storm, we stood fast against
aggression. Our triumph sent a signal that terrorism in all its
forms cannot succeed. //
In the end, the hostage-takers did more damage to their
cause than they did to American resolve. In the end, each
hostage-taking -- each heartless act against innocents --
announced to the world the inhumanity of the captors.
(Tom:)
Tom Sutherland and Terry Anderson -- you were right when you
said no to negotiating with hostage-takers. This Administration
has followed that course since the beginning. Bargaining serves
only to make a currency of human lives -- and leads to more of
the evil it seeks to end. I am convinced that this course
remains the world's best hope that no more innocent men and women
will meet your fate -- that no family will ever again be forced
to endure your years in agony.
4
This policy was not without risk. Sticking with it was
never easy -- especially in a democracy that values individual
freedom above all else. But we have learned that it works: It
ended the agony -- it brought you home. ///
Yes, America did its part. Many men and women in this
country and around the world -- most of whom you will never meet
-- worked to secure your freedom. Today, we recognize the
selfless efforts of one man who at great personal risk helped
bring you to freedom. In his years as special envoy at the
United Nations, Assistant Secretary-General Giani Picco has
sought always to serve peace and resolve conflict. Today, for
his efforts in winning the freedom of our hostages, we honor
Giandomenico Picco with the Presidential Award for Exceptional
Service. [CITATION READ -- PRESIDENT AWARDS MEDAL.]
We also honor the man who made your release a personal
crusade -- a man whose life work in service to humanitarian
ideals has won him honor the world over: Javier Perez de
Cuellar. //
Javier Perez de Cuellar has made peace among nations his
mission and taken the principles of the United Nations Charter as
his personal code. He was present at the creation: as a
delegate to the first General Assembly of the UN in 1946. We
first met in 1971, when each of us received the singular honor of
serving our countries as Permanent Representative to the United
Nations. My distinguished colleague went on to represent Peru in
5
the Security Council. For the past ten years, he has served the
cause of world peace as Secretary-General.
{During his tenure, the UN has been reborn. Cooperation
replaces Cold War conflict. The UN progress has been made in
conflicts that have long defied solution.} Peacekeeping missions
have proliferated -- 11 are underway right now, 5 begun in the
past year alone. // Mr. Secretary-General, I am personally
grateful for your strong stand against Iraq's brutal assault on
Kuwait -- and your tireless work to sustain the coalition. In
large part because of your leadership, the United Nations now
stands closer to its founding ideal than ever before. //
Today, we honor this architect of peace -- a man I am proud
to call my friend. Mr. Secretary General, it is with great pride
that I now present to you the highest civilian honor this country
can bestow: the Medal of Freedom. [CITATION READ -- PRESIDENT
AWARDS MEDAL. ]
Finally, I want to present a simple gift -- this one to
Thomas Sutherland. There are thousands more like it across
America -- each one a symbol of the profound bonds Americans
share. / It was sent to me by Lynn e Vincent, a teacher in
Northridge, California. For five years, she wore a bracelet
inscribed with your name. On the day of your release, she wrote:
"I wanted you to have my bracelet so you would know you were
always in the thoughts and prayers of many Americans." //
S
On the side of this simple band are the words "Hebrew 13:3."
The verse reads as follows: "Remember those who are in bonds as
6
if you were bound with them. " We remembered -- we kept you in
our thoughts and prayers -- and in the end, the chains that held
you proved no match for the bonds that unite all Americans. //
Today those open arms welcome you home. May God bless the
United States of America.
# # #
McGroarty/Bunton
December 12, 1991
1:45 p.m.
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: HOSTAGES/DE CUELLAR MEDAL OF FREEDOM
THE EAST ROOM
DECEMBER 12, 1991
5:00 P.M.
Good afternoon. Barbara and I are happy to be here with
Vice President and Mrs. Quayle; with several members of my
Cabinet: Jim Baker, Bob Mosbacher, Lynn Martin. //
We are joined today by two gentlemen who represent our
highest humanitarian ideals: UN Secretary-General Javier Perez
de Cuellar and Assistant Secretary-General Giandomenico Picco.
// Let me also welcome to the White House the friends and
families of five special men returned to freedom. / Finally, to
Thomas Sutherland / Alann Steen / Jesse Turner / Joseph Cicippio
/ and Terry Anderson: let me simply say: welcome home. //
All over America, people waited for the day your long ordeal
would end. All over America, we share your joy: we thank God
that you are free. //
Nothing says it better than the sign back in Norristown,
Pennsylvania, in Thomas Cicippio's front yard. For five long
years, that sign served as a constant reminder: with the name of
each hostage -- and a number counting each cruel day of
captivity. Then, one by one, the numbers gave way to a sign
marked "FREED." Finally, just nine days ago, came the moment the
Cicippio family prayed for. Over Joseph's name, they nailed not
another number, but a sign, that read: "FREE AT LAST."
All of you have survived an act of unspeakable, uncivilized
cruelty. Hostage-taking is hell on a human scale -- not just for
2
the innocents held captive, but for the families they left
behind. /
No power on earth can give back the years you have lost.
Yet no one can take from you the strength of spirit that
sustained you. The world is now learning the horrors you
endured. But we're learning as well the story of your survival -
- the miracle you fashioned from the hope your captors could not
take away. //
We know now how you used the language of the deaf to
communicate from cell to cell -- to speak to one another in
silence; how you managed to learn from one another -- laugh with
one another -- help each other sustain a stubborn dignity. //
You demonstrated each day in captivity a defiant faith. You
believed in your country, your families, your colleagues -- and
yourselves. You knew, that one day, you would go free. //
Your triumph shines new light on a simple truth. The days
and years apart burn away the trivial things we once thought had
value -- to reveal what truly matters in life: family / faith /
hope and love. Seeing freedom through your eyes -- even for a
moment -- frees us from the petty concerns that so often hold us
hostage and distract us from life's larger joys. ///
The families here today are whole again. But for others,
the ordeal is not over: for two German citizens and their
families -- for the families of two courageous Americans whose
duty sent them to Lebanon and who died at the hands of their
captors. In the name of the civilized values we hold dear, I
3
call on those responsible for these crimes: Free Heinrich
Struebig and Thomas Kemptner. Return the remains of Rich Higgins
and William Buckley. Let the families of these innocent men find
peace. ///
The truth is clear: Hostage-taking has failed. From the
beginning in Tehran in 1979, hostage-takers sought to exploit our
system's reverence for the individual as a weakness. //
Your captors believed hostage-taking would tie our hands.
They were wrong. We remain determined to defend American
interests and international principles in the Middle East.
Through Desert Shield and Desert Storm, we stood fast against
aggression. We showed the world: terrorism in all its forms
cannot succeed. //
In the end, the hostage-takers did more damage to their
cause than they did to American resolve. In the end, each
hostage-taking -- each heartless act against innocents --
announced to the world the inhumanity of the captors.
Tom Sutherland and Terry Anderson -- you were right when you
said no to negotiating with hostage-takers. This Administration
has followed a no-negotiation policy since the beginning.
Bargaining serves only to make a currency of human lives -- and
leads to more of the evil it seeks to end. I am convinced that
this course remains the world's best hope that no more innocent
men and women will meet your fate -- that no family will ever
again be forced to endure your years in agony.
4
This policy was not without risk. Sticking with it was
never easy -- especially for a country that cares so deeply about
every American held against his will. / But we have learned
that it works: It helped end the agony -- it helped bring you
home. ///
Yes, America did its part. Many men and women in this
country and around the world -- most of whom you will never meet
-- worked to secure your freedom. Today, we recognize the
selfless efforts of one man who at great personal risk helped
bring you to freedom. In his years as special envoy at the
United Nations, Assistant Secretary-General Giani Picco has
sought always to serve peace and resolve conflict. Today, for
his efforts in winning the freedom of our hostages, we honor
Giandomenico Picco with the Presidential Award for Exceptional
Service. [CITATION READ -- PRESIDENT AWARDS MEDAL.]
We also honor the man who made your release his personal
responsibility -- a man whose life work in service to
humanitarian ideals has won him honor the world over: Javier
Perez de Cuellar. //
Javier Perez de Cuellar has made peace among nations his
mission and taken the principles of the United Nations Charter as
his personal code. He was present at the creation: as a
delegate to the first General Assembly of the UN in 1946. We
first met in 1971, when each of us received the singular honor of
serving our countries as Permanent Representative to the United
Nations. My distinguished colleague went on to represent Peru in
5
the Security Council. For the past ten years, he has served the
cause of world peace as Secretary-General.
His tenure has marked the rebirth of the UN -- its emergence
as a force for peace. Cooperation now replaces Cold War conflict
-- and across the globe, the UN now leads the international
effort to resolve conflicts that have caused so much suffering.
Peacekeeping missions have proliferated -- 11 are underway right
now, 5 begun in the past year alone. // Mr. Secretary-General,
I am personally grateful for your strong stand against Iraq's
brutal assault on Kuwait -- and your tireless work to sustain the
coalition. In large part because of your leadership, the United
Nations now stands closer to its founding ideal than ever before.
//
Today, we honor this architect of peace -- a man I am proud
to call my friend. Mr. Secretary General: with great pride, I
now present to you the highest civilian honor this country can
bestow: the Medal of Freedom. [CITATION READ -- PRESIDENT
AWARDS MEDAL.]
Finally, I want to present a simple gift -- this one to Tom
Sutherland. There are thousands more like it across America --
each one a symbol of the profound bonds Americans share. // It
was sent to me by Lynne Vincent, a teacher in Northridge,
California. For five years, she wore a bracelet inscribed with
your name. On the day of your release, she wrote: "I wanted you
to have my bracelet so you would know you were always in the
thoughts and prayers of many Americans." //
6
On the side of this simple band are the words "Hebrews
13:3." The verse reads as follows: "Remember those who are in
bonds as if you were bound with them." We remembered -- we kept
you in our thoughts and prayers -- and in the end, the chains
that held you proved no match for the bonds that unite all
Americans. //
Today those open arms welcome all of you home. May God
bless the United States of America.
# # #
MEDIAL OF FREEDOM CEREMONY
5P EASTROOM
ACKS: 4:15P close
SEC. BAKER
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AMBASSADOR THOMAS
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(Darman)
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Good Afternoon. Banbara + I me
happy to he hear w/ Kee Pres + MRS Quay le,
with my my Cabriet: Spec Jun
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- 16 -
Q
When the U.S. extended this most recent help, was
it based on an assessment as dire as Gates was giving yesterday, or
is what he was saying yesterday above and beyond what you folks had
thought was the case?
MR. FITZWATER: All the things have been known and
certainly were a part of estimates made by the Crowder mission and
others. And, of course, Gates's analysis yesterday went way beyond
just the food situation; it was talking about general status of the
government and that sort of thing.
So there are going to be problems in that country. They
are going to be immediate and long-term. All the countries of the
world, certainly the G-7 countries, are poised to help. You'll
recall that the G-7 has had representatives in Moscow twice in the
last month or so to do this very thing, to make this kind of on-the-
scene analysis of the short-term-long-term needs and how they can
help.
Q
Does the President share that analysis, Marlin?
Does he think the Soviet Union's facing the worst civil strife since
1917?
MR. FITZWATER: Well, this was the analysis by the CIA
and, obviously, we accept their analysis as being the best judgment
of our government as to what's happening there. And you'll recall
Secretary Baker said a few days ago, we were very concerned about
events there, we're concerned they could have a Yugoslovia-type
situation there. So Director Gates was able to give detail and to
flesh out these general concerns that all of us feel, including the
President and the Secretary of State and others.
Q
Well, what real help can the U.S. be in trying to
avoid the bloodshed? I mean, are you talking to the individual
republics, attempting to make clear that if they want to keep doing
business with us, don't get the guns out?
MR. FITZWATER: Well, I'll refer you to State Department
for those specific conversations, but suffice to say we're talking to
everybody.
Q
Evans and Novak, in their column today, says that
the Army Chief of Staff in the Soviet Union, General Lobov, was
relieved over the weekend because he was found conspiring to set up a
deal where hundreds of officers would be involved in selling weapons
and nuclear technology, perhaps, to other nations. One, do you have
that assessment; is that the case? Two, are you also concerned
about, as Gates was referring to, the possibility of further nuclear
destabilization like that by the Soviet military?
MR. FITZWATER: We wouldn't comment on that specific
information or what's in his column. But certainly we have all
voiced that concern for the stability of the military. And you hear
it in the Soviet Union. President Gorbachev, President Yeltsin and
others are talking with military leaders in the last day or SO. And
we have expressed our concern about nuclear weapons. We would like
to see them under a unified command.
So, yes, in a situation where you have the country
changing itself into a number of different republics and pieces of
the military in each of them, we have all of those general concerns.
I don't know about this specific case.
THE PRESS: Thank you.
END
1:12 P.M. EST
#420-12/11
WASH.
POST:
11/20/91
Sutherland, in Germany,
Embraces Wife, Family
Medical Condition Said to Be Favorable
177
By Steve Vogel
a steak en route, Sutherland hopped
Special to The Washington Post
out of the U.S. ambassador's car
and declared himself overwhelmed
WIESBADEN, Germany, Nov.
by the attention given a "lowly hos-
19-An overjoyed and vigorous-
tage." He expressed eagerness for
looking Thomas Sutherland, ap-
his imminent reunion with his wife.
pearing on a hospital balcony at the
"We've got the rest of our lives to
U.S. military medical center here
live and it's going to be wonderful,"
today, kissed and embraced mem-
he said.
bers of his family who had flown to
The Scottish-born American ed-
join him after his 6½ years of cap-
ucator rested during the morning,
tivity in Lebanon.
underwent medical testing, and had
"No words," said Sutherland's
lunch with his wife and daughter Kit
wife Jean, who hugged her husband
after they arrived.
when asked how it felt to have him
Jean Sutherland, who had re-
back at her side. "Body language."
mained in Beirut as part of the
Smiling broadly, Sutherland, gave
American University's English-lan-
two thumbs up and pumped his
guage program, was en route to
arms when asked about his health.
Ames, Iowa, for her father's funeral
Medical teams at the hospital are
when she learned of the release.
continuing their examination. "The
She changed planes in Newark and
early returns are he appears to be
flew here. Kit Sutherland, 31, flew
in good medical condition," said a
in from Colorado, where she is a
military spokesman.
research associate at Colorado
Sutherland, 60, dean of agricul-
State University. A second daugh-
ture at the American University of
ter, Joan, 27, and two of Suther-
Beirut, was kidnapped on June 9,
land's brothers, William and Peter,
1985, when gunmen shot out the
arrived later in the day and joined
tires and windshield of a car taking
the former hostage during his bal-
him from the Beirut airport to his
cony appearance this afternoon.
home.
Sutherland introduced them to
No one claimed responsibility,
reporters and added that his third
but the radical group Islamic Jihad
daughter, Ann, was unable to come
was identified as holding Suther-
because she is expecting to deliver
land. There have been suggestions
a baby shortly in Berkeley, Calif.
that the group confused him with
Although Sutherland said little
the then-president of the university,
during the brief appearance, he ap-
Calvin Plimpton.
peared to relish the attention given
Sutherland was jubilant during
him much more than some recently
his early morning arrival in Ger-
released hostages. A press confer-
many, landing at Rhein-Main Air
ence with him and his family sched-
Base on a U.S. Air Force C-130 at
uled for Wednesday was set at his
4:28 a.m. He apologized to report-
request, according to a military
ers for not bringing Associated
spokesman.
Press correspondent Terry Ander-
Most released hostages have re-
son, the only hostage held longer
mained at Wiesbaden three to four
than Sutherland, but predicted the
days, but Sutherland's stay is likely
reporter's imminent release.
to be shortened so he and his family
After being driven to Wies-
can travel to Iowa for the funeral
baden-fog and rain scrapped a
Friday of Jean Sutherland's father,
planned helicopter ride-and eating
who died of cancer Saturday.
N.Y. TIMES 11/20/91
Two Freed Hostages Reunited With Their Families After Years of Separation
Sutherland Expecting More Captives to Be Released Soon
By FERDINAND PROTZMAN
Special to The New York Times
1
WIESBADEN, Germany, Nov. 19 -
Appearing weary but in good spirits,
Thomas M. Sutherland arrived in Ger-
many early today and was reunited
with his family after spending more
than six years chained in a mosquito-
infested cell in Lebanon.
He said his Shiite Muslim captors
would soon release all the Western
hostages being held in Lebanon.
"They should be coming out short-
ly," he said on arrival at a United
States military hospital here. Holding
hostages "has become an embarrass-
ment" to his former captors, Mr. Suth-
erland said. "They realize it doesn't
pay."
Mr. Sutherland, a 60-year-old Scot-
tish-born American, was dean of agri-
culture at the American University of
Beirut when he was seized by pro-
Iranian Muslim fundamentalists on
June 9, 1985, as he was returning from
a trip to the United States.
Other Releases Expected
He was released Monday along with
Terry Waite, an envoy for the Chruch
of England. Both men said they be-
lieved that the other hostages would be
released soon. At a news conference in
Damascus, Mr. Waite told reporters
that the hostages had been chained to
the wall of their cell virtually round the
clock.
"I'm very sorry I couldn't bring Ter-
ry Anderson, your colleague, with me,"
he told journalists on arrival at the
military hospital at Lindsey Air Sta-
tion, where he will be given a medical
checkup and be debriefed. "They as-
sured us that he would be freed by the
end of the month."
Terry A. Anderson, the chief Middle
East correspondent of The Associated
The captors
a-half years."
Press, is the longest-held Western hos-
He also had not seen his wife, Jean,
tage in Lebanon. He is expected to be
realize hostage-
until today. She arrived here around
one of the last to be released, in part
midday, as did his 31-year-old daugh-
because the publicity surrounding his
ter, Kit. Another of his three daughters,
captivity has increased his value as a
taking 'doesn't
Joan, and two brothers from Scotland,
bargaining chip.
Peter and William, arrived later. Mr.
Heinrich Strübig and Thomas
Kemptner, two German aid workers,
pay.
Sutherland's eldest daughter is having
a baby and cannot travel.
have also been held hostage in Lebanon
since May 1989. Mr. Sutherland said he
Mrs. Sutherland and her daughter
was confident that United Nations ne-
by helicopter to the hospital as
flew in from the United States, where
gotiators were still working for their
planned, so he was taken by car, arriv-
they had been on their way to the
release.
ing at about 5:30 A.M.
funeral of Mrs. Sutherland's father,
Alberto Molinari, an elderly Italian
William G. Murray, who died of cancer
businessman, is also counted among
'Hello, friends. I'm very very happy
Saturday at age 88. Mr. Murray acted
the Westerners missing in Lebanon,
to be here, to meet all of you," he told a
as the family spokesman during Mr.
but his captors are unknown, and there
small crowd of American military per-
Sutherland's years of captivity. Family
have been reports that he has died.
sonnel that greeted him with cheers
members said the funeral would be
and banners. Mr. Sutherland looked
postponed from Thursday until Friday
Met by U.S. Ambassador
tired but reasonably fit and was clearly
in the hope that Mr. Sutherland could
in excellent spirits.
attend.
Mr. Sutherland landed at the sprawl-
ing American Rhine-Main air base out-
"I never felt so wonderful in all my
Arriving at Frankfurt airport, Mrs.
side Frankfurt on a military transport
life as I feel now - it's just wonderful,"
Sutherland said she had spoken with
from Damascus. He was met by Rob-
he said. Presented with a bouquet of
her husband by telephone on Monday
ert Kimmitt, the United States Ambas-
flowers topped by an American flag,
evening. "He hasn't lost his sense of
sador to Germany. Because of fog and
Mr. Sutherland smiled broadly and
humor," she said. "I saw him on TV,
rain, Mr. Sutherland could not be taken
said, "I haven't seen flowers in six-and-
and he looked just like yesterday."
N. Y. TIMES: 11/26/91
Ex-Hostage Returns to a Larger Family
177
Special to The New York Times
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 25 - Freed
last week after six and a half years in
captivity, Thomas M. Sutherland
reached the end of a long journey today
that brought him back on American
soil and face to face with a grand-
daughter he had never met.
During a stopover earlier today in
Dallas, Mr. Sutherland said he was
looking forward to Thanksgiving with
his daughter, Ann, who is eight and a
half months pregnant.
"My Dad and I haven't had that
much time to go over what each other
has been going through," Ann Suther-
land told The Associated Press just
hours before their reunion.
The family plans to gather for
Thanksgiving at the Berkeley Hills
home where Ms. Sutherland lives with
her husband and a daughter whom Mr.
Sutherland has never met.
Arriving back in the United States
today, the Mr. Sutherland, who had
been held by Lebanese militants, de-
clared: "This is the first time I've been
on American soil since the evening of
the eighth of June, 1985, and I want to
tell you it surely feels good. It's exhila-
rating."
At the same time, the 60-year-old
professor at the American Univeristy
in Beirut, said he wanted to return to
his teaching job as soon as he is physi-
cally fit. Mr. Sutherland was found to
be suffering from a stomach ulcer af-
ter his release last Monday.
The former captive looked drawn
and tired at a stopover in Dallas on his
flight from Frankfurt to San Francisco
and a long-awaited family reunuion.
Traveling with him were his wife, Jean,
and two of their three daughters, Joan
and Kit. At the start of Mr. Suther-
land's talk with reporters, his wife said
he would be eager to speak.
"He's so happy to see you he'll be
here for hours,' Jean Sutherland said.
"Are you casting aspersions over my
loquacity?" Mr. Sutherland kindly re-
Associated Press
sponded.
A week after his six-and-a-half-year ordeal as a hostage in Lebanon
Mr. Sutherland, who was freed last
ended. Thomas M. Sutherland arrived back in the United States. He
week along with Terry Waite, a Church
of England official, recalled that he
was escorted to the customs area at the Dallas-Fort Worth airport.
shared last Thanksgiving with Terry
Anderson, a reporter with The Associ-
ated Press who remains in captivity,
State Department and a family meet-
mitted to finishing this hostage busi-
"chained to the wall eating pita bread
ing.
ness up."
Mr. Sutherland said his stomach con-
and cheese, rice and maybe lentils.' He
Mr. Sutherland said his treatment
said he did not exactly remember the
dition, which kept him from coming
was "sometimes pretty awful and real-
menu, adding "it was pretty much the
home for several days, was not as
ly not too bad at all." He said he and
same day after day."
serious as doctors had feared. He said
Mr. Anderson had access to radios,
The former hostage said he had no
the condition was the result of a lack of
television and books in the last year.
trepidation about returning to Beirut
sleep and the traces of blood found
Guards 'Lied About Everything'
despite the years he spent in captivity.
when he began vomiting may have
"Beirut is a different place from what
come from the removal of a tooth.
But he said his guards "lied about
everything."
it was," he said. "There may still be
Anderson Given Credit
He said, "They lied about what time
problems around. But the American
Mr. Sutherland credited Mr. Ander-
it was, for heaven sakes."
University of Beirut is a great universi-
son with keeping him alive, saying the
He said his captors became much
ty. It needs some rebuilding now. I
two of them listened to radio broad-
more respectful of the United States
would like to be a part of that if it's
casts, told stories and often joked with
after the United States defeated Iraq in
possible because that is the commit-
each other. He said he learned a lot
the Persion Gulf war. He said he had
ment we made back in 1983. Jean and I
about how the press worked from Mr.
bet captors that the United States
still feel strongly about that."
Anderson and that knowledge in part
would defeat the Iraqis in five days
Asked if he had any fear about going
was the reason he was talking so open-
even though he allowed that he had
back to Beirut, Mr. Sutherland an-
ly about his experience.
nothing to bet with and he said he lost
swered with a chuckle, "Not really, but
"Terry Anderson," he said, "has no
the bet when the United States defeated
I think I would look over my shoulder
idea what kind of reception is waiting
the Iraqis in just 100 hours after the
now and again."
for him."
beginning of the ground war.
Jean Sutherland, who taught English
Mr. Sutherland said he believed the
Mr. Sutherland said he held the Unit-
at the American University while he
rest of the hostages would be released
ed States Government blameless for
husband was held in captivity, was just
soon and he said it was not unusual that
being a hostage. "I was warned many
as resolute about the couple's ambition
his captors, who operate under a group
times by the U.S. to get out of there,' he
to return. "We do think that America
called the Party of God, or Hezbollah,
said. "It was my decision to stay there.
was built on the idea that people went
have not lived up to the commitment
I honestly thought I wouldn't be kid-
to dangerous places and they went to
they made to him when they let him go.
napped."
frontiers and they did the things that
"I'm still very hopeful," said Mr.
He said he always thought he would
should be done," she said.
Sutherland. "I think they are con-
be released because a dead hostage
Mr. Sutherland said a final decision
cerned now that hostage-taking doesn't
has little value. But he said after four
on his return would await the result of
help and that it is a great detriment to
years in captivity, he began to have
discussions with the university, the
Lebanon and Hezbollah. They are com-
occasional doubts.
WASH. POST: 12/04/91
Hostage
162
Steen Freed
In Beirut
Anderson's Release
Reportedly Imminent
177
By Steve Vogel
Special to The Washington Post
STILL IN CAPTIVITY
WIESBADEN, Germany, Dec.
Joseph Cicippio, who was released
WESTERN HOSTAGES
3-American educator Alann
Monday, said he has permanent
AMERICAN
Steen was released from nearly
frostbite damage from being
five years in captivity in Lebanon
chained outside during two winters
Terry A. Anderson,
today, and the drama of Ameri-
and occasional dizzy spells that may
44, chief Middle
East
cans held hostage appeared near
be the result of a blow he received
correspondent for
an end amid word that journalist
from his kidnappers when he was
the Associated
Terry Anderson, the longest-held
abducted in 1986.
Press, kidnapped
hostage, would be set free Wed-
Steen was the seventh Western
March 16, 1985.
nesday.
hostage released since August,
Steen arrived at the U.S. mil-
when, under a U.N.-brokered deal,
OTHERS
itary hospital here late this after-
Israel began freeing Arab prisoners
noon after being released in Bei-
held in its security zone in southern
German
Heinrich Struebig, 50,
Lebanon.
and Thomas
rut by his pro-Iranian kidnappers,
the Islamic Jihad for the Libera-
A Boston native, he was kidnapped
Kemptner, 29, relief
workers, kidnapped
tion of Palestine, at 10:15 a.m.
along with three colleagues on Jan.
May 16, 1989.
(3:15 a.m. EST). He had been
24, 1987, by gunmen dressed in
driven from Beirut to Damascus,
Lebanese police uniforms pretend-
Syria, where he was handed over
ing to be conducting an anti-kidnap-
Italian
Alberto Molinari, 72,
to the U.S. ambassador there, and
ping exercise.
businessman who
then flown to Germany, where he
The professor was badly beaten
lived in Beirut, kid-
will undergo medical tests and an
in 1987 after an attempted escape,
napped Sept. 11,
1985; believed dead.
intelligence debriefing.
according to one of his kidnapped
Speaking briefly with reporters
colleagues, all of whom have been
SOURCES: The Washington Post;
here, Steen said he felt "very
released.
Associated Press
Steen taught at Humboldt State
BY MICHAEL DREW-THE WASHINGTON POST
well, a lot better today than I felt
yesterday."
University in California before going
the Rhein-Main air base in Ger-
Hours after Steen was re-
to Beirut in 1983 as a professor of
many, Steen was met by the U.S.
leased, a Muslim fundamentalist
mass communications at Beirut Uni-
ambassador to Germany, Robert
source told the Reuter news
versity College. Included among the
Kimmitt, and taken by convoy to
agency that Anderson, chief Mid-
reporters covering Steen's news
Wiesbaden, where he was ap-
dle East correspondent for the
conference at the Syrian Foreign
Associated Press and the last re-
Ministry in Damascus were some of
plauded by a crowd of onlookers and
welcomed with the same Christmas
maining American hostage, would
his former students, and the former
be freed Wednesday. Iran's am-
hostage waved both hands above his
tree, balloons and flags that had
bassador to the United Nations
head in greeting to them.
greeted Cicippio the night before.
"I don't think I can find the words
"Dear Santa, please bring us one
said in New York that it was his
understanding that Anderson
right now to express how I feel.
more," read a banner outside the
except that it's wonderful," Steen
hospital. "Room for one more," said
would be released Wednesday,
said at the press conference, his
another.
Reuter reported.
voice choked with emotion. "Five
Cicippio, recovering from dental
Meanwhile, new evidence of
mistreatment of Western hos-
years is no fun."
surgery earlier in the day, was not
He said he was in excellent health
on hand for the arrival.
tages emerged here today as doc-
but had suffered from many colds
Wearing an olive parka in the
tors examining former hostage
while in captivity. His face and neck
cold German night, a smiling Steen
were raked with scrapes and cuts,
received bouquets of flowers and
the result, he said, of "my first
then clenched his fist and waved to
shave in three years."
a crowd gathered on the hospital
After arriving by military jet at
balcony. His wife, Virginia, who has
WASH. POST: 12/04/91
D
been living in Michigan, is expected
vomiting, which increased in inten-
domen from an incision, which Fohl-
to arrive in Germany Wednesday.
sity over five days: He was taken by
meister said would have allowed a
In general, Cicippio was pro-
his captors to a hospital for sur-
doctor to take an exploratory look
nounced to be in "very good" phys-
gery-where and by whom he does
around the entire abdomen area.
ical and mental condition after un-
not know-and has recovered com-
"The scar has healed very well,"
dergoing the first of a full range of
pletely from the illness and the op-
he said. "It looks like a very profes-
medical examinations. Concern
eration, according to Fohlmeister.
sional-style surgeon did the work."
over the former. hostage's disclo-
"We have no idea what the illness
Cicippio, who lived on a diet of
sure in Damascus that he had been
was, and no idea what the surgery
cheese and rice during his captivity,
rushed to a hospital by his captors
was." the doctor said.
weighs 134 pounds, but Fohlmeis-
for emergency surgery in the last
All of Cicippio's organs are
ter said this was not unhealthy for
two months prompted the medical
present. although doctors could not
his 5-foot-4 frame. Cicippio volun-
team to begin preliminary exami-
be certain whether his appendix is
tarily dieted and lost 40 pounds
nations shortly after his arrival late
still there. Appendicitis is a possible
right after he was kidnapped and
Monday night.
but not likely explanation for his ill-
kept the weight off during his cap-
Despite the positive prognosis,
however, Air Force Col. Uwe Fohl-
ness, Fohlmeister said. Cicippio's
tivity because he thought it would
meister, the doctor who oversaw
stomach, liver, gallbladder, kidneys
help him better survive his ordeal,
Cicippio's examination, outlined
and pancreas are all normal, he
according to Fohlmeister.
several physical problems the for-
added. Cicippio has a scar on his ab-
The doctor described Cicippio as
mer hostage is suffering from on
being in good spirits and elated
account of his captivity.
be reunited with his wife, Elham
Cicippio, 61, who was deputy
His brother, Thomas, two sons and
comptroller at the American Uni-
his sister-in-law are expected.to
versity of Beirut, has suffered per-
arrive in Germany on Wedness
manent frostbite damage on his
Fohlmeister said the former nos-
hands and feet from being left out-
side on partially enclosed balconies
tage would likely leave for the Unit
during the winters of 1986 and
ed States by the end of the week.
1990, the doctor said. His fingers
Two German relief workers.
and toes have a bluish discoloring.
Heinrich Struebig and Thomas
and they. cause burning and other
Kemptner, remain in captivity "m"
pain when exposed to cold.
Lebanon, but obtaining their free-
Cicippio also has a small dent in
dom may. be more complicated.
his skull from being hit on the head
Their captors reportedly are seek-
and knocked unconscious with a
ing the release of two Lebanese
blunt instrument at. the time of his
men who are serving long sen-
kidnapping on Sept. 12, 1986. "He
tences in Germany on terrorist con-
was unsteady, dizzy and unable to
victions. Bonn has said it will not
walk for several weeks following
release them.
this injury," said Fohlmeister.
Cicippio still suffers from light-
headedness on rare occasions, but
doctors are uncertain if the dizziness
stems from the blow to his head or
from being confined for so long.
Still a mystery is the nature of
the emergency surgery that Cicip-
pio underwent.
Two months ago Cicippio expe-
rienced abdominal pain, nausea and
PHIL. INQ. 12/03/91
His brother's keeper 177
Thomas Cicippio could never forget
Hostage dealings involve cruel
wonder what effect, if any, his promi-
calculations that invert the normal
nence may have had on his brother's
responses of the human heart.
release. (The only other hostage with
Any appeal on behalf of a hostage
a family member who kept a simi-
may simply aid the enemy. Such emo-
larly high profile is journalist Terry
tional publicity makes the hostage
Anderson, one of the two Americans
more valuable to his captors, reduc-
still in captivity.) But we find it
ing the hostage's chances for free-
impossible to fault Tom Cicippio,
dom. One official who has puzzled
who seemed to show a near-perfect
over how to cut deals for hostages
balance between restraint and car-
has suggested that the best thing
ing, responsiveness and discretion.
might be for everyone to pretend
We liked the way he listed the
that the hostage has been killed in an
days in captivity for all the hostages
accident - and forget him.
on a board in his yard - not just his
But that is too much, realistically,
brother's. We liked the way the Cicip-
to ask of a hostage's family and loved
pio family remembered all of the
ones. It was clearly too much to ask
of Thomas Cicippio, the brother of
hostages in its prayer vigils. Tom
Joseph Cicippio, the Norristown hos-
Cicippio did not rail against the U.S.
tage who was freed yesterday after
government for not doing more - an
six years in captivity. From very
almost surely counterproductive tac-
early on, Tom Cicippio, 67, a retired
tic. He spoke instead with a sense of
postal worker, became the spokes-
charity and compassion. When an-
man for the Cicippio family when-
other hostage, held by the same ter-
ever there was news of the hostages
rorist group as his brother, was freed
- good or bad.
several weeks ago he admitted to a
Tom Cicippio explained at one
sense of disappointment, but added,
point that awareness of his brother's
"I really refer to it as a happy disap-
captivity was constant. "It never
pointment" because of his happiness
leaves you," he said. As for inter-
in behalf of the freed hostage.
views, "I know it has to be done," he
Now Tom Cicippio's brother has at
said. "It's no problem for me. My
long last been freed. We wish Joseph
brother has lost his freedom. I can
Cicippio a joyful Christmas home-
still talk to whomever I want
coming. And to Tom Cicippio, we say,
Tom Cicippio may always have to
"Good work!"
N.Y. TIMES: 12/05/91
Free
At
Last
177
anderson
By Peggy Say
March 16, 1985, Terry
O
A. Anderson was
snatched off the
streets of Beirut. For
more than six years
years, he struggled to
survive in an underworld of terror
few can imagine. Terry is now free.
For the first time in too many years,
he is inhaling air that is not tinted an
eerie twilight blue and funky with the
smell of bodies and human waste.
We learned from John McCarthy,
the freed British hostage, that Terry
knew his father and brother have
died, and that he has emerged from
the shadow of grief. There have been
other losses: our world, our family,
as he knew it, no longer exists. He will
mourn the loss of the years when his
daughter Gabrielle bridged the gap
between child and woman, and he will
grasp for the bond that links infant to
parent when he embraces his daugh-
ter Sulome for the first time.
We know from Terry's videotape
last month and recently released hos-
tages that he is ready to put even that
too ephemeral, complex and far too
pain behind him and get on with life.
For Terry, no
painful for easy explanation. It is no
He has emerged from this horren-
one's fault, yet many share the
dous ordeal with a faith, strength and
more air tinted
blame. Those who took him must
dignity that is humbling.
surely be condemned; kidnapping vi-
He will learn more about the group
twilight blue.
olates every humanitarian principle.
his friends formed, the Journalists
There is also complicity by silence.
Committee to Free Terry Anderson,
These hostages never became a
and how many gave over their lives to
cause célèbre for various reasons:
work for his freedom. We will talk of
there was no dramatic footage, no
the dedication of former hostages,
the first place," but will tell him of
tense interviews, no dictator to over-
American and European, who re-
the bravery of the journalists who
throw, no oil in Lebanon to threaten
mained bound to those they left be-
remained at the Rashid Hotel in
the world market. Just a gaunt,
hind by chains of pain and empathy. I
Baghdad as we bombed the city. He'll
bearded hostage every few years,
will tell him of the devotion of groups
hear with what joy the world applaud-
blinking in the sunlight, while flash-
across the U.S. like No Greater Love
ed their on-the-spot coverage.
that never forgot the hostages and
He doesn't need to know about the
bulbs popped and cameras rolled.
Then on to the next news "bite."-
urged others not to forget. He will
droning assertions of those who chose
read the words of thousands of Amer-
not to participate, who said "publicity
Despite the executions, the stories of
icans who wrote letters, wore yellow
will prolong his captivity." We knew
shame and degradation, and the pleas
ribbons and prayed and raged at the
from his videotapes and from re-
from their fellow hostages, these men
callousness of Administrations with
leased hostages how much the knowl-
couldn't sustain the public interest.
higher priorities and more Important
edge that they were not forgotten
Thank God for U.N. Secretary Gen-
political agendas than the freedom of
meant to them. As he said yesterday
eral Javier Pérez de Cuéller and his
their own citizens.
in Damascus about the prayers and
principal hostage negotiator, Giando-
I won't tell him of the accusation
efforts on the hostages' behalf:
menico Picco, and fresh air and sun-
that "he shouldn't have been there in
"They made a big difference. They
shine. Terry is a national hero and
made a difference for us in some very
deserves every ounce of adulation the
Peggy Say, who lives in Cadiz, Ky., is
dark times."
world will give him. He is a legend to
the sister of Terry A. Anderson, the
I thank God that Terry will not
the world of hostages and the yard
chief Middle East correspondent of
demand an explanation about what
stick by which all Americans should
The Associated Press.
happened to him, because the truth is
measure themselves.
WASH. POST: 12/05/91
112
E'
MILESTONES IN THE HOSTAGE DRAMA
first direct U.S. shipment takes place
S
ince 1984, various
kidnapped in Lebanon by Islamic
Shiite Muslim terrorist
Jihad.
the following month.
March 16: Terry
factions, with links to
Anderson, chief
April 11: Irishman Brian Keenan, a
the fundamentalist regime in
Middle East cor-
teacher at American Univerity of
Iran, have kidnapped more
respondent of
Beirut, is abducted by pro-Iranian
Associated Press,
group Islamic Dawn.
than 30 Westerners in
is kidnapped by
Lebanon. With yesterday's re-
April 15: U.S. planes, some based in
Islamic Jihad.
Britain, bomb Libya after an attack on
lease of Terry Anderson-the
March 25: Alec
U.S. servicemen in Germany. Two
longest-held Western hostage,
Collett, British journalist and U.N. re-
days later, Kilbum and British hostages
the ordeal comes close to end-
lief agency consultant, is kidnapped.
Leigh Douglas and Philip Padfield are
ing. Two German relief work-
Revolutionary Organization of Socialist
found shot to death east of Beirut.
Moslems announce in April 1986 it
ers, abducted in 1989, remain
had killed him.
April 17: John
captive and an Italian busi-
McCarthy, a
May 28: David Jacobsen, director of
nessman, kidnapped six years
British journalist
American University Hospital, is kid-
for Worldwide
ago, is believed dead. Here is a
napped by Islamic Jihad.
Television News,
chronology of the hostages:
June 9: Thomas
is kidnapped by
Sutherland, agri-
Islamic Jihad.
1984
culture dean at
American
July 26: Lawrence Jenco is released.
Feb. 10: Frank
University of
Sept. 9: Frank Reed, the American di-
Regier, head of
Beirut, is abduct-
rector of the Lebanese International
the electrical en-
ed by Islamic
School, is kidnapped in Beirut.
gineering depart-
Jihad.
ment at the
American
July: National security adviser Robert
Sept. 12: Joseph
University of Beirut, is kidnapped. He
C. McFarlane is informed through an
Cicippio, deputy
Israeli intermediary that Iran is willing
comptroller of
is rescued by Lebanese militiamen
to renew relations with the United
American
April 15.
States and would seek the release of
University of
March 7: Jeremy Levin, Beirut bureau
U.S. hostages in Lebanon in exchange
Beirut, is kid-
chief for the CNN, is kidnapped. He
for arms shipments.
napped by pro-
escapes from his captors Feb. 13,
August-September: Marine Lt. Col.
Iranian terrorist
1985.
Oliver North, a National Security
group, the
March 16:
Council aide, is directed to prepare
Revolutionary Justice Organization.
William Buckley,
"contingency plans" for extracting
(RJO), in Beirut.
CIA station chief
hostages from Lebanon. After secret
Oct. 21: Edward
in Beirut, is kid-
talks between U.S. and Israeli officials,
Tracy, a book
napped by the
the first two planeloads of U.S.-made
pro-Iranian group
weapons belonging to Israel go to Iran.
salesman, is kid-
Islamic Jihad,
napped in Beirut.
Sept. 11: Italian
which demands
businessman
Nov. 2: David
the release of
Alberto Molinari
Jacobsen is re-
Shiite terrorists imprisoned in Kuwait.
is abducted.
leased.
May 8: The Rev. Benjamin Weir, an
Lebanese securi-
Nov. 3: First re-
American Presbyterian minister, is kid-
ty sources say in
napped in Beirut.
1991 he was killed shortly afterward.
ports surface that the United States ar-
ranged arms shipments to Iran in ex-
May 9: Islamic Jihad, a Shiite Muslim
Sept. 15: Benjamin Weir is freed after
change for hostages.
group with links to Iran, claims respon-
16 months in captivity.
sibility for abducting Levin, Buckley
Oct. 4: Islamic Jihad announces it
1987
and Weir.
killed Buckley to avenge an Israeli air
Dec. 3: Peter Kilbum, librarian at the
raid on PLO headquarters in Tunisia.
Jan. 18: West
American University of Beirut, is kid-
German busi-
napped by Islamic Jihad.
1986
nessman Rudolf
Cordes is kid-
1985
Jan. 17: President Reagan signs a se-
napped. He is re-
cret intelligence finding authorizing
leased in
Jan. 8: The Rev. Lawrence Jenco, di-
arms shipments to Iran in exchange for
rector of Catholic Relief Services, is
the release of American hostages. The
September 1988.
WASH. POST: 12/05/91
Jan. 20: Briton
June 3: Ayatollah
Aug 12: U.N. re-
Terry Waite,
Ruhollah
feases text of
envoy of the
Khomeini dies,
Islamic Jihad let-
archbishop of
raising hopes in
ter saying it is
Canterbury nego-
West that kid-
ready to release
tiating to free
nappers influ-
all Westerners as
hostages, is kid-
enced by Iran's
part of a global
Islamic revolution
exchange.
napped in
Lebanon.
may relent. Ali
Sept 11: Israel and allied Lebanese
Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, later elect-
militia free 51 Arab prisoners and hand
Jan. 21: Alfred Schmidt, West German
ed president, calls for release of
over bodies of nine guerrillas to Red
engineer, is kidnapped. He is released
Cross. Perez de Cuellar discusses
hostages but says Iran does not control
in September 1987.
hostage issue with Iranian leaders in
kidnappers.
Tehran, promises to redouble efforts to
Jan. 24:
July 28: Israeli
solve problem.
Americans
commandos
Sept 12: Islamic Jihad says it is ready
Robert Polhill,
abduct Sheik
to do everything necessary to solve the
Jesse Jonathan
Abdul-Karim
crisis. A day later, the body of an
Turner, and
Obeid, a leader
Israeli solider missing in Lebanon since
Alann Steen, and
of Shiite group
1983 is returned to Israel, which al-
Indian
Hezbollah, from his home in south
lows the return of a deported
Mithileshwar
Lebanon. Organization of the
Palestinian.
Singh, academics
Oppressed of the Earth says it killed
Sept 24: Jack Mann is freed.
at Beirut
Col. Higgins in reprisal.
Oct. 6: CNN broadcasts a videotape in
University
which Terry Anderson urges all parties
College, are kid-
napped by
1990
to accelerate negotiations to free
Western hostages and that hundreds of
Islamic Jihad for
Arab prisoners held by Israel also de-
the Liberation of
April 22: Robert Polhill is freed after
serve freedom.
Palestine. Singh
39 months in captivity.
Oct. 13: The top U.N. envoy on the
is released Oct.
April 30: Frank Reed is freed after 43
hostage issue, Giandomencio Picco,
3, 1988.
months.
goes to Damascus.
June 17: Journalist Charles Glass is
Aug. 24: Brian Keenan is freed.
Oct. 19: Israel says it received reliable
kidnapped; he turns up two months
information that Yossi Fink, another of
later and says he escaped.
its five servicemen missing in Lebanon,
1991
is dead.
1988
February: After the Persian Gulf War
Oct. 21: Israel frees 15 Arab prison-
ers. Jesse Jonathan Turner is released.
Feb. 17: U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col.
ends with Iraq's defeat, President Bush
announces a renewed Initiative to es-
Nov 18: Islamic Jihad releases Terry
William Higgins is seized while on
tablish a framework for Middle East
Waite and Thomas Sutherland, Waite
U.N. duty in Lebanon.
peace and secure hostages' release.
after 1,763 days and Sutherland after
2,353 days.
March 19: Islamic Jihad for the
1989
Dec 1: Israel frees 25 Lebanese pris-
Liberation of Palestine, which holds
oners. A day later, Joseph Cicippio is
Steen and Turner, offers to discuss
May 12: Briton
set free after 1,906 days.
freeing them if Israel releases Obeid
Jack Mann, a re-
and other Muslims.
Dec. 3: Alann Steen is freed after near-
tired pilot and
ly five years as a hostage.
Beirut club man-
Aug. 6: Islamic Jihad says it will send
Dec. 4: Terry Anderson, the longest
ager, is abduct-
an envoy with "an extremely important
American to be held captive in
ed.
message" to U.N. Secretary-General
Lebanon, is released after 2,454 days.
Javier Perez de Cuellar.
May 16: West
SOURCES: The Washington Post; Reuters;
German aid
Aug. 8: Islamic Jihad releases British
CQ's "Iran-Contra Puzzle.
workers Heinrich Struebig, Petra
hostage John McCarthy.
Schnitzler and Thomas Kemptner are
Aug 11: McCarthy delivers letter from
Compiled by Ralph Gaillard Jr.
seized in south Lebanon. Schnitzler is
Islamic Jihad to Perez de Cuellar. RJO
released hours later.
frees Edward Tracy.
GRAPHIC BY MICHAEL DREW-THE WASHINGTON POST
N.Y. TIMES 12/05/91
Before
nd After: The Americans Who Wore Abducted
KILLED
KILLED
WILLED
Levin
Buckley
Well
Kllbum
Jenco
Ander
Jacobson
Suite riand
Reed
Track
177
March
JEREMY LEVIN
1985"
March as
WILLIAM BUCKLEY
Oct 1935 driappere they killed in to avenue an on P.L.O meaded
Times:
May 0 1984 BENJAMIN WEIR
-Released Sept 1441985
Dec: 3, 1984 PETER KILBURN
Abril 17. 1988 burn and two Britone dre lound she to death two davavatter
MD
Jan. B, 1985
REV. LAWRENCE MARTIN JENCO Released WITH 26, 1986
March 16, 1985 TERRY ANDERSON
Pisleased
May 28, 1985 DAVID JACOBSEN
Released Nov 1986
June 9,1985
THOMAS SUTHERLAND
Released New
Sept. 9, 1986 FRANK HERBERT REED
Remark
Sept, 12, 1988 JOSEPH CICIPPIO
Referred
Oct. 21, 1986
EDWARD AUSTIN TRACY
Printenced Aug 11/19913
Jan. 24, 1987
ALANN STEEN
Releas
Jan 24, 1987
JESSE TURNER
Released Oct 22:
Two other Americans were held for periods of about
two months, Frank Regier, an American University.
Jan, 24, 1987
ROBERT POLHILL
1990
professor, was hold from Feb: 10 to April 15, 1984.
Feb:
17,
1988 LT. COL. WILLIAM HIGGINS
July 31, 1989 Conspoors VANIT suHidoins in retaliation for the abduction
Charles Glass, a journalist, was held from June 17
three days earliai of Shelk Abdul Obeld, a leader of the Shilte group
to Aug. 18, 1987
Party of God, from his home in Lebanomby isreell commandos.
1'85
87
as
189
90
92
10/27/91
Returned Hostage Is Embraced by His Hometown
Because Mr. Turner had requested
ny, for a round of medical tests and
turned home early.
privacy, he and his family were taken
State Department debriefings before
The parents left Germany abruptly
177
from the United Airlines flight to an
returning to the United States.
Thursday after State Department offi-
undisclosed location to await their
He did not speak to reporters as he
cials criticized Mr. Ronneburg for vid,
BOISE, Idaho, Oct. 26 (AP) - Jesse
University in Beirut when he was taken
regret your kidnapping, your incarcer-
evening flight home to Boise, an airline
left Wiesbaden or during a stop in
eotaping Mr. Turner's reunion with his
Turner, the university professor who
hostage.
ation by the terrorists. But we're very
spokesman, Joe Hopkins, said.
Frankfurt.
spent four and a half years as a hostage
He stood with his Lebanese-born
Hours later, the Turners boarded the
He smiled and looked relaxed early
family and then allowing CBS televi-
proud of the dignity you displayed."
in Lebanon, returned to his hometown a
United flight to Boise. They were driv-
sion to broadcast it.
wife, Badr, and their 4-year-old daugh-
Friday when he left on the flight from
Earlier in the day, Mr. Turner and
hero late Friday night, cheered by
en to the plane in a van, while reporters
Frankfurt to Chicago. His wife carried
'Upset' at Someone
ter, Joanne, atop the Capitol steps, on a
his family landed at O'Hare Interna-
were kept Inside the terminal.
their daughter, whom Mr. Turner saw
thousands of people who had waited
platform festooned with yellow ribbons
tional Airport on a flight from Frank-
Mrs. Ronneburg said her son was
Mr. Turner grew up in Boise, where
for the first time Wednesday at the
hours in the cold to greet him in a
and red-white-and-blue bunting.
furt.
his mother and stepfather still live. He
hospital in Wiesbaden. She was born
"upset," but that she did not know if be
celebration at the State Capitol.
When reporters asked how he felt, he
"He smoked a pack of cigarettes,
attended Bolse High School and Boise
months after Mr. Turner was kid-
was irritated with the State Depart
"It's cold," Mr. Turner told the
just shrugged and smiled.
drank a couple beers and ate a bunch of
State University.
napped in Beirut on Jan. 24, 1987.
ment or his parents.
crowd. "So all I want to say is thank
He and his family members were
food," said Ray Hipp, a passenger from
For his welcome home, the State
The homecoming was soured by a
She said she does not expect her son
you. Thanks for everything."
whisked to the celebration in a stretch
Chicago who sat in front of the Turners
Capitol was transformed Into a huge
run-in between the State Department
to speak publicly about his years of
Gov. Cecil D. Andrus proclaimed to-
limousine after they arrived at the
during the flight.
reception area, which rang with music
and Mr. Turner's parents.
captivity for some time, possibly no
day Jesse (Jon) Turner Day to honor
airport in Boise shortly after 11 P.M.
Mr. Hipp said that during the flight
and church bells and flashed in the
"I thought this would be a wonderful
until all hostages in Lebanon are freed.
the 44-year-old mathematics professor,
"Boise, Idaho, your son, Jon Turner,
he told Mr. Turner, "Welcome to
light of fireworks.
time, but it hasn't been," his mother,
"He told me, "I don't want to hurt any
who was freed Tuesday by his Shilte
is home," said Mayor Dirk Kempth-
America," and that Mr: Turner did not
After Mr. Turner was freed Tuesday,
Estelle Ronneburg, sald Friday after
other hostages' chances of gettin]
Moslem captors in Lebanon. Mr.
orne.
respond. "He was very quiet," said Mr.
he was taken to the United States Air
she and her husband, Mr. Turner's
out,' she said.
Turner had taught at the American
Governor Andrus said: "We deeply
Hipp.
Force hospital in Wiesbaden, Germa-
stepfather, Eugene Ronneburg, re-