Foreign Relations of the United States, 1981–1988, Volume XXIV, North Africa

145. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Algeria¹

50738.

Washington, February 20, 1985, 0355Z

SUBJECT

• Kidnappings—Line To Take With Algerians.

Ref:

• Algiers 849.²

1. Secret—Entire text.

2. At next opportunity you should tell regular Algerian contacts of our great appreciation for their continuing efforts to gain release of American hostages. The line taken by Algerians with Hizballah (reftel) was useful. We hope that advice like their own will eventually persuade Hizballah to release captives either to Syrians, to Algerians themselves or to responsible Lebanese parties.

3. You should inform Algerians that as best we can tell Levin escaped captivity.³ He was not released by or allowed to escape Hizballah. While we remain hopeful that Hizballah will eventually realize the futility of holding Americans, the Levin escape is not evidence of any change in the attitude of the captors. Indeed, the harsh treatment Levin received during his long captivity increases our concern for the well being of the other hostages. We must assume that the health of all of them, especially those who are elderly or require medication, has deteriorated during their captivity. The Hizballah should realize that to continue holding the Americans represents an inhumane decision that puts the lives of the captives at risk and can only create problems for their captors.

4. You should assure the Algerians of our continued appreciation for their discreet role as well informed and professional intermediaries. We will continue to work closely with other governments, especially those of Lebanon and Syria, but will not discuss Algerian efforts with them. In general, we will continue trying to avoid needless publicity surrounding the issue of the hostages. With respect to the visit to Beirut of Mohammed Ali, you should tell the Algerians that the former heavyweight champion’s visit was a private one and that he did not carry any kind of message from the USG. Indeed, administration sought to dissuade him from the visit on grounds of the personal security of Mohammed Ali and his entourage. Nonetheless, we recognized his humanitarian motivations and provided a briefing on the hostage situation and conditions in Lebanon. We, of course, did not inform Mohammed Ali of the role being played by Algeria.

5. With respect to purported Islamic Jihad statement that one of remaining captives has been sentenced to death, you should say that we are unable to confirm a link between this anonymous caller and the men holding our hostages. While any action taken to harm the Americans would meet an appropriate USG response, we do not intend to get into a public debate with anonymous phone callers.

6. You should also tell Algerians that in the wake of Levin’s escape we are more convinced than ever that Government of Iran has close links to the captors of our four Americans and could, if Iran chose, exercise influence to have them released.⁴ Iranian denials to other governments are to be expected, but they should not fool anybody.

7. Minimize considered.

Shultz

1. Source: Department of State, Executive Secretariat, S/S Records, 1985 Nodis Telegrams: Lot 95D025, Algiers #1, Nodis 1985, Jan. 5 thru Sept. 22. Secret; Priority; Nodis. Drafted by Mack; cleared by Johnson (P), David Long (M/CTP), McKinley, Ruth Van Heuven (S/S–O), and Miles Pendleton (P); approved by Raphel. Sent for information Priority to Beirut and Damascus.
2. In telegram 849 from Algiers, February 14, the Embassy reported that “Hizbollah told the Algerian representatives in Beirut that Syria had made a démarche to the Iranian authorities urging them to intervene to have the American kidnapees released to Syria.” (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, [no N number])
3. In telegram 857 from Algiers, February 14, the Embassy reported: “Lallali had telephoned us shortly before 1500Z February 14 to say Algerians have information that Levin ‘escaped’ (s’est échappeé) from his captors this morning and is now with (chez) the Syrians. He could not or would not be more specific as to whether he is reportedly in Damascus or with Syrian forces in Lebanon. Lallali asked that we try to confirm accuracy of this report.” (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, N850002–0463) A day later, the Embassy in Algeria confirmed to Lallali that “Levin had in fact escaped and would be turned over to the Embassy at 1000 Damascus time.” The Embassy also reported that “in response to Ambassador’s hope Algerians would continue to press Hizbollah to release the remaining hostages, Lallali said GOA would certainly do so. He promised to call if he receives further word.” (Telegram 860 to from Algiers, February 15; Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, [no D number])
4. On March 7, the Embassy in Algiers commented that “it is clear Algerians believe hostages are being held by original Hizballah abductors. They recognize an Iranian connection but do not seem to consider it overriding when it comes to the Dawa prisoners” still being held by Kuwait. The “Algerians are well aware of our suspicions that the GOI could bring to bear decisive influence in this matter if it chose to do so.” (Telegram 1274 from Algiers; Department of State, Executive Secretariat, S/S Records, 1985 Nodis Telegrams: Lot 95D025, Box 1, Algiers #1, Nodis 1985, Jan 5 thru Sept. 22)