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

149. Telegram From the Embassy in Algeria to the Department of State¹

2935.

Algiers, June 4, 1985, 1625Z

Eyes Only the Secretary from Newlin. Subject: Hostages in Lebanon. Ref: Algiers 2933.²

1. T.S.—Entire text.

2. For over a year we have worked intensively with the Algerians, Syrians and others in an effort to secure the liberation of those taken hostage in Beirut by Hizbollah.

3. Throughout the past 15 months, we quite rightly have held firm to our position of no concessions to the kidnappers. Kuwait has been just as firm in treating the Dawa prisoners³ as an internal GOK affair with the convicted terrorists subject to Kuwait law.

4. Intensive efforts by Algeria to obtain the prisoners’ release on humanitarian and other grounds have been invariably met with the Hizbollah response, “is Kuwait prepared to release the Dawa prisoners?”

5. In the eyes of the Algerians, this standoff shows signs of deteriorating:

(A) Algeria believes there is a risk of conflict between Amal and Hizbollah once Amal gains control of the Palestinian camps. (This is similar to analysis in RCI 15101.)⁴

(B) Algeria also believes Hizbillah will step up terrorist activities in Kuwait and elsewhere.

(C) The Algerians believe the Saudi Consul⁵ was released on orders from Tehran as the result of Prince Saud’s recent visit. We obviously have very little leverage with Iran. Moreover, the Syrians have repeatedly promised help but without results beyond delivering escaped or freed hostages.

6. Added to the above, are reports the Emir may be considering signing death warrants for the condemned Dawa terrorists.

7. I don’t know what other options we have or may be able to develop. The Algerians have not thrown up their hands and are clearly prepared to continue their efforts. At the same time, they have confided that they are finding their contacts increasingly rigid and inclined to further violence. As seen from Embassy Algiers, there is no hope of compromise on either Hizbollah’s or Kuwait’s side and increasing danger to the hostages. In fact, in our dialogue with the Algerians, we find ourselves no longer discussing possibilities of release but transmittal of letters, etc.

8. In making this judgment, I want to be clear that I am not suggesting any change in our long-standing policy concerning terrorism. But I do want you to know my perception that there are no hopeful signs that the situation of the hostages is going to improve and new indications that events in Lebanon and perhaps elsewhere will make their position even more precarious.

Newlin

1. Source: Department of State, Executive Secretariat, A Bureau, Department of State Central Foreign Policy Files: Lot 12D215, Top Secret Hardcopy Telegrams. Top Secret; Immediate; Eyes only for the Secretary.
2. Telegram 2933 from Algiers, June 4, reported that Lakehal Ayat “sketched a gloomy picture of the deteriorating situation in Beirut. He promised continued efforts to elicit a reply from Buckley but confided that Algerians were encountering resistance on the part of Hizbollah.” (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, [no N number])
3. See Document 143.
4. Not found.
5. In telegram 4740 from Riyadh, May 21, the Embassy reported that after 16 months in captivity, Saudi Consul Hussein Farrash had been released and flown to Saudi Arabia by a private Syrian aircraft. (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D850354–0880)