Word: assad
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...most clearly enhanced diplomatic position, if only because of such previously abysmal relations with the Reagan Administration, belonged to Syria and its President for the past 14 years, Hafez Assad. In putting his prestige on the line by guaranteeing the safe delivery of the 39 U.S. hostages from their various Shi'ite captors, including the fanatics of Hizballah (Party of God), Assad convincingly demonstrated that he controls many of the levers of power in seemingly chaotic Lebanon. Ronald Reagan acknowledged Syria's "central responsibility" in the successful efforts to free the hostages, and the President also telephoned his thanks...
...best. State Department Spokesman Bernard Kalb pointedly remarked that Syria remained on the list of countries that the U.S. regards as sponsors of terrorism "because according to reliable reports a number of terrorist organizations have received some form of support" from Damascus. Furthermore, there is no sign that Assad has wavered in his firm opposition to a peace initiative put forward by Jordan's King Hussein and Palestine Liberation Organization Leader Yasser Arafat, which calls for direct negotiations with Israel. Assad is unhappy that Hussein and Arafat are acting without Damascus' consent. The Syrian President also insists that any settlement...
...concessions to terrorists, a violation of national policy. Last week, barely a day after the hostages were freed, Israeli officials ordered the repatriation of 300 of the Lebanese detainees, leaving about 460 still awaiting release from Atlit prison. Nor did the Israelis enjoy watching the U.S. becoming indebted to Assad, whom they regard as Jerusalem's most dangerous enemy. Finally, Israel suffered in U.S. public opinion, at least early in the crisis. A Washington Post-ABC News poll taken as the hostages were being released showed that one-third of the sample agreed with the assertion that "the U.S. should...
Despite Shultz's statement, that was never a very real hope. Apparently, neither Nabih Berri, leader of the Amal militia then holding the 39 TWA hostages, nor Syrian President Hafez Assad was able to deliver the seven. "They didn't have access to them," said one U.S. official last week. It also became clear to Washington that if the President insisted on the release of all 46, it would not even get the TWA 39. Said one U.S. official ruefully: "Sometimes policymakers have to decide on the greatest good for the greatest number...
...White House aide said that when Reagan called the Syrian President last week, the release of the seven abducted Americans was the top item on his agenda. Though Assad did not give Reagan much cause for hope, relatives of the seven were buoyed somewhat last week when Lebanese television, supplying Arabic subtitles, allowed them to plead on the air for the release of their loved ones...