Word: jacobsen
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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Recent reports have said that the Administration secretly sold arms to Iran during the past 18 months to secure the release of American hostages in Lebanon. The arms deal is presumed to have led to the release of David Jacobsen, who was freed on November 2 after more than 17 months of captivity...
...Jacobsen's dramatic trip to freedom capped a week of swirling diplomatic activity in the Middle East, centered on Britain's break in diplomatic relations with Syria on Oct. 24. That action followed the conviction of a would-be bomber of an El Al plane who had received assistance from Syria's embassy in London, whose trial exposed the Damascus terrorist connection that had been long suspected but never proved. The U.S. supported Britain by withdrawing its ambassador from Syria, and last week Secretary of State George Shultz characterized Syria's role in the foiled bombing episode as beneath contempt...
...Assad asserted his authority with the Shi'ite groups and apparently arranged for at least a token hostage release. Waite, whose patient efforts to end the hostage crisis were well known to Syria, made a secret visit to Damascus on Saturday, evidently to arrange the details of Jacobsen's release. "This is very typical of the Syrians," said a high-ranking observer in Israel. "They realized that they made a blunder of international proportions, and they are looking for something big to remedy...
...hostages, like 13 other foreigners held by various extremist groups, were captured randomly in the chaotic city, and have served as unhappy pawns in the larger game of Middle East politics. Besides Jacobsen and Sutherland, American University's acting dean of agriculture, the Islamic Jihad had also captured Terry Anderson, chief Middle East correspondent for the Associated Press. The same terrorist group also took William Buckley, political officer of the U.S. embassy, and claims to have killed him, though no body has ever been found. As a price for freeing its captives, Islamic Jihad has demanded the release...
...Beirut is his most difficult, especially if it involves a multinational swap that must await the approval of several conflicting parties. He has proved in the past that he has the patience, stamina and staying power needed to hold hostage negotiations. His success in winning the release of Jacobsen sparked new hope that he will finally be able to conclude the long Beirut hostage ordeal...