Reagan Defends Bid to Tie Hostages, Earlier Captives

President Reagan, meeting Friday with family members of another 10 of the hostages held in Beirut, defended his new policy of including the seven previously kidnaped Americans in Lebanon in efforts to free the hijacked passengers from TWA Flight 847.

“I don’t think anything that attempts to get people back who have been kidnaped by thugs and murderers and barbarians is wrong,” Reagan declared, responding to a reporter’s question about whether he felt it was a mistake to tie the fate of the 39 TWA passengers and crew members still held by Shia Muslim gunmen to that of the kidnap victims.

Asked if he would make a deal with the kidnapers, Reagan replied, “No, we won’t”--but, he quickly added, “We are going to do everything that we can to get all of the Americans back that are held in that way.”

Reagan, who came to this Midwest town 30 miles southwest of Chicago to make another pitch for his tax-revision proposal, was careful to avoid comment on any progress in the negotiations to free the hostages. “I never talk about a no-hitter if you are pitching one,” he said.

But even though the Administration adhered to its refusal to discuss developments related to the crisis, Reagan’s comments, and those of others, contributed to an impression of progress.

“All the signs look promising,” said one Administration official, speaking on the condition that he not be identified by name.

“They’re going through this Alphonse and Gaston diplomatic act,” he added, indicating that the United States and the other parties involved were in the midst of a series of very precise maneuvers.

At the State Department, spokesman Edward P. Djerejian reiterated that there had been no shift in the U.S. policy of not specifically asking Israel to release 735 Lebanese prisoners in exchange for the hostages.

‘Praying Every Day’

In a 33-minute meeting in Chicago Heights, Reagan told the hostage families, including six people who had been released previously from the TWA plane, that the White House is “doing everything we can to secure the safe and early return of those being held. We’re constantly looking for ways to do more. We’re praying every day.”

Also included in the meeting were relatives of Father Lawrence Jenco, a Roman Catholic priest who is one of the seven earlier kidnap victims in Beirut. A large number of the TWA hostages live in northern Illinois, as does Jenco.

The session, held in a high school library, was closed to reporters. But the White House later issued a brief account of the meeting, saying that it concluded after an unidentified member of the group told Reagan, “My father is there, and I want you to know I support your policies.”

White House spokesman Larry Speakes said that Reagan, who also has met with hostage families in Dallas and Indianapolis, “will try to work out some way” of talking with other relatives he has not met yet.

Promises to Retaliate

The President, departing from the prepared text of his speech before a crowd of several thousand, again issued a general promise to retaliate against what he called the “cancer” of terrorism and implied he would also seek retribution against nations that shelter terrorists.

“We cannot accept these repeated and vicious attacks against our nation and its citizens. Terrorists, and those who support them, must--and will--be held to account,” he declared.

Turning to what he called “a happier and brighter subject,” Reagan urged the flag-waving crowd to shower Congress with letters supporting his tax-revision proposal, insisting that both the House and Senate must act on bills before Thanskgiving.