Hostages’ Envoy Hopeful, Warns Against False Steps

The Archbishop of Canterbury’s negotiator said today he has made progress in three secret meetings with the kidnapers of Americans held hostage, but he said the road to freedom for the captives remains difficult and dangerous.

“False steps, however well-intentioned, that interfere with the process I have started could end in disaster,” negotiator Terry Waite said. “The situation does remain very dangerous. The way ahead is difficult, but by no means impossible, and I am hopeful.

“It might appear to some that a point of deadlock has been reached. While I do not deny the very grave difficulties facing me with this problem, I do believe it can be resolved. That will involve a great deal more work by myself and the good will and support of others.”

Rival Muslim militias battled outside West Beirut’s Commodore Hotel while Waite spoke to journalists in the lobby. His schedule was disrupted by the fighting between Druze militiamen and gunmen of the Shia Muslim militia Amal.

The archbishop’s representative, an Anglican layman, had intended to fly to New York on Thursday night to consult with U.S. Administration and church officials. He was trapped by the fighting and now plans to leave Saturday.

He began his mission after four of six Americans missing in Lebanon wrote to Archbishop Robert A. K. Runcie, spiritual head of the Anglican Church, appealing for his intervention to get them out.

Waite, 46, disclosed that he has met with the kidnapers twice since Tuesday, when he returned from a visit to London for talks with senior U.S. officials. He said he also met with them last week during his first visit.

Waite said there would be no further meetings during his enforced delay in Beirut because of the savage street battles.

“I’ll just sit it out for a couple of days and then go on,” he said. “There’s nothing to be gained now by another meeting with them until I’ve taken another step.”