Waite Appeals for Yule Release of American Captives

Church of England envoy Terry Waite appealed to radical Muslim kidnapers Friday to let their four American captives go home for Christmas. It was the third visit to Beirut in his quest for the hostages’ freedom.

Waite said after arriving from London that he has “just and fair proposals” for the captors. He was flanked by gunmen of the Shia Muslim militia Amal, who took him to a hotel in Muslim West Beirut.

“I remain optimistic,” he said. “I believe the situation still is very complicated.”

“The fact that I’m here at Christmas is partly coincidental,” Waite said, “but I would hope that the significance of this religious festival, which is a time of peace on Earth and good will towards men, would not be lost here in this country.”