The World : Paris Gets Hostage Letters

The French government has received short, handwritten letters from four French hostages in Lebanon that reportedly show they are in good health, officials in Paris and a French television station said. The messages from the four--Antenne 2 television crew members Philippe Rochot, Georges Hansen, Aurel Cornea and Jean-Louis Normandin--are believed by the government to be genuine and represent a “glimmer of hope,” the station said. Authorities refused to provide further details, and a station spokesman said he does not know how the letters were sent.