Daniloff Says Americans Won’t Forget Hostages in Lebanon
Reporter Nicholas Daniloff, in an emotion-packed surprise appearance at ceremonies marking the bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution, promised hostage Terry Anderson today that Americans will not forget him and other Americans held hostage in Lebanon.
Speaking before 7,000 fellow journalists, Daniloff unintentionally upstaged retired Chief Justice Warren Burger at the ceremony, appearing just four days after he was released from custody in the Soviet Union.
“My intellect is here to praise the Constitution and the Bill of Rights,” Daniloff said.
“But my heart goes out to my brother journalist Terry Anderson of the Associated Press, who is being held hostage in Lebanon,” Daniloff said, his voice choking with emotion. “To him and the other hostages and his sister, Peggy Say, I want to say, ‘We shall not forget you.’ ”
Daniloff, a U.S. News & World Report correspondent, was imprisoned in August by the Soviet Union on spy charges before being released to the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. He was permitted to leave Moscow this week.
The reporters, writers, photographers and broadcasters from around the country, who were on hand for the Constitution celebration and a birthday party for Walt Disney World, responded with tears and a standing ovation.
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