Gifts Reflect Hopes of Hostage’s Family

Gifts for Terry A. Anderson, one of the American hostages in Lebanon, will remain under the Christmas tree at his sister’s home “until all the needles fall down,” she said.

Peggy Say, whose brother was kidnaped in Lebanon in March, 1985, said that her family hung a stocking and wrapped presents for Anderson in the hope that he would be released in time for Christmas, the Plain Dealer newspaper reported Saturday.

Anderson was chief Middle East correspondent for the Associated Press. He is believed to be held by the pro-Iranian group Islamic Jihad.

Say, of Batavia, N.Y., said her most recent hope for her brother had been Anglican Church negotiator Terry Waite’s planned mission to Lebanon, but intense fighting around the Beirut airport prompted Waite to postpone his trip.