All Captives in Lebanon Held by Single Group, Ex-Hostage Asserts

Western hostages in Lebanon are being held by a single group of professional kidnapers who operate under a number of different labels, a freed French hostage said in a book published Wednesday.

“The organization which captures, detains and frees the hostages is made up of some 50 people spread through a dozen hide-outs in houses, flats and basements in the southern suburbs of Beirut,” wrote photojournalist Roger Auque.

“Hostages claimed by one or another group are in fact held by a single movement--the Islamic Resistance,” he said in the book, “A Hostage in Beirut.”

Auque was kidnapped in West Beirut on Jan. 13, 1987, hours after meeting with Terry Waite, the Anglican Church envoy who disappeared 14 months ago while trying to obtain the release of the foreigners held in Lebanon, of whom there are now 21. Auque was released last November.

“According to French negotiators, the same organization supplies the cells and the guards,” Auque said. “All they do is switch the (names) when it suits them.”

Auque quoted one of his captors as saying: “If they told me to go and fight with the Palestinians, I’d go. If I was told to paint a house, I would. If I’m told to watch over a hostage, I follow orders.

“I do it as a job. I get paid each month. I have no choice. We’ve got to eat, you know.”