‘No Stone Unturned’ in Mideast Hostage Crisis, Bush Declares

President Bush today said that he is “leaving no stone unturned” in trying to free American hostages in the Middle East but that he lacks hard information as he tries to deal with the crisis “in a prudent way.”

Bush said he has contacted many world leaders including British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and has “had assurance after assurance . . . they want to help.”

“You can just rest assured that we’re going about our business in, I’d say, a prudent way,” he said, declining to discuss any specifics of what he had in mind.

Asked at a photo session whether he has information that hostages’ lives might be in danger in the wake of the reported execution of Marine Lt. Col. William R. Higgins by his Shiite Muslim captors, Bush replied:

“We are considering that that might well be the case, given statements we have seen.”

Bush was asked if it would make matters easier if Israel released the leading militant Muslim cleric whose kidnaping inflamed the hostage situation and prompted threats against the eight Americans held captive.

Without directly criticizing Israel, the President repeated his earlier call for a release of all hostages held by all parties in the region.

Asked about potential military action in light of the movement of U.S. warships in the Middle East, Bush replied, “We’re prudently planning.”

However, his comments seemed to indicate that he has made no decisions on a plan of action.