Iraq to Free 9 in New Overture Toward France
Iraqi President Saddam Hussein today ordered the release of nine French nationals, the official Iraqi News Agency reported. The Frenchmen were among hundreds of Westerners believed held at key military and other installations Hussein fears might be attacked by the West.
It was the second gesture by Iraq toward France in as many days. On Sunday, Hussein complimented French President Francois Mitterrand for offering “positive” ideas to resolve the Persian Gulf crisis.
In another development, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Velayati and his Saudi counterpart, Prince Saud al Faisal, met in New York to discuss resuming diplomatic relations and ending a 2 1/2-year rift, Iran’s official news agency said today.
It was the first time senior officials from the two countries have met since the Saudis broke off ties in April, 1988, citing terrorism and subversion.
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