World IN BRIEF : INDIA : Western Hostages May Be Freed Soon

U.S. Rep. Bill Richardson (D-N.M.) said an American and three other Westerners held by separatist Muslim guerrillas in Kashmir for seven months will be released soon. Richardson, who has helped free Americans held in Iraq and North Korea, said he could not give details of how he knew the hostages were still alive. “My plans are to continue working on this issue. I will be going to Pakistan this evening to talk to authorities about this issue,” he said. Richardson is seeking freedom for Donald Hutchings of Spokane, Wash., along with German Dirk Hasert and Britons Keith Mangan and Paul Wells, who were captured by Al Faran guerrillas while trekking in southern Kashmir in July.