Vanderbilt Television News Archive

(Paris: Forrest Sawyer) Report introduced.

(Baghdad: Dennis Troute) Announcement by Iraqi President Saddam Hussein that he will begin releasing foreign hostages on Christmas under certain conditions examined; various scenes shown. [Two MEN - react to Hussein's offer.] Suppositions on these conditions outlined.

(Washington: Kathleen deLaski) Hussein's position on hostages and the possibility of a United States attack examined; scenes shown from ABC interview with him on Thursday. [HUSSEIN - (thru translator) responds to question about whether peace pledge from President Bush would secure hostages' freedom.] [Brookings Institution Judith KIPPER - says Iraq has realized hostage issue is working against their interests.] [Washington Institute for Near East Policy Martin INDYK - says time frame in which hostages are to be released is the same as the "window of opportunity" for war.] [Brother of hostage James STEVENSON - says Hussein has taken the initiative.]

(Paris: Forrest Sawyer) Report introduced.

(White House: Brit Hume) Reaction of Bush's administration to Hussein's announcement about hostages reported; scenes shown of Bush in Paris with French President Francois Mitterrand. [Secretary of State James BAKER - says Hussein should release them now.] Bush's diplomatic efforts to mount a show of force against Iraq detailed; scenes shown of Bush with German Chancellor Helmut Kohl. [KOHL - (thru translator) says all hostages should be released.] Attitudes of Bush and European leaders to hostage issue reviewed.