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Secret

15 March 1986

Dr. Ra'd returns to Paris, claiming that he met with the kidnapers and :(b)(3)!“new proposals” from them.

French press reports indicate that three shiploads of French small arms and ammunition are headed toward Iran. French officials deny that Paris authorized a direct shipment, but they probably knew the shinment would go to Iran. (b)(3)

16 March 1986

The National Assembly elections in Paris bring a c itive coalition to power.

$(b)(3)!!!

12 March 1986

Hizballah spiritual leader Muhammad Husayn Fadlallah calls for the release of the TV crew,

rolling their kidnaping unjustified. (b)(3)

The Hizballah leadership releases a press communique denying any involvement in the French or other hostage affairs. The statement refutes Dr. Ra'd's claim that he reached a compromise with the radical Shias, claiming he never met with a Hizballah official. Fadlallah, however, admits that n..

Ra'd visited him.

(b)(3)

Iraqi President Saddam Husayn pardons Fawzi and Khayr al-Dina

back to France if they wish.

and says they are fre(b)(3)

14 March 1986

Unidentified couriers deliver a videotape of hostages Kauffmann, 17 March Carton, and Fontaine to the Visnews 1986 Bureau in Beirut. The hostages address messages to their families and appeal for pressure to be brought upon the French Government to achieve their release. They also called on France to stop supporting Iraq. According to the US Embassy in Beirut, the hostages all appear physically and (b)(3) psychologically worn down.

Syrian businessman Omran Adham tells the press in Paris that he is Mitterrand's personal envoy to Syrian President Assad. Adham did meet with Assad in Damascus two days earlier, but apparently did not receive any firm commitment from Assad to take further action on the hostage issue. Adham criticized Dr. Ra'd for interfering and making “illconsidered” promises to the kidnapers. He says the hostages could be set free in “a few days," but that only Syria could guarantee their release.

(b)(3)

A statement delivered to a Western news agency in Beirut claims that the previously unknown “Organization of Revolutionary Justice” was responsible for kidnaping the French TV crew. This may be another covername for Hizballah elements, possibly acting without the approval of the Hizballah leadership. The statement, accompanied by photocopies of Hansen's identification card and Normandin's driver's license, criticized “French colonialism" in

the Middle East.(b)(3)

27

Secret

Approved for Release: 2017/09/13 C05632837