European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 11, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Vol. 50, no. 120 sunday August 11,1991 authorized unofficial publication for the . Armed forces 500 d 8693 american could be free rival kidnappers threaten to kill French captive Beirut Lebanon apr one hostage holding group said saturday it would free an american within 72 hours but another threatened to kill its French captive if a Westerner is unconditionally released. The developments suggested a Sharp rift among Kidnap factions on whether to participate in a Deal that would free the 13 Western hostages and whatts terms would be. The hostage situation was complicated thursday by the seizure of Jerome Peyraud a Frenchman working for a medical Relief group. Despite the confusion saturday brought expressions of optimism from some quarters. A we continue to receive reports from diplomatic sources that a captive release will occur a said White House spokesman Marlin Fitzwater. . Secretary general Javier Perez de Cuellar flew to Britain on saturday for a meeting sunday with freed. British hostage John Mccarthy who will hand Over a sealed letter from islamic jihad the group that released him on thursday. Arriving in London Perez de Cuellar told reporters he was heartened by reports that another hostage might soon be released. A at this stage we already have one Back so i think there Are reasons for believing they Are going to move a he said. The announcement of a planned release came from the revolutionary Justice organization which claims to hold americans Joseph James Cicippio and Edward Austin Tracy. The statement was accompanied by a photograph of Cicippio 60. Possible hostage release route Germany any american would be town by the . Military to Rhein main a. 500 Miles. 500 pm hostages have the option of a medical exam at the air Force Hospital in Wiesbaden. In the past released hostages have been taken to Damascus from Lebanon. Mediterranean sea Lebanon Anthony left and Thomas Cicippio wait at their Home in Norristown pa., for word about their brother Joseph. The families of Tracy and Cicippio said they were afraid to get their Hopes up that their loved ones would be freed. A fall this week has been hopeful until they captured the Frenchman a said Tracy smother Doris Tracy of South Burlington it. A i think that a. Really made it difficult. So perhaps they mean  Cicippio a wife Elham in a Telephone interview in Beirut said she was a very Happy to hear of the groups statement. Quot i Hope Joe will be released. I Hope All the hostages will be  the hostage holding group stressed however that release of All 13 Western hostages hinges on the release of prisoners held by Israel and its allies. The group is especially interested in the release of Sheik Abdel see american on Page 2 on usually Hospital at Wiesbaden by Marynetti Down the offer of a medical examination at the la staff writer one of the first choices released hostages gel to make is whether to visit the . Air Force medical Center in Wiesbaden Germany. A we simply make our services available a said master sgt. Charles Fick spokesman for the joint information Bureau at nearby Lindsey air station. A the released hostages Are really free a he said. A it is up to them whether or not they choose to come Here. If they wish to do so Well take great care of  Fick said he knows of no hostage who has turned Down the offer of a medical examination at the Hospital. The Hospital May add another one to its Rolls soon. Pro iranian kidnappers announced saturday that in 72 hours they would free one of two american hostages they grabbed in Beirut Lebanon five years ago. Joseph James Cicippio was captured on sept. 12, 1986, and Edward Austin Tracy was taken on oct. 19, 1986. The released hostage like other americans freed in recent years would arrive at Rhein main a Ger see hostages on Page 2 ap/s4s # # most remaining Vii corps units on Dod hit list by Vince Crawley Nairn Borg Bureau More than half of the units within Vii corps have been transferred to v corps according to a Vii corps list. And nearly All of the soldiers who remain under Vii corps command and control Are in units scheduled to disband or return to the states by the end of the year. The army began merging the two corps in mid june and military officials in Germany and Washington have said that the two Europe based corps would be Cut to one under troop reduction agreements. But no Public announcement has been made about the possible deactivation of the army a vi1 corps which is based in Stuttgart Germany. A the designation of the remaining corps has not been determined a said maj. Freda Brame a spokeswoman with the european come in Stuttgart. Officials also cautioned against Rushing to conclusions. A a corps Headquarters can move Brame pointed out a even if Vii corps Headquarters goes away the remaining corps could still be renamed a said it. Col. James Gleisberg the Vii corps Public affairs officer. Lie said the decision probably has not been made. Out of a list of More than 250 battalions separate companies and Headquarters units More than 160 have been transferred to v corps. Nearly All of the rest Are on the Pentagon a draw Down schedule. The Vii corps contained 74,000 soldiers in peacetime and 145,000 during its ground assault into Iraq during the persian Gulf War. It will be reduced to a few thousand Headquarters and support people by Early next year if units meet their published draw Down schedules according to the list of units. Major units that still belong to vol corps include parts of the following 1st army div which has its Headquarters in Ansbach 1st inf div fwd in popping in 2nd corps support come near Stutt see corps on Page 2