European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 21, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse Thursday november 21, 1991 the stars and stripes a Page 13 comment aryed Blanch hostages release a turning Point in crisis Damascus Syria a the release of Thomas Sutherland and Teny Waite Marks a significant breakthrough in the hostage drama and accelerates the process launched by the United nations to end the Western captives Nightmare. It was the first time in 2vi years that two hostages have been freed together. Two German Relief workers were released May 5, 1989. Unlike the two earlier releases by the pro iranian shiite Muslim kidnappers since the . Initiative began in August Sutherland and Waite were apparently released without the israelis freeing Arab prisoners first. It was not Clear Why Sutherland the second longest held of the Western hostages and Waite the Church of England envoy who shiite leaders had indicated would be one of the last to be released were freed together. But their release raise a speculation that the israelis May have made a commitment to free Sheik Abdul Karim Obid their most valuable shiite prisoner. The israelis were playing their cards very close to the Chest and there has been no Public hint that Obeid s release was imminent. In fact the israelis have indicated that their missing air Force navigator Ron Arad who was shot Down Over Lebanon in 1986. Must be returned first. The israelis alleged that Obid a leading shiite cleric was the Mastermind for terrorist operations by Hezbollah or party of god the Parent movement of the hostage holding groups Quot and the driving Force behind guerrilla attacks on the israelis in South Lebanon. He was kidnapped along with two aides by israeli commandos in Southern Lebanon on july a. Pis1. His release has been one of the shiites main demands. Some syrian officials have been intimating that All the hostages will be freed by the end of the year. At least five westerners remain in Captivity a three americans and two germans. The americans include Yorty Anderson the longest held captive. Anderson chief Middle East correspondent for the associated press was kidnapped in Beirut in March 16, 1985. Shiite leaders have said he is the most prize of the hostages and would probably be freed last. But in the opaque Arena of the hostage negotiations nothing is certain. The delicate and Complex trading in human lives has in the past been derailed by other events in the volatile Middle East. The outcry against the Arab israeli peace talks by Muslim extremists who consider them a sellout to the jewish state at one Point appeared to threaten the . Effort to free the hostages. But mondays release underlined that the . Effort remains on track and that All the parties involved a Iran Syria Israel and the moving to end the Long running crisis once and for All. By helping free Sutherland and Waite Syria has underscored the accelerating Pace of its realignment with the West after years of being in the Vanguard of Arab radicalism. Its help in the hostage releases can score Points with Washington in the peace process that now appears to be finally under Way. C Trio associated press Anthony lewisite s disturbing that Duke has any following a sigh of Relief that is the first reaction to the result in Louisiana. David Duke lost and we can put aside our worst fears America is not so susceptible to the virus of racism. But it is not really an occasion for Relief when a Man who As recently As two years ago openly peddled nazi propaganda wins nearly 40 percent of the vote in an american state. It is not an occasion for Relief when a former Leader of the Kun flux klan can master the techniques of modern politics so Well that for hundreds of thousands of voters he is a hero the voice of their frustration. And it is not an occasion for Relief when it takes weeks of Effort local National focused on a single election to defeat such a Man. If this had been just one of Many significant races around the country would the attention and the Money have been there to fight David Duke a America be on guard a Edwin Edwards told a new Orleans crowd celebrating his Victory. He said Louisiana had a rejected the demagogue a but the country could face a another assault of bigotry in the presidential Campaign. Yes it could. Duke got Campaign contributions from 46 states. A finance report he filed at the end of october said that 47 percent of the $1,370,667 he had then received in contributions came from people outside Louisiana. Newspapers found some of the out of state contributors and asked Why they liked David Duke. The answers Tell us a Good Deal about Public feelings these Days. Gerard Nadeau 74, a retired Engineer in Adams mass., contributed $50. He told Chris Black of the Boston Globe a the republicans take care of the Rich the democrats take care of the Blacks and David Duke takes care of the Whites. No one else is for the Whites. 1 think civil rights have ruined this country. Black people Don t want to work. A they Are taking Over All the housing projects. This country is ruined. John e. Carlson 61, of Mars tons Mills mass., retired from the air Force said a this country is becoming a third rate nation. What kind of country is this when Bush pushes a free Trade Bill that takes All the businesses out of the United states a Michael Debeck of new York who said he was a teacher told Dennis Hevesi of the new York times that Duke was saying Quot that there is something basically wrong with our system of government that tuxes Are getting out of hand that the Laws we have Are definitely discriminating. He is willing to address the mounting welfare Debeck objected most vigorously to affirmative action. A White people Are not Bon a amp an being Given a fair shake these Days Quot he said. The comments show How Elfee timely Duke touched people s feelings a feelings that often have Little to do with the facts. For example president bus is of course not proposing a Trade Hill to move All businesses out of the United states. Welfare is another area where resentful emotion overwhelms truth. Duke was cheered for saying that High welfare pay ments encourage babies. In Louisiana welfare pays an additional $11 a week per child. The racial and nativist feelings come through most strikingly. Again facts Are irrelevant. Affirmative action for women and minorities has virtually nothing to do with unemployment or other economic stress Felt by White males. But there must be someone to blame for the misery that millions Are suffering. Duke was Only follow Fang Hajj in footsteps of respectable politicians. Ronald Reagan told and retold his tale of a Quot welfare George Bush waved the bloody shirt of but there is something special something incredible about americans voting in Large numbers for an admirer of Adolf Hitler l Ess than 50 years ago americans died fighting the unmitigated evil of Naz ism. To know that Many today would Overlook a politicians attachment to that evil or would believe his thin claims to have found redemption is to know something is deeply wrong in this country. Quot we be been sending a message Quot Duke said As he conceded de Teal m Louisiana. Quot next year you la Haw the message being expanded All Over the nation Ilith it new i t i its
