European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 4, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse Steen Given Freedom says 5 years no fun Damascus Syria apr american Alann Steen smiling and weeping for Joy was released by shiite Muslim extremists tuesday after five years of Captivity in Lebanon and said a a it a great to be the 52-year-old teacher was the see ond hostage released in two Days and his Freedom augurs a speedy Resolution to the hostage drama. There was growing speculation that the last american captive journalist Terry Anderson will soon walk free. Steen appeared thin and Pale at a Brief news conference at the. Syrian foreign ministry and appeared to seek Eirdance from United nations and . Officials As he spoke to reporters. Steen wept As he rept id o Steen was handed Over to . Ambassador Christopher Ross at the foreign ministry. A i done to think i can find the words right now to express How i feel except that its wonderful a he said his voice choking with emotion and his hands shaking. A five years is no Steen appeared relatively fit and said he exercised for two hours every Day while in Captivity. He was clean shaven. Asked if he had a message for his wife Steen said a i love her i miss the couple were married just six months before the Beirut University College teacher was abducted. Steen is the eighth Western hostage released since August when the United Jackie Scardino daughter of Alann Steen poses for pictures with her son Jordan Alann 2, and husband Chris at their Home in thousand Oaks calif., after learning monday that her father was Likely to be released. American Joseph Cicippio and Steen were freed after Washington paid Iran $278 million for weaponry impounded during the 1979-80 Tehran postage crisis. On sunday Israel released 25 Arab nations began intensive negotiations to arrange a Swap of Western hostages for i a i a uiu6uijs in 71 Zumut hundreds of grab prisoners heh by is free so nce Quot a a a 6� new a Rael and its proxy militia in Lebanon. Israel seeks an accounting of four missing servicemen in Lebanon. Iran Long the chief Backer of lebanese kidnappers and Syria the main Power broker in Lebanon Are now striving to free Western hostages. Iranian president Hashemi a Sfanjani is seeking to end Iran s isolation and shed its image As an outlaw state that supports terrorism. Syria once the Vanguard of Arab radicalism and a longtime soviet ally is realigning with the West after the collapse of communism. Prisoners bringing to 91 the total number let free since August and giving new impetus to hostage releases. Since August Srael and its proxy militia in Southern Lebanon have released 91 of the More than 300 arabs whose release the hos Tage holders have sought As part of a comprehensive solution to the ordeal. The pro iranian organization of islamic jihad for liberation of Palestine said Steen who was kidnapped Jan. 24,1987, was freed under a agreement. A Syria is the traditional first Stop for hostages released in Lebanon. After being set free in Beirut Steen was see Steen on Page 2 Cicippio begins tests at Wiesbaden Hospital Wiesbaden Germany a Joseph Cicippio awoke tuesday As a free Man for the first time in More than five years had breakfast with his wife and began tests to determine whether his health a amp damaged As a hostage in Lebanon. Doctors at the . Military Hospital in Wiesbaden said earlier that he seemed in generally Good shape but relatives who saw glimpses of Nim on television following his release monday were worried about his health. The Hospital has become known As a Freedom Hall for released american hostages. Past guests have included 52 americans freed in 1981 after being held in Iran for More than a year a string of americans held captive in Lebanon and people who Weic see Cicippio on Page 2 Soldier gets 34 years for spying by Chuck Roberts staff writer Heidelberg Germany a a former 8th inf div Soldier has been sentenced to 34 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges of espionage Ana contacting the enemy. Spec. Albert t. Gombolay pleaded guilty july 16 and was convicted july 17 in bad Kreuz Nach Germany in connection with his activities with Iraq and Jordan during the persian Gulf War according to a news release by the . Army Europe Public affairs office in Heidelberg. Information about the court martial could not be released until last saturday because the investigation continued after the trial according to Millie Waters a Usa eur spokeswoman. Usa eur would not sex Elain what was involved in the follow up investigation because of the nature of the Case. Gombolay who was assigned to the 2nd in 29th Field arty ill Baum older also was Given a dishonourable discharge reduced to the lowest enlisted rank and required to forfeit All pay and allowances. He was sent to the military prison at fort Leavenworth kan., in november. Before his arrest March 29, Gombolay told an under see spying on Page 2
