RAFSANJANI ON RELEASE OF HOSTAGES

UNCLAS BEIRUT 06115

TERREP

E.O. 12356: N/A
TAGS: PTER, IR, LE
SUBJ: RAFSANJANI ON RELEASE OF HOSTAGES

1. NOVEMBER 5 EDITION OF AL-SAFIR (LEFTIST) QUOTES
RAFSANJANI, IN HIS STATEMENTS ABOUT ALLEGED MCFARLANE
VISIT, AS SAYING:

-- "WE WILL ADVISE THE GROUPS IN LEBANON LOYAL TO IRAN
TO RELEASE THE AMERICAN ANDIFRENCH HOSTAGES IF LEBANESE
PRISONERS IN ISRAEL ARE FREED AND WASHINGTON AND PARIS
STOP THEIR USELESS HOSTILE ACTIONS AGAINST US. IF THE
DEMANDS OF THE OPPRESSED MUSLIMS IN LEBANON ARE MET AND
IF YOU PROVE THAT YOU WILL NOT BE HOSTILE, OR BEHAVE
ANTAGONISTICALLY, WE WILL INFORM OUR FRIENDS IN LEBANON
ABOUT OUR OPINIONS, FROM A HUMANITARIAN VIEW. THE FATE
OF SOME OF THE HOSTAGES IS IN THE HANDS OF ISLAMIC GROUPS
AND SOME OF THE ISLAMIC FORCES DO LISTEN TO US...IF IRAN
SHOULD CALL FOR THE RELEASE OF THE HOSTAGES, OUR FRIENDS
IN LEBANON ARE FREE TO RESPOND OR NOT. THEY LISTEN TO
US SOMETIMES."

2. COMMENT: ABOVE STATEMENT APPEARS AT CONCLUSION OF
RAFSANJANI'S REPOMED REMARKS. END COMMENT.

KELLY