First Middle East Division, 'Briefing Material for the Prime Minister [Nakasone]: Problem of the Release of the American Hostages'

Secret No. 146

Briefing Material for the Prime Minister

Problem of the Release of the American Hostages

September 18, 1985

First Middle East Division

1. Ambassador Nakayama visited Syria from the 14^th to the 18^th and met with Foreign Minister Shara. In that meeting, when the Ambassador posed a question in regard to the recent situation regarding the matter in question, the other side spoke as follows. (In addition, President Assad had at first been happy to meet with Ambassador Nakayama. However, word came on the 17^th from the Office of the President that Assad was satisfied with the report of the meeting with Foreign Minister Shara and that, due to a meeting between the prime ministers of Syria and Jordan, a change of the situation in Lebanon, and such, it had become difficult to see Ambassador Nakayama during his stay in Syria.)

(1) In relation to this matter, we well understand the Government of Japan’s strong interest and the Government of Japan’s position based on a humanitarian point of view. Knowing the strength of Japan’s interest, Syria has decided to make even more of an effort in relation to this problem. Syria will continue working towards a resolution of this problem.

(2) However, in addition to the complexity of Lebanon, there is the difficulty of the hostage problem itself. The condition of protecting to the utmost the security of the hostages makes the problem more difficult. I myself see the problem being resolved in the near future.

On February 16, in a conversation that Ambassador to the United States Matsunaga had with President’s Assistant McFarlane, the latter spoke as follows:

(1) I agree with the President that the work and response of the Government of Japan is most encouraging and hopeful. The President has repeatedly said that we cannot thank the Government of Japan enough for their hard work.

(2) Regarding the news of the release of one of the Americans, according to the information that we have obtained, it its true. It is good news for us, but we still do not have a firm grasp on the background to it. For now, we are doing everything we can to re-unite that person with his family. However, as we still cannot say what effect announcing this release would have on the other hostages, our policy is not to announce it at this time.

(Note) According to a foreign dispatch of the 15^th, there is information that Benjamin Weir, one of the seven American hostages, (a pastor of the Presbyterian Church and a teacher, a 30-year resident of Lebanon, 61 years old, abducted on May 8, 1984) was released on the 14^th by the Islamic Jihad Organization.