Hostage Spared 45 Minutes Before Execution Deadline : Kidnapers Declare a ‘Freeze’

BEIRUT —  The kidnapers of American hostage Joseph J. Cicippio today suspended his death sentence because of mediation by countries that intervened at the request of the United States.

The announcement was delivered 45 minutes before the 10 p.m. (noon PDT) deadline set for Cicippio’s death. It was the second message today from the Revolutionary Justice Organization. Earlier, it released a statement announcing Cicippio’s death sentence had been put off for four hours.

The latest statement was delivered to a Western news agency in Beirut along with an instant photograph of Cicippio, looking into the camera with the trace of a smile on his face.

International Intervention Cited

“Out of respect for the intervention by the parties and states with whom America pleaded to mediate and stop the execution, we declare the freezing of the death sentence and its substitution with an initiative,” said the 14-line Arabic statement.

In Washington, White House spokesman Marlin Fitzwater said the Administration regarded the suspension of the death threat “an encouraging and hopeful development” but added: “It still does not answer our continuing concern for release of all hostages.

“We urge that all parties in the region use whatever influence they have to end the tragedy of hostage-taking and to release those remaining in captivity,” Fitzwater said. “And we express our appreciation to all those who have been thus far trying to help.”

The kidnapers’ statement demanded that Israel release Sheik Abdel Karim Obeid, a Shiite Muslim cleric kidnaped Friday by Israeli commandos, as well as Palestinian and Lebanese guerrillas held in Israel. Lists of them are to be prepared later and presented to the Red Cross, it said.

Previous Demand

Previously, the group had only demanded freedom for Obeid and two companions seized with him.

“Acceptance should be announced within days, otherwise the initiative will be considered canceled,” the handwritten message said. It did not say if the death sentence would then be restored.

Earlier today, Israel said it will not free Obeid until Israeli soldiers and foreigners held in Lebanon are freed.

That was in response to the earlier Revolutionary Justice message, which included a videotape on which Cicippio read a statement appealing for freedom for Obeid.

“I appeal to each person having honor who can move to release Sheik Abdel Karim Obeid. . . . Don’t be late, because they (the captors) are very serious,” Cicippio read.

Looked Haggard, Distressed

Cicippio, with a bushy beard, was shown from the waist up. He was wearing eyeglasses and a blue track suit and looked haggard and distressed.

“So to help me move, I demand from the American people, oblige Israel to release Sheik Abdel Karim Obeid immediately because his kidnaping is not human,” Cicippio said, reading slowly.

“We the American people are always the victims of Israel’s politics, and President Bush has not helped to free us.”