- sig a et Approved For Release 2000/08/08 Algiers Talks — Displays a Smile — Star Wire Sarvices ALGIERS — After a day. of intense diplomatic exchanges that resolved the central issues of the agreement ° to free the American hostages in Iran, Deputy Secretary of State War- ren M. Christopher, the chief Amer- ican negotiator, last night initialed the. accords. ~ - 6 Offictals had worked late into the night translating and readying. the documents for the signature. . When he returned from an earller evening meeting with the Algerian foreign minister, Christo her had smiling broadly for the first time in days but, as usual, he had refused to make any comment. Co A small: group of reporters wit. nessed the signing. oe Christopher signed three doc uments, initialing each page. Their contents were not. immediately made public. . oo “This is a very. happy day," Christopher said after the signing ceremony. . . “at last Ican smile,” said the en- voy who frequently met journalists’ questions with silence during the final 12 days of complex negotiations here. Speaking to Algerian Foreign Min- ister Mohamed Benyahia during the ceremony, Christopher said, ‘y wotld like to take this opportunity on behalf of President Carter and all the people of the United States to thank your government and espe- cially you personally for undertak- ing the difficult role of intermediary. You and your col- leagues have performed this heavy ‘responsibility with great impartial- ity, discretion and high skill. “The American people will always remember this contribution to hu-. tianitarian matters by the Algerian people and their leaders,” he added. «- Asked by reporters if he knew when the hostages would be freed, Christopher replied, “I don't know.” He spoke of “initlaling” the doc- uments, but reporters saw him sign his full name on the three separate instruments. It was not immediately clear whether he was used the term “initialing” in-the technical sense of a pre-signing or as a synonym for the formal signing. . . The official Algerian press agen- cy, reporting the ceremony, also said Christopher “initialed” the doc- uments. ~ a It said the State Department gave the Algerian charge d'affaire in Washington a- letter early today Cleared Way J ‘Christopher Finally _- Algiers ALGERIA Continued From A-1. trying day for her and the families . of other hostages, noting that it was a“ day of chills and thrills.” Rita Ode, of Sun City, Ariz. wife of hostage Robert C, Ode, 65,a retired career Foreign Service officer in Tehran on special assignment, sald “Thank God, it looks over.” * : Then taking a more cautious ap proach, she added «but until they're in the air and out of jranian airspace, I'm not going to get ex cited.” - ; She said she hoped “it does not take too long to get them out of there. It has been 4 long, painful time. Let’s hope it won't be too long before it is all over.” While also expressing the need for caution until the hostages are free,-Winona McKeel, of Balch Sprifgs, Texas, mother of Marine Sgt. Johnny McKeel Jr., was trying to supress near. “['m happy, very happy,” she said. “T've tied a fresh, new yellow ribbon around the old oak tree. If its not raining later today, we will cover this town with yellow ribbons.” She had been upall nightawaiting © word on the negotiations and said when it started raining, she made up a big pot of coffee and invited all the reporters standing around outside to come in and get dry and have coffee. . “We just sat around and talked. We had a real nice get-together,” she said of her new found reporter ke it is all her joy, but covtd not | hide her belief that the end was. * 7 Cr re a, a Cal ih ee a A i atl THE WASHINGTON STAR Hostages’ Families Fe low Dev Through a Night of Elation . : ‘The Washington star ‘LOUISA KENNEDY. “A day of chills and thrills” from televiston and the State Depart- ment that the agreement had been | signed. They had gathered together for mutual support after months of highs and lows in emotions. “Thank God we are a close family, and we see each other often. We've been able to give each other a tre- mendous amount of support,” said Ernie Cooke, one of the brothers. The Cookes, like most of the hos- tage families are taking the advice ti d Sec- _ fri . Ebi Molease Wh oia/OfrsalAsRDP IS HOLE NGO DOASOOU2- “* . Oo Oe Be Cat targa: AQ an * Frederick. Kupke, : CIA-RDP96-00788R002100450002-9 eg a Sat iy ETE OS 4Qad. onday, January 19, 1981 BA Possible : routes from Tehran no final plans for Donald's return to the United States, his brother sald they probably will retreat “some: where away from the news.” Arthur Kupke, father of hostage 32, said he re- ceived word from the State Depart: ment at.3-a.m. in his home at Francesville, Ind. “t was expecting it," Kupke said. “P]1 wait until they get out of there and then toto Washington to meet him. If he wants us to go to Germany, we will, but I think we should give nim to time to get oriented. I am a little afraid of seeing him after such a long time.” . , “Ym very glad this ha ned fi- nally,” said Earl Graves 0 lagstaff, Ariz., Graves. =. . Graves said he had no plans to tives arrive in Washington. “t's gding to be days at least,” he redicted. Jeff Needham of Bellevue, Neb. : prother of hostage Paul Needham, exclaimed, “This {8 it. It’s all over,” — after the State Department called his family about 4:15 a.m. EST to the son of hostage John : travel to Germany to meet his father = but planned to wait until the cap = sf to mp mal end ge gm og three or four ~ tell them of the latest developments. In Pasadena, Calif., the Rev. Earl Lee and his wife, Hazel, said they finally will allow themselves to be- lieve the 443<Jay ordeal is over. “Treaity think itis unbelievable,” said Lee, whose son, Gary, was among the captives. “But, yes, Ican . believe it now. I'm satisfied. | feel great. excitement and .gatisfaction - _and thankfulness that itis just about over, 80 __-Htis over really, but we still want im unload fed) thantéal tn ad o see Gary.on. 4 plane and hear