
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, April 23, 1990                   TAG: 9004230349
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A/1   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Short

BUSH REJECTS DEALS

The White House said today that the United States will not deal for hostages, and it will take the unconditional release of all those still in captivity in Lebanon to "open the door toward better relations with Iran."

White House spokesman Marlin Fitzwater said preliminary reports indicate Robert Polhill "is malnourished and dehydrated, but . . . in relatively good condition" after being freed Sunday after 39 months in captivity.

Fitzwater did not say what the United States would do next, but said, "We are not going to trade for hostages, however, or make deals."

"We do not know what was the specific motivation for the release. We have always believed that Iran has control or at least influence over the hostage holders," he said. "Iran has been supportive of Mr. Polhill's release. We appreciate that."

He said debriefing of Polhill was just beginning. "The only information we have is that he was with [fellow teachers Jesse] Turner and [Alann] Steen throughout most of his captivity, up until the last few days. But I don't have any other details, other than they are alive and he was with them."

He echoed the hard line that Bush struck after learning of the release Sunday while fishing in Florida.

"As the president said yesterday, we want the release of all hostages. That would open the door towards better relations with Iran," said Fitzwater.

Fitzwater said the United States is "also looking for an accounting as to the status of the two missing hostages - William Buckley and Lt. Col. Richard Higgins" - both believed killed by their captors.

by CNB