British hostage reported well

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32565, 26 March 1971, Page 9

British hostage reported well

(N.Z.P. A.-Reuter—Copyright) MONTEVIDEO, March 25. The British Ambassador to Uruguay (Mr Geoffrey Jackson) who is 56, was said to be well yesterday, and to be joking with the Tupamaros guerrillas who kidnapped him nearly 11 weeks ago.

The Uruguayan AttorneyGeneral (Mr Guido Berro Oribe), who has just been freed by the guerrillas, told a press conference that he met the British diplomat last

week in a cellar hide-out, the whereabouts of which he did not know. “He was in good health and showed great presence of mind—he even cracked a few jokes," said Mr Berro Oribe, adding that Mr Jackson was, however, unshaven and wearing only underpants. "Once he told the Tupamaros that they had never kidnapped such a jolly good pair as us,” he said. The Attorney-General, who was kidnapped on March 10 “for a chat,” was released after being driven blindfold through the city in a stolen taxi.

Mr Berro Oribe said that he was well treated during his captivity, and received good food and sleeping tablets when he wanted to rest. He was questioned closely, but he was not prepared to say what about. Observers in Montevideo believe that the interrogation concerned the fate of 200 prisoners said to be Tupamaros guerrillas now held in Uruguay gaols. The Tupamaros are concerned to know whether they will be tried by civilian or military courts.