Cable briefs

Press, 10 January 1987, Page 8

Cable briefs

Hostage freed One of the three prison officers held hostage by inmates at Barlinnie Prison, Glasgow, was set free yesterday. The release of Andrew Smith, aged 23, was negotiated by the authorities in return for food for inmates, who had been holding the officers captive since Tuesday. — London. Journalist expelled The "New York Times” said yesterday that its chief South African correspondent had been ordered to leave the country, and that his successor would not be granted an entry visa. The newspaper said South African authorities had refused to reconsider an order that Alan Cowell leave the country before tomorrow. — New York. Placido sued The promoters of Placido Domingo’s cancelled London concert last month are suing the opera star for damages of more than £lOO,OOO ($281,000) over his last-minute decision not to appear. The Spanish tenor caused a furore in mid-December by telling a television interviewer on the eve of his December 17 recital that he would not perform because ticket prices were too high. — London. Hydro loan The World Bank will extend China a SUSI4O million ($264 million) loan to help tap the country’s hydro-electric power potential. China already relies on hydro-electric power to generate 30 per cent of its electricity, the bank said, but has only developed about 4 per cent of its total hydroelectric power potential. — Washington. Drugs burned Pakistani authorities have burned 540 kg of heroin with a street value in the United States of SUSS4O million ($1 billion). The narcotic, seized over the last six months in Karachi, Pakistan’s biggest city, was destroyed along with more than 15 tonnes of marijuana. — Karachi. B.A. sell-off soon The British Government says that British Airways (8.A.), the State-run national carrier, will be sold off to the public next month. More than 720 million ordinary shares will go on sale early in February, with a minimum investment of 400 shares, and stock exchange dealings in the new shares will begin on February 11. — London.