LEBANON: FORMER HOSTAGE TERRY WAITE VISITS PALESTINIAN REFUGEE CAMP AND SPEAK ON NEED FOR MIDDLE EAST PEACE

Record ID: 275264

  • Title: LEBANON: FORMER HOSTAGE TERRY WAITE VISITS PALESTINIAN REFUGEE CAMP AND SPEAK ON NEED FOR MIDDLE EAST PEACE
  • Date: 17th February 2004
  • Summary: (W5) NORTHERN LEBANON, LEBANON, (FEBRUARY 17, 2004) (REUTERS -ACCESS ALL) 1. SLV FORMER HOSTAGE TERRY WAITE ARRIVES IN NORTHERN LEBANON AND GETS OFF BUS 0.10 2. VARIOUS OF WAITE GREETED BY QASSEM AINA, PRESIDENT OF THE LEBANESE CHARITY, BEIT ATFAL ASSOMOUD AND WALKING INTO BUILDING 0.21 3. SMV CHILDREN AT THE PALESTINIAN CAMP PLACING TRADIT
  • Embargoed: 3rd March 2004 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: NORTHERN LEBANON AND BEIRUT, LEBANON
  • Country: Lebanon
  • Reuters ID: LVA6475A5RLH19M29ZMKN0YXZ6I8
  • Story Text: Ex-hostage Terry Waite returns to Lebanon and
    visits the Baddawi Palestinian Refugee Camp with a message
    for peace.



    Former hostage Terry Waite returned to Lebanon for
    the first time after his kidnapping with a message for
    peace.

    Waite, accompanied by YMCA staff, visited the Northern
    Palestinian refugee camp and the Palestinian charity
    organization, Beit Atfal Assomoud on Tuesday morning
    (February 17).

    He visited the rehabilitation centres and the children
    residing in the camp and distributed certificates to young
    YMCA boys.

    Waite, who returned for the first time to Lebanon in 12
    years on Monday (February 16), is visiting as president of
    Y Care International, which he founded 20 years ago and is
    the YMCA's development agency.

    He stated that while Y Care was not a political
    organization, there needs to be a political solution to the
    problem of the Palestinian refugees. He also called for
    renewed energy to solve the problems of the Middle East.

    Speaking at the camp, Waite said, "Do not let anger
    destroy you. Maintain a passion for peace. And maintain a
    vision for your children. So that they may have the
    opportunity to live in peace and harmony with their
    neighbours."
    Waite was kidnapped for five years in Lebanon in 1987,
    four of which were in solitary confinement. He claimed upon
    his arrival at the Beirut International Airport at the time
    that "he comes in good faith". He was attempting to
    negotiate the release of hostages when he was kidnapped by
    Hizbullah and released in 1991.

    After his release, Waite never stopped working as a
    diplomat and for humanitarian causes. He is a renowned
    figure of peace, and his work includes inter-cultural
    relations and conflict resolution. He also successfully
    negotiated the release of hostages from Libya and Iran.

    Waite plans to visit Gaza and East Jerusalem on
    Thursday (February 19).










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