We have seen the statement this afternoon declaring a freeze of the sentence issued earlier against hostage Joseph Cicippio. We regard this as an encouraging and hopeful development, but it still does not answer our continuing concern for release of all hostages. We urge that all parties in the region use whatever influence they have to end the tragedy of hostage taking and to release those remaining in captivity. And we express our appreciation to all those who have been thus far trying to help.
Note: Joseph J. Cicippio, acting comptroller at the American University of Beirut, was abducted from the campus on September 12, 1986.
George Bush, Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on Hostage Joseph J. Cicippio Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/263304