Anglican envoy Terry Waite emerged from nearly five years of captivity, chained to a wall by his Shiite Muslim kidnapers, with his smiling, gentle nature intact. The 52-year-old Waite was released on November 18 along with Thomas Sutherland, 60, one of the hostages whose freedom Waite was seeking when taken in January 1987.

Appearing before reporters just after their release, the two were able to joke about their misfortunes. Sutherland, who was held for about six-and-a-half years, said he never would have made it through his ordeal without the company of Waite.

Waite reported that his kidnapers said the three remaining American hostages would be released by the end of November.

Have something to add about this? See something we missed? Share your feedback here.

Our digital archives are a work in progress. Let us know if corrections need to be made.

Tags:
Issue: