United Nations headquarters found out through an African-based journalist who got a tip about a hostage release.

For the next few weeks, the two sides negotiated a hostage release.

His statements coincided with reports from Iran and elsewhere that more hostage releases are likely by the end of next week.

As the slow process of hostage release continued, it was clear that the Serbs had won a political victory.

It was the largest hostage release since the rebels freed 225 people last Sunday.

If any installment did not result in a hostage release, all deliveries would stop.

"The hostage release came too soon to give Chirac a surge, and now opinion is focused on how much he paid to get them freed."

"This has nothing to do with the hostage releases," a State Department official said.

United States officials were making some preparations for a hostage release, however, while taking a cautious tone in public.

Sick says he dismissed the allegations at first, but thought the timing of the hostage release 30 minutes after Reagan took office "was peculiar."