13, ADDISON ROAD LONDON W14 8DJ 01-602 1402 23rd February, 1980. My Dear Louisa I must be the very last person to know about the hell you and Mike are going through = though of course I have been feeling the agony of each and every hostage without realizing that Mike was one of them. Since I heard the news from George about three weeks ago, I have been hoping each day to be able to write a 'thank-God-He's-out' letter. Sadly, the weeks have gone by and only the efforts and works of so many for his release must support you in your trial. I hear from all sides that you have been a tower of strength to the other wives and families and I can well imagine it. How are the children - and how are they coping? I just wish you every support possible and all your hopes will be realized very soon. It's incredible how the shock waves from the hostage taking have rippled out and effected the entire World. My own children have been much more fearful of a World war and they were pessimistic enough before they are now aged 20 and 18. The little ones, thank God, don't think too much yet. If only one didn8t have to oneself! It is sad that we have lost touch. I had banked on seeing you in Beirut and relaxed contact in that hope. Unfortunately for both of us, circumstances prevented us. Since the Syrian bombardments on our area in Beirut, we have been more or less based in London. George comes and goes and we try to get back to Beirut whenever we can. It isn't a very happy arrangement, as we would both so love to be together in one place. However, the situation is so shakey [sic] that we felt we had to allow the children to have two clear years of schooling as they had suffered so many changes during the earlier part of 'Les Evenements' as they are so delightfully called. We hope to go to Beirut for Easter, but George is not yet very sure if the situation is 'clean' enough. Frankly, we never know when things are going to blow - they always can flare up at any given moment. The bomb they blew Gemayel's car up on Saturday went off just outside our house - blowing all our windows and doors out (for the fifth time), but fortunately not hurting anyone in the house. George was at the office at the time. It all seems endless. I am sending this off c/o the State Dept. as I can't think of anything better, having no faith in the very old addresses I have for you. Please accept these very inadequate words of sympathy that I have thrown together to try to caryy to you our very real and deep feelings of sympathy and support for your pain and waitings and wonderings - and for those, of course, who wait and wonder with you - first and foremost for Mike. If ever you have a moment, let us know where you are - meanwhile we'll be thinking of you and praying for you. hill Much love Sasha P.S. We moved in Octotober from our old Landar address of 42 Hyde PK Square. (unknown word) the typing but you'll remember Law awhile My (unknown word) is be thankful!