New York Times- State Dept. Briefs Hostages' Families, Dec 14, 1980

State Dept. Briefs Hostages' Families/State Dept. Briefs Hostages' Kin; Lack of News Makes it Tougher- Report on the family meeting who's prupose it to bring the families together who live outside of Washington, D.C. who don't have access to the daily briefings.  Some families feel the meetings are condescending and they don't learn anything new. Some families have not had word from hostages since April and there are varied reports of living conditions in letter which have reached hostage family members. Warren Christopher states negitiations are continuing but are hampered by language problems. 

On the continuation page of the above article there is 'Tehran Aid Says U.S. Response on Hostages Is 'Basically Positive''- Ahamad Azizi reports talked with Algerian intermediaries is going well. Carter recieved word from the Algerians that things looked hopeful, but there has been hopefull signs in the past. Iranian Parliment condtions for release are: no United states interferance in Iran's external affairs, unfreezing of Iranian Assets in American banks, all lawsuits be dropped and the late Shah's money be returned to Iran. The Iranians would be sending a message soon with ways in which the hostage crisis might be resolved. Clergymen will be visiting Iran but will not meet with Prime Minister Rajai. Rejected claims the hostages would be released on Christmas.