1.
GV ZOOM IN TO LV: hijacked aircraft on tarmac.
0.06

2.
GV: security troops around perimeter of airport (2 shots)
0.14

3.
LV: hijacked aircraft
0.19

4.
GV: other aircraft PAN TO airport building.
0.26

5.
SV: German negotiator Hans Juergen Wischnewski down aircraft steps with Arab officials.
0.45

6.
GV ZOOM IN TO CU: control tower
0.48

7.
SV PAN: people in control tower.
0.56

8.
CU: UAE Chief Negotiator Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashed al-Matum speaking to hijackers over microphone.
1.18

9.
LV ZOOM IN: hijacked plane.
1.23



Initials RH/2145



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The hijackers of a West German airliner, now on the ground at Dubai airport, have been promised fuel for the aircraft in exchange for some of their 90 hostages - several of whom are believed to be ill.

SYNOPSIS: The fuel for hostage deal was announced early Saturday morning (15 October) as the Lufthansa Boeing 737 jet, surrounded by troops, stood isolated at the end of a runway at Dubai airport. The fuel would be just enough to keep generators and air conditioning units functioning on the aircraft while negotiations for the release of the rest of the hostages continue.

Hans Juergen Wischnewski, a top aids of West German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt, arrived at Dubai airport early on Saturday morning (15 October). The hijackers have threatened to blow up the jet with all the hostages aboard unless 11 German and two Palestinian terrorists held in Turkey are released. They are also demanding 15 million U.S. dollars in ransom and an airliner to fly them to Vietnam, Somalia or South Yemen.

United Arab Emirates Defence Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashed al-Matum has been leading the negotiations with the hijackers since the plane landed at Dubai airport early Friday morning. He has been in constant contact with the four hijackers by radio from the control tower at the airport. He has also been holding frequent consultations with a West German delegation headed by Mr. Wischnewski.