Americans held in 1979 Iranian crisis offer Loneys support

The Canadian Press is reporting tonight that three Americans held for 444 days during the Iranian hostage crisis in 1979 have offered support and prayer to James Loney and three other peace activists facing execution in Iraq.

Ken Taylor, Canada's ambassador to Iran at the time, won a congressional medal of honour for helping to smuggle six American captives out of the U.S embassy in Tehran, and Canada basked in the glow of American favour for many months afterward.

"I have a real passion for Canada - how can I ever forget what you did for us?" said Bruce Laingen, now 83 and now president of the American Academy of Diplomacy in Washington.

To read tonight's Canadian Press coverage, please click here.