New Iraqi TV Show Presents Life of ‘Guests’

WASHINGTON — Iraqi television today debuted a slick new television program called Guests News, featuring foreign hostages playing pool, sharing their thoughts on peace and wishing relatives happy birthday.

The program--excerpts of which were fed to U.S. networks--has snappy Western music and colorful graphics, including an Iraqi flag that spins across the closing credits.

Hostages featured in the edited program said in interviews in English that they were being well-treated and well-fed despite the economic embargo that has slowed supplies to Iraq. It was not known under what circumstances the hostages made the comments or what comments were edited out by Iraqi authorities.

Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, who calls the foreign nationals detained in Iraq and Kuwait his “guests,” has said they will stay at key economic and military sites as a shield against attack by Western and Asian forces gathered in the Persian Gulf.

“We are very well-treated. The food is OK. We have sporting facilities as well,” a young German named Greg said in English. He said he hoped other “foreign guests” in Iraq were being treated as well.

“Hope you had a nice birthday, Dad,” he said in closing.