‘I’m Born Again,’ Freed Hostage Says in Greeting His Wife
DAMASCUS, Syria — Freed West German hostage Rudolf Cordes was reunited with his tearful wife, Marlene, today after she flew from Bonn with senior government officials to take him home. Cordes said he felt “born again†after 20 months in captivity.
Hugging his tearful wife tightly, Cordes was escorted by Syrian security officers to the Foreign Ministry in Damascus at 5 p.m. and turned over to West German government envoys by Foreign Minister Farouk Shareh.
“I’m rejoicing for being a free man again. I feel I’m born again,†Cordes said. “It is as if I have been granted a new life. I am feeling perfect, and I’m in a very good shape.â€
Earlier, Cordes and his wife fell into each other’s arms and kissed for a long time in an emotional reunion at the government guest house where he spent the night after his release.
Cordes released, Page 5.
FO Rudolf Cordes is reunited with his wife, Marlene, at the Syrian Foreign Ministry after his release.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
