DATE=4-1-02

TYPE=English Feature

NUMBER=7-36125

TITLE=SNAPSHOT #15: Released Hostage Loves VOA

BYLINE=Sarah H. Long

TELEPHONE=401-7429

DATELINE=Washington

EDITOR=Al Pessin

CONTENT=

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ANNCR: Now a VOA Snapshot remembering our past as we look to the future in this, our 60th Anniversary Year.

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HOST: Radio is a personal medium. A broadcaster is as close to you as your radio, even if the broadcaster is half a world away. For radio personalities, the finest moments come when they know they've touched the heart of a listener far away.

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"Welcome to a special edition of the Magazine Show on VOA…"

HOST: VOA's Barbara Klein had such a special moment in 1991:

CUT 2: KLEIN :09

"I am sure that I could call him anytime and he would receive me warmly."

HOST: Barbara is talking about professor Thomas Sutherland, an American who had been held hostage in Beirut for six-and-a-half years. For part of that time, he was allowed to listen to the radio, where he found VOA, and Barbara Klein. Shortly after his release, Mr. Sutherland called Barbara.

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CUT 3: KLEIN :15

"It was the Friday after Thanksgiving and the phone rang and I remember picking it up and I recognized the voice, and I said, 'Who is this?' and he said, 'Thomas Sutherland.'"

HOST: A month later, Mr. Sutherland was a guest on the Magazine Show.

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"It's my pleasure to be here after listening to VOA for about two-and-a-half years and particularly to your Magazine Show. I don't think I can tell you how nice that was to hear so many things about America.

CUT 5: KLEIN :12

"To actually hear from someone and find out that somehow the work that you've been doing made a difference in their lives was just overwhelming. It gave me a great boost to keep on, to keep on working, I guess (laughter)."

HOST: Barbara Klein and Thomas Sutherland stayed in touch for many years. I'm __________.

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ANNCR: Listen for VOA Snapshots throughout our 60th anniversary year, here on VOA.

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OPTIONAL LIVE TAG: To write to us about our anniversary, send an email to anniversary@voanews.com. Or, send regular mail to Anniversary, VOA News Now, Washington, D.C. 20237, USA.