Hostages may be freed on Christmas, paper says

A leftist newspaper, quoting informed Iranian sources, said the American hostages may be released on Christmas as a result of a compromise over the late shah's wealth. Informed sources in Tehran also said that they believed officials were "busy putting the final touches" on the possible release of the captives. they said several meetings had been held on the hostages, including a discussion Wednesday between Prime Minister Muhammad Ali Rajai and Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. The sources quoted by the As Safir newspaper said a compromise on the return of the late Shah's fortune to iran paved the way for the release.