Wives Seek Clinton’s Help

The wives of two American prisoners appealed Saturday to President Clinton to intervene personally to win their husbands’ freedom, voicing frustration with Washington’s efforts so far.

The women, who went to Baghdad nine days ago, have received no indication that Iraq will free William Barloon, 39, and David Daliberti, 41.

Their husbands were arrested March 13 after crossing into Iraq from Kuwait, where they were working for U.S. defense contractors. The two were sentenced to eight years in prison despite their insistence they had crossed the border by mistake.

“Mr. Clinton, … what are you doing; what you have done?” Linda Barloon asked in a CNN interview.

“I am asking you directly to take action. … How long are you going to allow this to continue?”

The Iraqi government, which has barred most media from reporting on the wives’ visit, did not object to the CNN interview. It was held at the Information Ministry.

Linda Barloon said she was speaking on behalf of both prisoners as well as Daliberti’s wife, Kathy.