Relatives Wait in Vain for Ex-Hostages

Relatives of two San Fernando Valley-area couples released from the TWA plane being held by Arab terrorists watched at Los Angeles International Airport on Monday night as passengers disembarked--all but the anxiously awaited ex-hostages.

Both couples, William and Almeda Berry of Burbank and Theophilos and Elizabeth Tartas of Thousand Oaks, remained in Paris when they were expected to be hugging family and friends in Los Angeles. TWA officials say they will come home Wednesday. “I’m very very upset,” said Al Smith, Almeda Berry’s brother.

Elizabeth Tartas was recovering slowly from the terror of the hijacking and her husband wanted to give her an extra day before putting her on another plane.

“She was very nervous and upset after what happened and he wants to make sure she’s rested,” said Mary Piggott, Theophilos Tartas’ sister. With the help of TWA, she located her brother in a Paris hotel and phoned him from the airport.