Mr. LIMAN: Did there come a time when you received a call from an Israeli representative telling you that as a result, an American hostage would be allowed to go free?

Mr. McFARLANE: Yes.

Mr. LIMAN: Was that a very unpleasant call?

Mr. McFARLANE: Well, it was extremely disappointing.

Mr. LIMAN: Tell us about the call.

Mr. McFARLANE: Well, it was the report from Mr. Kimche in Israel that, as a practical matter, they had run into difficulties with the Iranian intermediaries, that nonetheless, he believed that while his expectations that all hostages would be released had not been fulfilled, or would not be fulfilled, that we ought to continue the dialogue with them anyway, and that the United States could expect one hostage to be released within a couple of days. His call must have been on or about the 10th to 12th of September.

Mr. LIMAN: Were you asked to play God and choose one hostage?

Mr. McFARLANE: Yes. And I asked for Mr. Buckley.

Mr. LIMAN: And that was the subject of some anguish to be put in the position of having to choose?

Mr. McFARLANE: Yes.

Mr. LIMAN: And it brought home to you, I take it, what it really meant to be negotiating for hostages?

Mr. McFARLANE: Well, it was very clear that this was not a-the kind of exchange that was proper.

Mr. LIMAN: And did you report to the President that as a result of the Israeli shipment, a hostage would be released?

Mr. McFARLANE: Yes, I did.