UN panel can't see hostages, militants say

Militants holding the US embassy in Tehran have sent a message to UN commission members telling them they will not be allowed to see the 50 American hostages, Tehran Radio said Tuesday. The statement said the job of the UN panel is to investigate "the crimes of the Shah and crimes committed by the United States against Iran" and has nothing to do with the hostages, the broadcast said.

The militants' statement apeared to be a reversal of their position.