IRAQ SAYS AMERICANS MUST SERVE FULL TERM

Iraq Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan told a state newspaper that the government is not considering a release oftwo Americans imprisoned in Baghdadfor illegally crossing the Kuwait border. Secretary of State Warren Christopher today demanded their release, holding President Saddam Hussein responsible for their safety. Ramadan corrected a statement by a member of parliament who indicated over the weekend that the Americans could be released shortly.TIME Middle East bureau chief Dean Fischersays Hussein controls the fate of the prisoners. "The courts count for nothing, the Parliament counts for nothing and the vice president counts for nothing," says Fischer.