British Ambassador Geoffrey Jackson was freed late on Thursday (9 September) night in a Montevideo suburb eight months after he was kidnapped by Tupamaros guerrillas. He was found by a priest in front of a church, which the Tupamaros had instructed him to enter immediately after they released him.

A medical examination in the British Hospital later showed the Ambassador to be fit and well, although tired. Mr. Jackson then went to the British Embassy residence, where he slept in his own bed for the first time in eight months.

On Friday, prior to taking off from Montevideo to be rejoined with his wife in London, Mr. Jackson appeared briefly for the Press.

SYNOPSIS: British Ambassador Geoffrey Jackson appeared before the Press in Montevideo on Friday after his release late the previous night by Tupamaros guerrillas. The 56 year old Ambassador had been in captivity for eight months. After a thorough medical examinations--which pronounced him fit and well--and a night's sleep in the British Embassy Residence, Mr. Jackson prepared to return to London to be reunited with his wife.

Mr. Jackson was released outside a church in a Montevideo suburb. The Tupamaros guerrillas instructed him to enter the church as soon as they were clear of the area. The priest who saw the Ambassador immediately recognised him, and gave him Holy Communion after telephoning the Police and the British Embassy. At the same time, a telephone call to the Embassy from a girl member of the Tupamaros told officials where to find him. The Embassy staff had been on continual duty since the possibility of the release had been forecast earlier.