Family recovering after hostage ordeal

South African military attache Colonel E. G. 'Mac' Alexander yesterday told Taiwan officials from his hospital bed he was recovering and felt fine.

Colonel Alexander, wounded in a struggle with Chen Chin-hsing at his Taipei home, declined to comment in detail. Friends said he was tired.

Doctors said his daughter Melanie, 22, also recovering from bullet wounds, could start eating again yesterday.

Anne Alexander, the last hostage to be freed, was resting with her husband and daughter at the hospital.

The youngest daughter Christine, 12, was seen cheerfully strolling through the hospital on a visit. She said: 'I am very happy to be reunited with my family.' Christine, who had chosen to stay with her mother as Chen's last two hostages, admitted: 'I was scared of him and his guns.' The Alexanders' other child, seven-month-old Zachary, was freed unharmed before Chen surrendered.

Doctors said the Alexanders could be discharged in about 10 days. It was not clear if the family would return to their home in Peitou district, which was sprayed with bullets.