* John Lyttle; Archbishop’s Aide Sought Release of Terry Waite

John Lyttle, 58, the archbishop of Canterbury’s public affairs secretary and a leader in efforts to free hostage Terry Waite. Lyttle took his post as press aide to the Most Rev. Robert Runcie the day after Waite disappeared in Beirut in January, 1987, while trying to negotiate the release of Western hostages. Waite, a church envoy, and the other 12 Western hostages in Lebanon are believed held by pro-Iranian extremists. Runcie retired and was succeeded by the Most Rev. George Carey on March 27. Lyttle once estimated that 60% of his time was spent on missions abroad, clandestine contacts with informants and meetings with politicians and diplomats on behalf of Waite. In London on Friday of unreported causes.