Hello, everyone!
After a few months of probing my deck lid with J hooks and screwdrivers, I finally got it open with the aid of an endoscope and a good screwdriver, My latch mechanism had a "double whammy", with a broken pivot and a broken emergency release lever. I was able to repair the pivot with a metal core, and would show a photo of it, but the pics don't reveal much of the repair features. I can supply details to anyone who PMs me, though.
Replacement of the emergency release lever was easy, and the accompanying photo shows everything. The lever itself is 5/16 inch thick aluminum, and a metal hub and hardware secure it in place. The lever mates with the original cable and fitting that link it to the 'glow in the dark' release handle. I also added a cable that is accessible in the LH license light mounting hole, to provide rapid opening of the trunk if the pivot fails again. Here's a pic of the release lever - I don't think this one will fail!



Thanks to all who have contributed to this thread and facilitated my repair of the deck lid latch!

/Rich