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In
hostage situations, where a decision to negotiate is
itself controversial, selling a agreement to one's constituents
is often as difficult as selling it to the other side.
Mindful
of this obstacle, HNP drafted possible statements that
the Iranian and the US governments could make to their
citizens after reaching an agreement.
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Possible
Iranian Statement
During the past year, Iran has asked from the United
States nothing more than that to which in our view Iran
is entitled under international law, morality, custom,
and the right of self-determination.
- We wanted the world to be aware of the grievances
which Iran suffered from more than 25 years under
Mohammed Reza, who was actively supported by the United
States Government;
- We insisted that the Shah not be free to live abroad
in luxury while the Iranian people suffered from the
results of his reign;
- We demanded that the United States Government fully
accept the Iranian revolution;
- We demanded a firm commitment from the United States
Government never again to intervene in our internal
affairs;
- We demanded an end to economic warfare against the
Iranian people;
- We demanded assurance that no more punitive action
would be taken against Iran by the United States;
- We insisted that the United States cooperate in
helping locate public funds wrongfully removed from
Iran by the ex-Shah;
- We demanded that the 'nest of spies' -- the U.S.
Embassy compound from which CIA aided the Shah --
be closed and that future diplomatic facilities be
established only by agreement with the Islamic Republic
of Iran.
On all these points we have now succeeded. The ex-Shah
has gone to face a judgment far more severe than any
we could impose upon him. The United States has now
accepted all the above demands. The U.S. hostages no
longer serve any useful purpose here, and they are accordingly
being returned to their families.
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Possible
U.S. Statement
I am pleased to announce that all American
hostages held in Iran since last November have now
left Iran and are on their way home to the United
States.
The release of the hostages constitutes a great success
for the principled steadfastness of the American people
and of the hostages themselves. In connection with
their release I would like to make three major points:
- We paid no blackmail. The American people
have shown that they will not be coerced. We refused
to turn over the Shah; we refused to pay ransom of
any kind. Iran is receiving no more than that to which
they would have been entitled under our own interpretation
of international law if they had not taken the hostages.
- Iran has been punished. As the result of
measures taken by the United States and other countries,
Iran's economy is in a disastrous state. Its international
prestige has never been lower. Domestically the government
is beset by infighting and disarray. Thus, Iran has
paid a high price for its outrageous action. In return,
they have gotten nothing that they could not otherwise
have obtained much sooner.
- The stability of the region is more important
than further punishment of Iran. Although Iran
may deserve still more punishment, we must give higher
priority to the United States' long term security
interests in that part of the world. Ending our dispute
with Iran will strengthen the independence and security
of all the peoples of the Gulf region and reduce the
risk of Soviet intervention. While we must not forget
the past -- the courageous steadfastness of the hostages
and the bravery of those who gave their lives trying
to rescue them -- we need now to look to the future.
Accordingly, the Government of Iran has been informed
that the official policy of the United States toward
Iran shall be as follows, effective immediately:
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