Oklahoma City Times (Oklahoma City, Okla.), Vol. 91, No. 41, Ed. 1 Tuesday, April 8, 1980 Page: 4 of 28
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: The Oklahoma City Times and was provided to The Gateway to Oklahoma History by the Oklahoma Historical Society.
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OKLAHOMA CITY TIMES
Pentagon frets
about options
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ic and trade sanctions
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Although Iranian leaders have
condemned both the United States
and the Soviet Union, some Ameri-
The four steps Carter outlined:
— A formal end to diplomatic relations. The Ira-
nian diplomatic staff in the United States, re-
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Specifically, he said, the United States wants
the allies to "join us in taking some of the steps, at
least" that Carter took Monday, especially in the
economic area. He said he looks for good coopera-
tion from them in the coming weeks.
Officials said 35 diplomats at the
Iranian Embassy in Washington and
consulates in Chicago, New York,
San Francisco and Houston, as well
as their families and staffs, were af-
fected by the eviction notice. The
embassy and the consulates also re-
mained under guard after being
shut down Monday.
Scores of city police, FBI agents
and uniformed Secret Service offi-
cers continued today to block off a
half-mile stretch of busy Massachu-
setts Avenue around the embassy
and escorted diplomats through
barricades to embassies neighbor-
ing the Iranian Embassy.
Reporters and photographers
were kept three blocks from the em-
bassy, an ornate building that dur-
ing the reign of the deposed shah
was the scene of some of the capi-
tal's most glittering parties.
The few persons who appeared to
come out of the embassy were ac-
companied by FBI agents out of the
area.
A government source who asked
But Defense Secretary Harold
Brown, asked about the possible
consequences of military action,
said, "I think one drawback is the
possibility of bodily harm to the
hostages."
He added, “I consider that a real
drawback."
families of the American hostages — and some
surprisingly strong support from Congress.
“It’s about time we tried to get their attention
some way," said Robert Hohman, father of Sgt.
Donald R. Hohman of West Sacramento, Calif.
“The president is right. He has to do it."
There was a similar and bipartisan reaction
from the Senate.
can analysts believe the Iranians, if
threatened, might turn to Moscow
for help.
Administration decision-makers
also would have to consider the pos-
sibility that Russia might act on its
own if the United States moved mili-
tarily against neighboring Iran, or
if the U.S. Navy clamped a Persian
Gulf naval blockade on Iran.
WASHINGTON (AP) - FBI
agents kept watch today over Irani-
an diplomats in the United States to
make sure they obey President
Carter's order to leave the country
by midnight tonight.
The State Department placed
precise limits on travel for the 35
diplomats affected by Monday’s ex-
pulsion order, allowing them to
travel no more than two miles from
home or work.
The around-the-clock surveillance
was aimed at avoiding a repetition
of the episode last December when
108 Iranian diplomats disappeared
after Carter told Iran to reduce its
ranks in the United States.
“We have taken precautions to
take care of that problem" this
time, said Justice Department
spokesman John Russell.
Carter broke diplomatic relations
with Iran on Monday and ordered
Iran's diplomats to leave the coun-
try in retaliation for 53 Americans
Several of the questions that .
would be raised by a naval blockade J
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The move most frequently men-
tioned in speculation about possible
American military action against
Iran has been a Persian Gulf naval
blockade.
employee Richard C. Clemmons
said he got a “friendly reception"
when he accompanied two FB
agents and two federal marshals to
the consulate to deliver the expul-
sion order.
Ali Agah, Iran's charge d’affaires
was visibly angry after being called
to the State Department and told of
Carter's decision to break diplomat-
ic relations. t
Agah charged that a State De
partment official had insulted an
aide who had accompanied him to
the meeting.
He said Henry Precht, the head of
the State Department’s Iranian
desk, tried to “demean and de-
grade” Agah's associate.
State Department officials re
fused to comment on the matter.
However, Precht told The Wash-
ington Post he uttered an expletive
— "bull--when the Iranian aide,
Mohammed Lavassini, insisted that
the Tehran government was provid-
ing protection to the hostages.
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Brown's remarks at a Los Angeles
news conference came about the
same time Monday that President
Carter was announcing new sanc-
tions against Iran, including a cut-
off of diplomatic relations and elim-
inating virtually all remaining
trade between the two countries.
The defense secretary also said
administration officials "have nev-
er ruled out permanently going be-
yond (diplomatic and economic) ac-
tions, but have concluded that the
diplomatic and economic courses
are the right courses to pursue
now."
not to be identified said several
agents were assigned to each diplo-
mat
"There is no indication of any;
thing other than compliance," the
source said, adding that the FBI has
been instructed to “do what is ne
essary to ensure compliance” i
there is any resistance.
Iranian students and other Irani
ans holding valid visas are not af-
fected unless they now are outside
the country, State Department
spokesman Anita Stockman said.
If they try to return, “their appli-
cations will be screened, and they
will be refused unless there are ex
tenuating circumstances or they
are of benefit to this country,” the
spokesman said. 1
No violence or threats from the
Iranians were reported as the offic-
es were closed, although police
sealed off four blocks around the
embassy in Washington on Monday
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June 1, Braniff introduces Business Class-Transpacific.
This summer, our Special Performance jets across the Pacific will
have something special in store for the business traveler. Business Class. It’s
a separate section of the airplane between First Class and Economy. With a
special fare that’s in between, too. It’s a place where the cocktails and wine
are on us — where you can relax with free movies and stereo. Whenever
possible, the leather seats are assigned so that the one next to you is empty.
Plus, you’ll have First Class check-in where available and First Class luggage
allowance.
So the next time you’re going to the Pacific and Far East, ask
Braniff to put you in a class of your own — Business Class.
For reservations and information call your Travel Agent or Braniff in
Oklahoma City at 235-8531.
Braniff Promise *8: We promise to fly airplanes you can depend on.
to “see how the message (from Cart-
held hostage in Tehran since Nov. 4. ‘ er) was received."
At Houston, State Department
WASHINGTON (AP) - Although
the White House is hinting anew
that force still might be used to
break the stalemate with Iran, Pen-
tagon officials fear any such move
could lead to injury or death for the
50 Americans held hostage in Teh-
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free the hostages, but rejected the United States, is part of
idea because it “just wasn’t feasi- the package of econom-
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Later, a White House official
briefing reporters, noted Carter’s
warning that “other actions may be
necessary." This official, who re-
quested anonymity, said such un-
specified actions could include the
use of force if the hostages are not
released promptly.
Pentagon officials feel that anoth-
er possible result of an American
military move could be a Soviet
countermove.
FBI agents watch
Iranian diplomats
Braniff introduces
all 747SPs to
the Pacific and
Far East.
Hong Kong-Guam • Seoul ’Singapore • Honolulu
Starting April 27, Braniff will have the only all 747SP fleet to the
Pacific and Far East from Los Angeles. These Special Performance 747s are
designed to fly faster and farther than any other jumbo jets —7,200 miles
non-stop.
And Braniff’s 747SPs are special inside, too. They’re luxuriously
decorated with comfortable, leather seats throughout the entire airplane.
That’s one feature that really makes time fly on a long distance flight.
Carter’s get-tough talk
draws qualified support
WASHINGTON (AP) — With FBI agents shad- Morning, America” program, also said “We'll be
owing Iranian diplomats to make sure they leave looking to our allies for cooperation in helping to
the country, President Carter's toughened stance make these steps effective.”
against Iran is drawing cautious reaction from
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carry the potential of an armed
clash with the Soviet Union.
For example, would the United
States attempt to block the en-
trance to the Persian Gulf, through
which Soviet ships operate? Would a
blockade be selective, permitting -oum
some ships to pass through while .
barring others that might be bound
to or from Iran?
Webetterbebetter. "
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Mainland U S.A. Hawn The Pactfic, Mexco, South America,
Britain, Europe, Asia.
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What effect would a blockade A federal agent monitors movement at the Iranian embassy in Washington,
have on Saudi Arabia, a pivotal
American friend in the Persian Gulf
area? And how would such a block- ry 1 IC C • 1 •
funds eyed for families
vtnasVmttenastaasasnbas.2s.maval WASHTNGTON(aP) President Carter an have surrersd a,os8 at
within reach of the Persian Gulf. “ Families of the 50 nounced Monday. the hands of the Tehran
Americans held hos- government.
The Soviet Union also has 25 ships tage in Tehran may be What the president
in the area, although fewer of them compensated for finan- hopes to do, said the of- The second step, the
are combat vessels. cial and emotional suf- ficial, who requested official said, would re-
fering by Iran under a anonymity, is to make quire congressional
, An American military option has claims process begun the families eligible for legislation to set up a
lurked in the background through- by the Carter adminis- some of the estimated settlement procedure
out the five-month crisis which be- tration. $8 billion in assets fro- under the Foreign
gan with the seizure of the U.S. em- But a Treasury De- zen Nov. 14. Claims Settlement Act.
bassy by Moslem militants. Indeed, partment officiai said
military staffs have studied a range the procedure is long First, said the offi- But the official
of possible armed options, as they and complex and cial, a “census” will be warned that “we are
doinall crisis situations. , , warned it is “too early conducted by May 15 of just starting down that
There have been discussions, for to predict” whether any the Iranian assets and road" and that adjudi-
instance, of a possible seizure by payments actually will of claims made by U.S. eating the claims —
U.S. forces of Kharg Island, where be made. Citizens add corpora- and paying out money
tankers load Iranian oil. The procedure, which tions who allege they - could take years.
And Air Force Secretary Hans could wind up in claim-
Mark said last week the United ants getting part of the
States had considered landing a hel- value of Iranian gov-
icopter at the embassy compound to ernment assets in the
. ^‘0
Sen. George McGovern, the anti-war Democrat- duced to 35 in December, was ordered to leave the
ic presidential candidate of 1972 and a frequent country by midnight tonight. To insure that none
critic of the Carter administration, said Carter evaded the order, Carter ordered the FBI to seal
should be planning for a naval blockade or even off Iran’s embassy in Washington and its consu-
selective air strikes if the hostages aren’t re- lates in Chicago, San Francisco, Houston and New
leased. York. Agents were assigned to tail the 35 regis-
tered diplomats until they left the country.
It was a grim-aced president who went on live
television Monday afternooon to say he was com- _ a complete trade embargo, except for food
mitted both to the release of the hostages and to and medicine. However, Carter noted that as a
"the preservation of American honor." practical matter even food and medical ship-
“Other actions may become necessary if these ments would be skimpy at best. Trade between the
steps do not produce the prompt release of the twocountries,oncemeasurred in billions of dollars
hostages " Carter said annually, has diminished to a relative trickle be-
K ’ cause of the president’s previous freeze on Iranian
Neither the president nor his aides would define assets and prohibition on oil imports.
“prompt,” but officials said Carter does not feel
obliged to await the convening of Iran’s new legis- — The beginning of a process that could allow
lature, the group Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini the hostages, their families and American busi-
has said should decide what to do with the hos- nesses to claim some of the $8 billion in frozen
tages. Iranian assets in the United States.
The deeision to break diplomatie relations and _ invalidation of all visas held by Iranians for
embargo trade was made Monday morning after future travel to the United States. The order will
Khomeini refused to allow transfer of the 50 not immediately affect Iranians now in the United
Americans from their student captors to govern- states on valid visas, officials said. They did not
moot control. explain what would happen to those Iranians as
Khomeini defied the new sanctions today, and their permits to be in the United States expire.
Iranian Foreign Min!ster Sadegh Ghottaadeh said - Technleally, a visa merely authorizes a vis-
they will not alter Iran s position on the captives. tor to appear Ala U.S. Immigration Service office
Khomeini said breaking relatipns was "the one and apply for entry. The immigration office then
thing in all his life Carter has done in the interests decides whether to grant admission and for how
of the oppressed” because it marked an end to ties long. For example, a person entering as a tourist
between "a risen country and a world devouring might have permission to stay 60 days. The same
plunderer " person might leave the country and return a few
months later — still on the same visa — and be
“This is the beginning of the dawn of final vieto- granted permission a longer stay; or not be ai-
ry of a nation against the bloodthirsty superpower lowed back in at all.
which was forced to cut relations," the ayatollah
said, and now the United States will be forced to While the large majority of the hostage families
“end its pillaging” in Iran. contacted expressed support for Carter’s action,
there was no unanimity.
White House officials said Carter’s action will
send a clear message to Iran and the rest of the “Jimmy Carter’s ent of his mind if he thinks
world that American patience is exhausted. Brief- that’s going to improve anything,” said Alan
ing reporters under ground rufs that barred their Graves, son of John E Graves, 52, the embassy's
identification by name, the officials carefully re- public affairs officer. “The way he's going right
fused to rule out military force when asked about no*, the next step is war.
the “other actions” the president warned “may be- A more typicaj response came trom Louisa Ken-
come necessary. nedy, whose husband, Moorhead, is the embassy’s
Deputy Seeretary of State Warren Christepher economic and commercial officer.
said today the United States would wait to see umhe president is doing the right thing and its
what ettect Carters actions.have hadbetoreda good fastarteri," she “,d Wre not ure how
fiding whether additionai Sepe He SAK strong these measures are. A lot of this is still
no deadline has been set. undefined. It’s going to shake down in the next few
Christopher, interviewed on ABC-TVs “Good days.”
4 Tuesday, April 8, 1980
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Standard, Jim. Oklahoma City Times (Oklahoma City, Okla.), Vol. 91, No. 41, Ed. 1 Tuesday, April 8, 1980, newspaper, April 8, 1980; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc1846932/m1/4/?q=j+w+gardner: accessed July 4, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.