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Lingering Power of Hostage Crisis Short-Circuits Iranian Nominee Lingering Power of Hostage Crisis Short-Circuits Iranian Nominee
(5 months later)
PARIS — When Iranian militants seized the United States Embassy and took dozens of Americans hostage on an overcast Sunday morning in November 1979, I assumed it was just a brief anti-American sit-in. My main concern, I told my editors at Newsweek, was not how dangerous Tehran would be. It was whether it would still be a story by the time I arrived there from Paris the next day. PARIS — When Iranian militants seized the United States Embassy and took dozens of Americans hostage on an overcast Sunday morning in November 1979, I assumed it was just a brief anti-American sit-in. My main concern, I told my editors at Newsweek, was not how dangerous Tehran would be. It was whether it would still be a story by the time I arrived there from Paris the next day.
I sure got that wrong. The “Iran hostage crisis,” as we called it, lasted 444 days. And as demonstrated by the powerful opposition in Washington last week to Iran’s choice for its next United Nations ambassador, it is not over.I sure got that wrong. The “Iran hostage crisis,” as we called it, lasted 444 days. And as demonstrated by the powerful opposition in Washington last week to Iran’s choice for its next United Nations ambassador, it is not over.
During the crisis, President Jimmy Carter froze Iran’s assets, broke diplomatic relations, changed his re-election strategy and ordered a failed military rescue mission that left eight American servicemen dead. The hostage ordeal helped get Ronald Reagan elected as president.During the crisis, President Jimmy Carter froze Iran’s assets, broke diplomatic relations, changed his re-election strategy and ordered a failed military rescue mission that left eight American servicemen dead. The hostage ordeal helped get Ronald Reagan elected as president.
Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini defied international law, used the crisis to consolidate the power of his Islamic revolution and branded the United States the “Great Satan.”Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini defied international law, used the crisis to consolidate the power of his Islamic revolution and branded the United States the “Great Satan.”
The crisis was also a historic turning point, the first time — and certainly not the last — that the United States would prove impotent in the face of a revolutionary movement in the Islamic world.The crisis was also a historic turning point, the first time — and certainly not the last — that the United States would prove impotent in the face of a revolutionary movement in the Islamic world.
Nearly 35 years later, many Americans do not remember or have never heard of that dark episode in American diplomatic history. It took the 2012 film “Argo,” which dealt with only one chapter of the crisis, to return it to the American consciousness.Nearly 35 years later, many Americans do not remember or have never heard of that dark episode in American diplomatic history. It took the 2012 film “Argo,” which dealt with only one chapter of the crisis, to return it to the American consciousness.
But politically, the hostage crisis has not been forgotten. It still has the power to traumatize Washington.But politically, the hostage crisis has not been forgotten. It still has the power to traumatize Washington.
The current diplomatic firestorm is the result of Iran’s nomination of Hamid Aboutalebi, a senior political adviser to President Hassan Rouhani, as ambassador to the United Nations. On paper, he is just about perfect: a fluent French and English speaker with a doctorate in sociology from a prestigious Catholic university in Belgium and a former ambassador to Italy, Australia, Belgium and the European Union.The current diplomatic firestorm is the result of Iran’s nomination of Hamid Aboutalebi, a senior political adviser to President Hassan Rouhani, as ambassador to the United Nations. On paper, he is just about perfect: a fluent French and English speaker with a doctorate in sociology from a prestigious Catholic university in Belgium and a former ambassador to Italy, Australia, Belgium and the European Union.
Mr. Aboutalebi admits that he had a bit part in the hostage drama. He was not part of the takeover of the 27-acre embassy compound or even in town when it happened. But the hostage-takers lacked foreign-language skills, and early in the crisis, he agreed to be an interpreter and translator on a small number of occasions. He was 22 at the time.Mr. Aboutalebi admits that he had a bit part in the hostage drama. He was not part of the takeover of the 27-acre embassy compound or even in town when it happened. But the hostage-takers lacked foreign-language skills, and early in the crisis, he agreed to be an interpreter and translator on a small number of occasions. He was 22 at the time.
In an interview in Iran in mid-March, Mr. Aboutalebi said he had been the interpreter for the Vatican’s special representative when he visited the embassy. He added that “one or two other times” he had done translations into English or French, including interpreting at a news conference two weeks into the hostage crisis when the occupiers decided to release 13 hostages.In an interview in Iran in mid-March, Mr. Aboutalebi said he had been the interpreter for the Vatican’s special representative when he visited the embassy. He added that “one or two other times” he had done translations into English or French, including interpreting at a news conference two weeks into the hostage crisis when the occupiers decided to release 13 hostages.
“It was based purely on humanitarian motivations,” Mr. Aboutalebi said of his involvement.“It was based purely on humanitarian motivations,” Mr. Aboutalebi said of his involvement.
There is no evidence that Mr. Aboutalebi served as a regular interpreter or translator or participated in interrogations of the hostages.There is no evidence that Mr. Aboutalebi served as a regular interpreter or translator or participated in interrogations of the hostages.
During the crisis, President Carter called the hostages “victims of terrorism and anarchy.”During the crisis, President Carter called the hostages “victims of terrorism and anarchy.”
So he could be forgiven for seeking vengeance against Iran today. Instead, Mr. Carter has called on the United States to move on. “Those were college students at that time, and I think that they have matured,” he said on a recent radio program, adding, “It would be inappropriate for the United States to try to block someone that Iran wanted to choose.”So he could be forgiven for seeking vengeance against Iran today. Instead, Mr. Carter has called on the United States to move on. “Those were college students at that time, and I think that they have matured,” he said on a recent radio program, adding, “It would be inappropriate for the United States to try to block someone that Iran wanted to choose.”
But saying no to Iran over an ambassadorial choice comes at no political cost in Congress, so it was easy for both houses to vote unanimously to prevent Mr. Aboutalebi from entering the United States. And on Friday, the White House said it would not grant Mr. Aboutalebi a visa, effectively scuttling the nomination.But saying no to Iran over an ambassadorial choice comes at no political cost in Congress, so it was easy for both houses to vote unanimously to prevent Mr. Aboutalebi from entering the United States. And on Friday, the White House said it would not grant Mr. Aboutalebi a visa, effectively scuttling the nomination.
It remains unproved whether Mr. Aboutalebi was “an acknowledged terrorist,” as Senator Ted Cruz, Republican of Texas, who sponsored the Senate bill, branded him, or even a “major conspirator” in the hostage crisis, as Senator Charles E. Schumer, Democrat of New York, called him.It remains unproved whether Mr. Aboutalebi was “an acknowledged terrorist,” as Senator Ted Cruz, Republican of Texas, who sponsored the Senate bill, branded him, or even a “major conspirator” in the hostage crisis, as Senator Charles E. Schumer, Democrat of New York, called him.
What is true is that the hostage crisis was an improvised affair that evolved over time. The leaders of the takeover had, as I had assumed, planned it as a sit-in that would last at most a few days. Even Ayatollah Khomeini’s initial instinct was to liberate the embassy, and it was only when he saw the masses of enthusiastic demonstrators at the front gates that he decided to support the occupation.What is true is that the hostage crisis was an improvised affair that evolved over time. The leaders of the takeover had, as I had assumed, planned it as a sit-in that would last at most a few days. Even Ayatollah Khomeini’s initial instinct was to liberate the embassy, and it was only when he saw the masses of enthusiastic demonstrators at the front gates that he decided to support the occupation.
The demands and threats of the hostage-takers — and Ayatollah Khomeini — quickly escalated. First it was the return of the deposed Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, who had been allowed into the United States for medical treatment, then the return of Iran’s financial assets abroad, including the shah’s personal wealth.The demands and threats of the hostage-takers — and Ayatollah Khomeini — quickly escalated. First it was the return of the deposed Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, who had been allowed into the United States for medical treatment, then the return of Iran’s financial assets abroad, including the shah’s personal wealth.
Positions further hardened early in the crisis, when the occupiers gave journalists copies of documents found in the embassy stating that at least three of the hostages were C.I.A. officers operating under diplomatic cover. Among the documents they handed us was a copy of the C.I.A. station chief’s phony Belgian passport under an assumed name, with instructions on how to use it.Positions further hardened early in the crisis, when the occupiers gave journalists copies of documents found in the embassy stating that at least three of the hostages were C.I.A. officers operating under diplomatic cover. Among the documents they handed us was a copy of the C.I.A. station chief’s phony Belgian passport under an assumed name, with instructions on how to use it.
That was hard evidence for Iran that the embassy was a “den of spies” that justified the occupation and perhaps criminal trials of the hostages as spies.That was hard evidence for Iran that the embassy was a “den of spies” that justified the occupation and perhaps criminal trials of the hostages as spies.
Along the way, some of the hostages would be physically and psychologically mistreated, interrogated, put into solitary confinement and subjected to mock executions.Along the way, some of the hostages would be physically and psychologically mistreated, interrogated, put into solitary confinement and subjected to mock executions.
Iranians of all classes and political persuasions argue that, unlike in other violent acts against Americans in the name of Islam — the Sept. 11 attacks, and bombings in places like Kenya, Iraq and Afghanistan — none of the hostages died during their ordeal.Iranians of all classes and political persuasions argue that, unlike in other violent acts against Americans in the name of Islam — the Sept. 11 attacks, and bombings in places like Kenya, Iraq and Afghanistan — none of the hostages died during their ordeal.
But put hostages and Iran in the same sentence in Washington, and even now, it still comes out terrorism.But put hostages and Iran in the same sentence in Washington, and even now, it still comes out terrorism.
Washington’s decision to deny Mr. Aboutalebi a visa highlights the distrust that still infects the United States-Iran relationship.Washington’s decision to deny Mr. Aboutalebi a visa highlights the distrust that still infects the United States-Iran relationship.
Iranians complain that the United States has never apologized for orchestrating a C.I.A.-led coup against Iran’s popular prime minister, Mohammad Mossadegh, in 1953, which restored the shah to the throne. In a speech in 2000, Madeleine K. Albright, then the secretary of state, acknowledged the damage that had been done to Iran by the coup, but stopped short of an apology.Iranians complain that the United States has never apologized for orchestrating a C.I.A.-led coup against Iran’s popular prime minister, Mohammad Mossadegh, in 1953, which restored the shah to the throne. In a speech in 2000, Madeleine K. Albright, then the secretary of state, acknowledged the damage that had been done to Iran by the coup, but stopped short of an apology.
The Iranian government has never apologized for the embassy takeover. In an interview with CNN shortly after his 1997 election, President Mohammad Khatami expressed regret that the feelings of the American people had been hurt by the hostage crisis, but went no further.The Iranian government has never apologized for the embassy takeover. In an interview with CNN shortly after his 1997 election, President Mohammad Khatami expressed regret that the feelings of the American people had been hurt by the hostage crisis, but went no further.
Iran and the United States are now engaged in multilateral talks aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear program. But hard-liners in both countries are suspicious of a deal, and harsh international economic sanctions against Iran have failed to ignite a spirit of good will among Iranians.Iran and the United States are now engaged in multilateral talks aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear program. But hard-liners in both countries are suspicious of a deal, and harsh international economic sanctions against Iran have failed to ignite a spirit of good will among Iranians.
For Iran, the stakes are high. The ambassadorship in New York is Iran’s most important diplomatic post. In the absence of diplomatic relations with Washington, the ambassador is the public face of Iran for the American people.For Iran, the stakes are high. The ambassadorship in New York is Iran’s most important diplomatic post. In the absence of diplomatic relations with Washington, the ambassador is the public face of Iran for the American people.
Iran has not backed down. It has refused to withdraw the nomination and, once the visa was denied, called the White House’s decision “regrettable.” Last week, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who himself won universal respect as Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, called Mr. Aboutalebi “one of our most rational and experienced diplomats” and noted that Mr. Aboutalebi had traveled to the United Nations in the past without a problem.Iran has not backed down. It has refused to withdraw the nomination and, once the visa was denied, called the White House’s decision “regrettable.” Last week, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who himself won universal respect as Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, called Mr. Aboutalebi “one of our most rational and experienced diplomats” and noted that Mr. Aboutalebi had traveled to the United Nations in the past without a problem.
“We do not have a replacement for Mr. Aboutalebi, and we will pursue the matter via legal mechanisms anticipated in the United Nations,” Abbas Araghchi, a senior Foreign Ministry official, was quoted as saying on Saturday by Iran’s official IRNA news agency.“We do not have a replacement for Mr. Aboutalebi, and we will pursue the matter via legal mechanisms anticipated in the United Nations,” Abbas Araghchi, a senior Foreign Ministry official, was quoted as saying on Saturday by Iran’s official IRNA news agency.
It is rare for Washington to veto a country’s choice of ambassador to the United Nations, unless the candidate is a national security threat, a terrorist or both.It is rare for Washington to veto a country’s choice of ambassador to the United Nations, unless the candidate is a national security threat, a terrorist or both.
In 1984, for example, the United States rejected the nomination of Nora Astorga as Nicaragua’s ambassador to Washington because of her role in the 1978 murder of a top general in the right-wing Somoza government who had worked with the C.I.A.In 1984, for example, the United States rejected the nomination of Nora Astorga as Nicaragua’s ambassador to Washington because of her role in the 1978 murder of a top general in the right-wing Somoza government who had worked with the C.I.A.
She had lured the general, Reynaldo Pérez Vega, to her bedroom, where Sandinista guerrillas slashed his throat.She had lured the general, Reynaldo Pérez Vega, to her bedroom, where Sandinista guerrillas slashed his throat.
The United Nations was different, and the United States had no objection when the leftist Sandinista government appointed Ms. Astorga ambassador there in 1986.The United Nations was different, and the United States had no objection when the leftist Sandinista government appointed Ms. Astorga ambassador there in 1986.