Bettendorf High School - Beacon (Bettendorf, IA)

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'fNov. 5, 1979 - The U.S. flatly refused to force the Shah to go to Iran. Anti- American demonstrations continued in Iran. 'kNov. 6, 1979 - Iranian Prime Minister Mehdi Bazargan and his cabinet resigned and the Revolutionary Council appointed by Khomeimi began to officially run the country. 'Nov. 7, 1979 - A U.S. negotiating delegation was refused permission to enter Iran and the U.S. government urged the 300-500 American private citizens still in Iran to leave. Nov. 8, 1979 - New York airlines workers refused to service Iranian planes, which were rerouted to Canada. Representative G. William Whitehurst fRep.fVAJ introduced a bill which would authorize the deportation of any student whose country engaged in or sanctioned hostile actions against the U.S. 'Nov. 9, 1979 - Persons as diverse as Pope John Paul II and Muhammad Ali, a Moslem, offered to do everything possible for the hostages, and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat offered the Shah asylum in Egypt. About noon, 1,500 Iowa State students held a demonstration to protest the embassy take over. It degenerated into a yelling match with some Iranian students. The Americans shouted, Free the Americans and Eat your oil, Go home! f Nov. 12, 1979 - The Iranian captors raised the hostage price to include the Shah's riches and a promise that the U.S. would not interfere in Iranian affairs. President Carter ordered an immediate halt to American purchase of Iranian oil. Shortly afterward Iran announced that oil sales to the United States would be promptly terminated. :'fNov. 14, 1979 - Iran moved to remove its assets from American banks. Following this announcement, President Carter signed an order freezing all Iranian assets. 'Nov. 19, 1979 - 7 a.m. - Three hostages, a woman and two black Marines were released. Later that day 10 more fsix black men and four womenj, were also set free. 'fNov. 20, 1979 - The American aircraft carrier, Kitty Hawk, moved to the Indian Ocean. 'Nov. 22, 1979 - Khomeini threatened to put the 49 remaining hostages in Iran on trial as spies despite the fact it is against international law. :Nov. 24, 1979 - Plans for deporting all Iranian students in the United States who are not attending school continued. Nov, 25, 1979 - U.N. Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim called for an emergency meeting of the U.N, Security Council. to discuss the U.S.-Iran crisis. Representative George Hanson tRep.fIDl was permitted to visit the occupied American Embassy as a private citizen, the first to be allowed in. 1'Nov. 27, 1979 - After a 16 minute meeting the U.N. Security Council adjourned until Saturday. Kurt Waldheim addressed the Council, requesting that the U.S. and Iran refrain from any action which would aggravate their crisis. Khomeimi mean- while insisted that to be acceptable any inquiry would have to take place in Tehran. The Shah's last gallstone was removed, cleaning the way for a speedy return to Mexico. :Nov. 28, 1979 - President Carter held a press conference and stated, There is no civilized country on earth which has not condemned Iran. When asked about the possibility of war he said, A peaceful solution is preferable to other remedies available to the United States . . . However, he added, We will persist in our efforts through every means possible. Dec 1979 - The hostages received some 150,000 Christmas cards from concerned American citizens. 'Jan. 1, 1980 - U.N. Secretary General Kurt Waldheim returned to Tehran to discuss the hostage situation on an official fact-finding mission. 'Jan. 3, 1980 - The Ayatollah Khomeini refused to meet with a frustrated Waldheim, who appeared ready to leave Iran. Jan 4, 1980 - Riots erupted in Qom, the home city of Khomeini, and Tabriz, injuring several Iranians who oppose Khomeini and the Iranian captors demanded that the Foreign Ministry hand over the American Charge d'affaires, L. Bruce Laingen, who has been in refuge there since the embassy takeover. Klan. 13, 1980 - The Soviet Union vetoed the U.N. Security Council measure which would have imposed economic sanctions on Iran. I Han. 14, 1980 - All American reporters were expelled from Iran because of what the Iranian government termed biased reportingf, 'Jan 17, 1980 - The American hostages were allowed to write home, sending their thanks for supporting letters and their pleas for a speedy end to the situation. 'Jan. 18, 1980 - In an unusual show of support, the residents of Belle Plaine, IA asked a federal judge to allow an Iranian family to remain despite the expiration of their visa. The family was described as hard working and a benefit to the community. '.Ian. 23, 1980 - Pars, the official Iranian news agency, reported that the Shah of Iran had been arrested in Panama, preliminary to being deported. The report, however, was denied by Panamainian officials. 'Jan. 27, 1980 - Six State Department officials were spirited out of Iran with the help of Canadian ambassador Ken Taylor. The Americans had been hiding in the Canadian embassy since early November. They escaped with forged CIA supplied visas and Canadian passports. The escape stirred enormous protest in Iran and one captor at the U.S embassy angrily protested, It's illegal. Han. 31, 1980 - President Carter called Canadian Prime Minister Joe Clark to express his thanks for the Canadians help. 'Feb. 1, 1980 - The six State Department officials were welcomed home by President Carter as Iranian crowds prayed for the health of Ayatollah Khomeimi on the first anniversary of his return from exile. 'Feb 3, 1980 - Iranian President-elect Bani Sadr assured that the 50 hostages would suffer as a result of the escape of the six diplomats. Feb 4, 1980 - Abolhassan Bani Sadr offieally became president of Iran as he was sworm in by Ayatollah Khomeimi, who promised to endorse him as long as Bani Sadr upheld the sacred principles of Islam. Feb 6, 1980 - Bani Sadr attacked the militants holding the U.S. embassy as lawless dictators while hopes rose in the U.S, that the new Iranian President would be able to break the crisis. Feb 1 1, 1980 - As the American hostages passed their 100th day of captivity, a softening in the Iranian position indicated that perhaps their release was near. President Bani Sadr of Iran stated that the U.S. need only recognize it's crimes against Iran and Iran's right to seek extradition of the Shah. : Feb. 22, 1980- In the Feb. 25 issue of Newsweek the president of Iran Bani Sadr gave the conditions necessary for the release of the hostages: 1. the U.S. must admit to the crimes it committed during the reign of Shah the Mohammed Reza Pahlavig 2. Washington must promise never again to interfere in our affairs, and 3. the U.S. must acknowledge our right to obtain the extradition of the deposed Shah and his fortune. March 1980: There is no immediate end in sight for the hostages. The world sits watching. - Sandy Jackson Iran...

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...,-,---- -Q 1 - ,EVN ge...--1-. ,,,rf.. H 4, N.-- .-- - ......... Q-7-. w, .,. - ...: : .. , . H... I 1- .-, 2 mimi? S-3-I f , , ,Z r-A pf' xg? - .B .f- 'Ll -Q., h v f'-xxsw -N 1 if 4:-J II i 3..- ..,.....5-... .,3,.:.i.11,3' J 'N 'ge 'tr' i 'er--v -' --I' i 'R...,,-M: . -1- '- W-- MM, -..-M j-M-1, ,,f ' ---..f 'kN ' L, rj TTR f . f I . 5 JJ 1 U' 5 5 4 S2 j if I the SAVAK's power. But this came too late 5 for the majority of the people. ' ff ,J Now the resentment ol the lranians toward the United States has resulted in the takeover of the American Embassy. ls- Iran Story NOTE: When the Shah of Iran was overthrown in 1953 many people were relieved and hoped that it would help bring about a more democratic Iran. However, the United States needed a strong pro-Western government in Iran to insure a steady supply of oil and an ally in an area of the world rapidly falling to Soviet domination. Because the CIA was instrumental in returning the Shah to power, many lranians developed intense hatred for Americans. They also feared the United States because it had enough power to interfere in their government. During his reign of Iran, the Shah was very much a dictator. Under his rule there were many political prisoners and the people came to fear his secret police, the SAVAK. At the end of his reign the Shah released many prisoners and tried to limit 8...Iran While the Shah was in Mexico. its embassy was safe partly because the lranians did not fear a Mexican ploy to once again restore the Shah to power. Now there is little America can do to remedy the situation. Even if the United States recognized the Shah as a criminal. we have no extradition treaty with Iran. This means that if anyone is accused ofa crime in one country, the other has no obligation or right to return him. Even if such a treaty were in effect. the United States cou1dn't give in to blackmail or terrorism. If the situation in Iran ends peacefully the U.S. is faced with the dilemma of possible retaliation. President Carter cannot do anything to provoke a war but at the same time he cannot bow down and ignore the incident. THE CAST: Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi President Jimmy Carter 62 American Hostages Iranian Captors Iranian Students in the U.S. Iranian Citizens U.S. Citizens U.N. Secretary General Kurt Waldheim THE PLOT: gAbout 500 B.C. - The ancestors of the deposed Shah, the Pahlavi family, began their rule of Iran. 11941 - The Shah's father was exiled and Mohammed Reza took over as ruler of Iran. 11953 - The American CIA returned the Shah to power after he had been overthrown by a coup. 11963 - Khomeini was exiled for political reasons. 'Nov 1978 - Iran was crippled by strikes and riots as Khomeini pledged to overthrow the Shah. Americans began receiving threatening notes. Dee 18, 1978 - Eight employees at the American-based Grumman Corporation office were firebombed. None were killed but the incident started amass exodus from the country. 'Dec 24. 1978 - The American Embassy in Tehran was attacked by a mob who threw rocks and bricks, and burned one car. Marines held off the attackers with tear gas. flan. 2, 1979 - The Shah left Iran. leaving a weak Shapur Bakhtiar in charge. Mid Janurary, 1979 - About 200 Iranian students attacked the Beverly Hills home of the Shah's sister and invalid mother. In all. 22 police and 45 protestors were injured. xlfeb. 5-12, 1979 - All non-essential U.S. government personnel in Iran were evacuated. 'Early February, 1979 - Khomeini returned to Iran to an ecstatic welcome. He refused to hold an office in his opposition government but appointed Megdi Bazar- gan, a loyal but moderate revolutionary. as Prime Minister. 1'fFeb. 14, 1979 - The American Embassy in Tehran was captured with 101 hostages, including Ambassor William Sullivan. The Americans were rescued by pro-Khomeini forces. :'Oct. 22, 1979 - Late evening - The Shah arrived at New York Hospital - Cornell Medical Center for treatment. He was admitted to the country under a medical visa issued for humanitarian reasons. 'kNov. 4, 1979 - 2:45 a.m. - Some 200-300 Iranian students overran the American Embassy compound in Tehran and took 62 Americans hostages. U.S. Marines fought back with tear gas but were overpowered. However, the time delay gave Americans a chance to destroy sensitive files.

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Iranian mania NOTE: This story appeared in the Quad-City Times on Thursday, Dec. 6. l979. by Alma Nieland Amid shouts of Death to lran and USA All The Way nearly 200 Bettendorf High School students staged a demonstra- tion Wednesday in the school parking lot, climaxing in the destruction of an effigy of Ayatollah Khomeini. Students carried American flags and sang an anti-lranian song to the tune of Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Many wore headbands and bead necklaces, reminiscent ofthe protest days of the '60s. But in glaring contrast to the anti-war mood of that decade, this generation of students said they are tired of seeing the United Stated pushed around and are willing to unite behind their country, even if that means fighting a war. This country is going to go down the tubes unless we unite and do something about it. senior Scott Young said. adding that he is thinking of enlisting in the military service. Senior Ann Gordon said the '60s garb was kind ofa satire - were dressing like the '60s with the mind ofthe '7Us. l'd like to see other schools do something too. Below: Students climbed up on top of senior Brian Decoster's car to get a better look at the speakers at the pep rally Right: Besides being promoted by The Whimper and covered by the Gronl, WUC-TV also came to BHS and filmed the event for the tw pm. news. The mood of the day was America. Love it or Leave lt. There's things that go wrong in this country but you can't just give it up. senior Lisa Gelvin said. We're the last stand of democracy left and we've got to fight for it. The demonstration was organized by a core group of five students who on Monday made and distributed 50 copies of an underground newspaper reflecting anti-Khomeini, anti-Communism, pro- American sentiments, Miss Gelvin said. Senior Jon Pratt said he forthe idea for the paper - called The Whimper as a satire on the school's newspaper called The Growl - because hc recently was depressed about the world situation and just started writing stuff. Students also circulated a petition Wednesday in support of the United States and in less than 30 minutes had collected 70 names under the statement: We are behind the U.S. regardless of whatever action it chooses to take in lrceing the hostages Students made the effigy of Khomeini from a crossboard of wood, a paper face fake beard and robe. They had planned to burn it but the school administrators discouraged that plan. They ripped it up instead. Opposite page: Senior Doug Schumaker holds a part of the effigy ofAyatolla Khomeini torn up bythe crowd and leads them in a chant. Below: Dressing up in toll! style was as much a part of the day as The Whimpcru and speaking up against Khomeini were. tAnn Gordon and Chris White. l2.J I7 .f- K . . . Student Demonstration