Word: ayatullah
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...anarchic. The U.S. has not been at war since it left Viet Nam, and if it has not brought conclusive harmony to the Middle East, it has led Egypt and Israel to live in peace. It has, more over, the forbearing and civilized in the midst of all the Ayatullah's provocations...
...Ayatullah Ruhollah Khomeini had presumably intended the clergymen's visit to answer mounting world fears about the hostages' treatment. But instead the result was a new controversy over the fact that some of the Americans were missing. The militants at the embassy insisted that for security reasons, no more than five hostages could meet with a clergyman at one time. After considerable argument, the clerics split up and conducted eleven separate services. Said Gumbleton: "We sang together, we prayed together and we shared the Eucharist together. I should also say that we wept together." Afterward, the churchmen tallied...
...Khomeini who was misinformed: Carter has made no attempt to restrict Iran's food imports. Indeed the clergymen who visited the hostages came away from subsequent meetings with Iranian officials convinced that the Ayatullah is dangerously confused about Western views of the crisis. The clerics wrote him a letter explaining that contrary to the general belief in Iran, the American people strongly support Carter's stand. Said Gumbleton: "We told them they may be misreading the situation, thinking there is a separation between the American people and the Government...
...Ayatullah has so far spurned any moderate advice. Again and again he has supported the militant students. Some diplomats in Tehran believe he has no choice. Said one: "The students have pushed Khomeini further to the left than he might wish. He obviously would be obeyed if he tells them to do what they don't like. But the costs of doing so are becoming increasingly high...
After the four clergymen left Iran, the Ayatullah's Revolutionary Council considered dropping its plans for an international grand jury to investigate U.S. activities in Iran during the 25-year rule of Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi. The tribunal is intended by the Iranians to arrive at a predetermined verdict: condemnation of the Shah and of the U.S. But some Western diplomats believe that Khomeini would then order the release of the hostages...