Word: waldheim
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1980-1989
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...prisoners' possible transfer to government custody defused some of the criticism aimed at the White House for its handling of the hostage crisis. Specifically, the critics had charged that Carter had given in to the militants by approving a special United Nations commission proposed by Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim. The job of the five commissioners-lawyers from Algeria, France, Sri Lanka, Syria and Venezuela-was to investigate Iranian grievances against the deposed Shah and his U.S. supporters, and also to check on the health and safety of the American hostages...
What had gone wrong? Had the Iranians reneged on a commitment in order to further humiliate and punish the U.S.? Had U.N. Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim, who handled much of the negotiations, promised Washington more than Tehran was prepared to deliver? The most plausible explanation was that the murky internal politics of Tehran were responsible. Both Banisadr, who has advocated release of the hostages since his election in January, and the militants at the embassy had been pressing Khomeini for a decision. Government insiders in Tehran contend that the Ayatullah could not afford to favor either side. If he instructed...
...commander of the country's armed forces by Ayatullah Ruhollah Khomeini, Iran's near absolute ruler. Earlier Banisadr had been made chairman of the powerful Revolutionary Council. Yet he was unable to gain Khomeini's full backing on the hostage issue. Though Banisadr had indicated to Waldheim that Khomeini would publicly endorse the commission and call for the hostages' release, the clerical strongman instead went on radio last week to denounce the U.S. and praise "our dear youth" for "having thrown the enemies of religion off the scene." In another broadcast, he declared that "the fate...
...week's end, both U.N. and Washington officials stressed the delicate nature of the situation. "Very fragile" and "tenderly balanced" were how Administration aides described the negotiations. Waldheim told TIME: "The whole thing in Iran is extremely complex. But we know that Banisadr and the Revolutionary Council want a peaceful solution. What is needed is patience." But Administration aides were having a hard time masking their disappointment and sense of helplessness after Khomeini's tough-talking broadcasts. Publicly Washington was insisting that nothing Khomeini said had changed the U.N. commission's mandate to win the hostages...
...create a commission of truly impartial investigators requires a lot of shrewd judgments. After much inquiry, United Nations Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim finally picked the five members. Both the U.S. and Iran warily weighed them and then approved. The five are all men with low profiles and high marks for integrity. They all have experience in three main areas-the law, diplomacy and human rights. The commissioners...