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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 24, 1980)
' Viewpoint The Battalion Texas A&M University Friday October 24, 1980 By NA Bat Car advert )U y a car ileage. Stal Slouch By Jim Earle “In the future, you should be a little more careful about what you cut for the bonfires. ” Why Ivan no longer needs the hostages By WILLIAM O. BEEMAN Pacific News Service Last week’s wild rumors and headlines about a “deal in the works” to exchange U. S. hostages for U.S. military aid to Iran underscore how sensitive the hostage issue remains as it approaches its one-year anniversary on Elec tion Day. But the rumors proved groundless, and this fact should also underscore something — as former Iranian UN representative Mansour Farhang has said, “the Ayatollah does’t make deals.” Still, jhe visit of an Iranian prime minister to the United Nations is one more indication verifying what experts have sensed for, several weeks — that important shifts are taking place within the Iranian internal power structure, and these shifts represent important steps to ward an eventual release of the hostages. In order to understand these shifts’ Ameri cans must remind themselves of several basic points about the hostage crisis and its role in Iranian internal politics. First, the hostages have been used to solidify the Iranian population by keeping the symbolic spectre of an outside “enemy of the revolution” alive. Secondly, the keeping of the hostages has been used by a number of political figures with in Iran to bolster and advance their own power. Finally, the identification of the hostages as “spies” has been used by both leftist and rightist Iranian political leaders to prevent moderate polititions from forging any rapprochement with the United States. All of this means that the release of the hos tages is going to be an extrememly difficult internal political operation. Heads will roll in Iran when the hostages are no longer a factor in the politial calculus. Iranian leaders now no longer doubt that the presence of the hostages in Iran is a political liability. Western trade sanctions in the wake of the hostage taking have had a devastating effect on the Iranian economy, and have resulted in a serious depletion of oil production. More im portantly, Iranian leaders were genuinely shocked by the degree of their international isolation when no nation came forth to condemn Iraq’s incursion into Iranian territory at the be ginning of the present conflict. But the current shifts in Iranian positions actually began weeks ago, before the conflict with Iraq. In issuing to parliament a set of guidelines necessary for release of the hostages, the Ayatollah significantly omitted a specific call for an American apology — reflecting a realization that this point had become an insurmountable fetish for President Carter and many Ameri cans. Although various Iranian politicians tried to place their “signature” on the conditions by interpreting or reformulating Khomeini’s state ment, indications are that the final list of de mands likely will conform fairly closely to Khomeini’s original statement. Declarations Warped Americans growing more impatient about hostages President Jimmy Carter has dealt the nation al conscience another blow. He tried very hard to leave the hostage issue out of the campaign, but after last weekend it has become a point of discussion between the two major presidential candidates. It was not enough for Carter to remain rela tively inactive after the hostages were captured — now he has the guts to offer the Iranians money if they will release them. It is almost Election Day, and I wonder if voters will see Carter’s offer to the Iranians as a solution consistent with their own desires. The President seems oblivious to those Americans who would like to go “over there and show them what it means to take an American hostage.” The consequences of military intervention in Iran are unclear, but people are getting more and more impatient. Even beer and country music can’t drown completely the occasional upwelling of a call to “nuke ’em,” and similar impotent demands of young and old alike. Seldom have Americans conserved anger Wortwechsel on Carter’s generous offer to Iran’s Piii Minister Mohammad Ali Raja that he Iran’s assets and resume military parts IpA-estimatt Jjave beconu Jaces. The Envii Agency is res] grs, but the tive, says I igineer at tr istitute. These nui gallon) a mditions g< curate foi ins> ” Tond: Tonda am Ihich is a p ments to the Moslem country, if the AmeritJj n j vers jty S' By Uschi Michel-Howell over such a long period of time. Some of my conservative friends called for a nuclear attack from the beginning, while others simply said “something had to be done.” Now, after almost one year of captivity, I can hear the moderates say that “they should give me a machine gun and I’ll show them.” Carter, it seems, will not give Americans their pride back. Defying the possibility of de feat, he deals with Iran in terms that only he and his staff understand. “Carter will sell us down the river,” some body said to me recently, after reading the news are released. The president hasn’t learned som namely that the Iranian mentality is predict and not receptive to Western ] Raja, who addressed the United Nationse ly this week, must have felt very satisfiedwlj he received what he called an “Americanao; by the EPA ures currei Mileage and i be found live of actu; “One of tb s accuracy f gy” on past American involvement in ^ said^ I wonder how many Americans thoughtj same thing about Carter’s offer. Raja and Carter got what they asked for.]| Iranian got the satisfaction that his countr clout in the hostage issue, and Carter recehi another slap in the face (an offer like S; ‘50,0( asking for it) by Raja’s refusal to makeaposit statement toward Carter’s offer. Election Day is fast approaching, andvoti will go to the polls deciding who will 1 nation for the next four years. Have you made up your mind yet? FOR THE Boycott up U.S. OLYMPIC NeXT PE3ATE, To THE M, TEAM TO IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE PRESIDENT CARTER HAS SERVE IN HIS PLACE. THE MOSCOW ASKED THE made in recent weeks by prominent political figures, including Ayatollah Khomeini, who led the original invasion of the embassy. Ayatollah Hasham Rafsanjani, the speaker of the Iranian parliament, and Prime Minister Rajai, himself, reinforced the authoritativeness for Khomeini’s original guidelines. This can only be interpreted as an improved climate. American State Department person nel have wisely encouraged the thaw by issuing positive reinforcement to the Iranian initia tives. Secretary of State Edmund Muskie’s address to the UN General Assembly — para doxically on the day of the start of the Iran-Iraq war-—specifically acknowledged the legitima cy of Iran’s revolution ,ajid stated clearly 4hat there was no obstacle to giving Iran’s grievances a fair hearing in the United States. Similar statements by Deputy Secretary Warren Christopher and Assistant Secretary David Newsome have been duly noted in Tehran. The climate is now right for the release of the hostages from Iran’s point of view. Iraq is a greater and more immediate outside enemy for Iran and has already taken the place of the United States as a stimulus of revolutionary fervor. As a political galvanizing force, the con frontation with Iraq is without parallel and has inspired Iranians to acts of bravery in resistance that dwarf the accomplishments of the original revolution against the Shah. Paradoxically it is the hostages who now pose an obstacle to Iran’s fighting this more present threat by standing between .Iran and U.S. military aid. Also, the political leaders who have gained by the keeping of the hostages are now being eclipsed by Iranian President Bani Sadr and his coterie of supporters as the war proceeds. As the hostages are perceived as an obstacle to the successful conduct of the conflict against Irag by the Iranian public, the hardliners’ oppo sition to the hostage release will be entirely undercut. One additional sign of the weakening of hardliners was Prime Minister Rajai’s visit to the U.N. Given Iran’s condemnation of the U.N. as an imperialist tool at the start of the hostage crisis, it is significant that their highest legislative official would now come to address the Security Council. This is one way that Iran could announce that they were now willing to grant the Security Council and the U.N. a legitimacy that they had previously denied. No matter that Rajai himself seemed an un sophisticated representative for his govern ment. His title was literally all that mattered. Much is still uncertain about the chances for an eventual rapprochement between the U.S. and Iran, but there is no doubt that both coun tries are now responding to each other after a long hiatus. This in itself is hopeful. Both sides are painfully learning to com municate with each other — a process which takes a long time even under ideal conditions. The fact that Iran continues to move on the issue even as it is conducting a debilitating war should be signal enough to Washington to bear with the situation a little longer. By I The Colli approved a tick off a pr< ial growth lay’s counc The soon lege Statioi ill use the |$et up an o! Foundal ioehring i both said 1 looking foi ronic and ies. The foun the strengtl jsity in atti i Halter said “College of not want don’t think |of that any One aim It’s your turn Readev la uds Bn ttnlion sports coverage Editor: Unlike the majority of letters printed in this column, I would like to commend something at A&M. I would like to compliment The Batta lion and in particular the sports department. Having read other school newspapers’ sports sections that only criticize their opponents, or which sound like a rah-rah pamphlet to induce contributions from alumni, I am pleased the Batt doesn’t conform to these practices. Being a true sports lover, I find the information in the sports to be very accurate — from the women’s volleyball team to our “football” team. I enjoy reading the criticism of those who are responsi ble for poor results as well as praise for those who do well. So thanks, Batt, keep up the good job! Chris J. Carrie ’82 point of view, thereby taking no stance as to morality. I think he did the right thing. Mr. Mallin also fielded a few tough questions con cerned with whether there exists “good” or “bad” terrorists. Let’s face it, all terrorists de serve to be shot. Yes, they are all insane people with little regard for anyone’s life. I just don’t see how you can characterize bombing, threats, or kidnapping as good bull. Control of terrorism should be exercised with all strength and re gardless of cost. There is no easy answer, but this shit cannot be tolerated in the U.S.A. John R. Boeye ’82 give way to conservative values. We needfe* | government regulations, less governmenti terference in our personal lives and fe»? taxes. But remember, this can only be accot plished by electing conservatives to Congres the Senate, as governors, and in state legisli tures. So get out and exercise your vote! patriotic Americans on November 4. Richard Leonardon S Correction i Thanks, Great Issues Editor: I would like to thank the staff of Great Issues for its recent presentation of Jay Mallin. I had never attended these presentations before, but this program was interesting and I am looking forward to seeing more of them in the future. I also encourage the format which allows ques tions from the audience. It’s frightening that terrorism has to be accepted as an integral part of our lives. Mr. Mallin presented terrorism from an objective Reagan endorsed Editor: With the election less than two weeks away, I feel it is time to elect a conservative to the White House, Ronald Reagan. The events of the last twenty years of liberal leadership must A page 1 story in Thursday’s Battalion inco rectly stated that Board of Regents Chain Clyde Wells served as an assistant to fon Texas A&M President Jack Williams. Thestoj should have said that Kent Caperton, Dent cratic state senate candidate, served as liams’ assistant. The Battalion regrets the error. By Scott McCuliar WELL, THEVTE m TESTS ARE I WON'T E-VE/V OVER, AT LAST OVER, AA/p GUESS Hou/ /AY WHOLE LIFE FOR 0. WEEKS HAS BEEN OS PASSING THESE THE PAST FOCVSEP TESTS BUT... LIFE CON) FORT TO CO/AE OF GOES ON, THE SIGHT CONTINUES AND BIRDS ANP /VOW THAT THEY'RE OVER I DON'T EVEN K/VOW WHAT TO FEE-L . . v shut Up you birds! A- Jeim The Battalion U S P S 045 360 MEMBER Texas Press Association Questions or comments concerning any editorial matter Southwest Journalism Congress should be directed to the editor. Editor Dillard Stone Managing Editor Rhonda Watters Asst. Managing Editor Scott Haring p™ wr’v City Editor Becky Swanson LETTERS POLICY Asst. City Editor Angelique Copeland Letters to the Editor should not exceed 300 words in lei _ s 1 0 *L •• *. C , arC F and are subject to being cut if they are longer. The editorial std Asst. Sports Editor R ltch >f Priddy reserves the right to edit letters for sty , e and , ength< but J rocus Editor Scot K. Mey^ make every effort to maintain the author's intent. Each letter Asst. Focus Editor Cathy Saathon must also be signed, show the address and phone numberoltk News Editors Lynn Blanco, writer. Gwen Ham, Todd Woodard Columns and guest editorials are also welcome, and are not Staff Writers Jennifer Afllerbach, Kurt Allen, subject to the same length constraints as letters. Address tH Nancy Andersen, Marcy Boyce, Jane G. Brust inquiries and correspondence to: Editor, The Battalion, Mike Burrichter, Pat Davidson, Jon Heidtke, Heed McDonald, Texas A&M University, College Station, ft Uschi Michel-Howell, Debbie Nelson, 77843. Liz Newlin, Rick Stolle Cartoonist Scott McCuliar The Battalion is published daily during Texas A&M’sfallii® Photo Editor Pat O’Malley spring semesters, except for holiday and examination per Photographers George Dolan Mai * subscriptions are $16.75 per semester, $33.25 per sc Jeff Kerber year and $35 per full year. Advertising rates furnished on rc- J quest. EDITORIAL POLICY Our address: The Battalion, 216 Reed McDonald Building- The Battalion is a non-profit, self-supporting newspaper op- Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843. erated as a community service to Texas A&M University and Bryan-College Station. 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