Friday
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situation report
iran
The decision of the militants at the US Embassy to turn the hostages over to the Revolutionary Council headed by Preeident Bani-Sadr almost certainly reflected pressure from Ayatollah Khomeini.
Bani-Sadr returnedrovincial visitto meet with Khomeini and hia aon Ahmad. later wereimilar audience
The President probably attempted to persuadethat tho militants' continued refusal to allow the UN Commission to meet the hostages was undercutting his efforts to resolve the crisis and his government's efforts to consolidate its power. Foreign Minister Ghotbzadeh'a successful last-minute appeal to theto stay in Tehran alBO suggests high-level intervention.
It is unclear how Khomeini's apparent backing of Bani-Sadr will affect the power etruggle in Tehran. Tho militants' clerical aupportere, especially Ayatollah Khoeini, probably will try to find some way to maintain their influence. | |
The captors* announcement indlcatee that theya meeting with the UN Commission and havewith reluctance to give up the hostages. Council's meeting laatpokeaman aaidCommiaslon members will meet the hostagea. have not been completed for the turnovor, andcould yet reverse themselves, especiallyclerical supportera organize demonstrations. I
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in any case, unlets Khomeini reverses his decision ofebruary to give the yet-to-be-elected National Assembly responsibility for the hostages, there is little prospect they can be freed soon. While most Councilwant to end the crisis, they have endorsedecision* f
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