OF3-11/04/09 8:25 AM
IRAN AND THIRTY YEARS AFTER THE HOSTAGE CRISIS.
The Osgood File. I'm Charles Osgood.
Today, on the 30th anniversary of the takeover of the U.S. embassy in Iran by Islamic militants and the seizing of 52 hostages there, there were government-sponsored demonstrations at the embassy site in Tehran --- people waving anti American signs and shouting anti-American slogans.
( NAT of anti-government protesters in Tehran --- fades... )
And, there were also counter-demonstrations against the government, and some of those demonstrators clashed Iranian police --- who used tear gas and beat at them with sticks.
Among the 52 American hostages taken and held captive for 444 days was Barry Rosen, who'd been the press attache at the Embassy.
SOT - Barry Rosen
"One day might be better than the other. But all in all --- with living in dank and dark places, and tied up or muffled in the mouth, or whatever --- every day was another experience of humiliation and terrible anguish."
Not something easily forgotten, says Rosen.
The pro-government sponsored anti-American demonstrations in Tehran today and crackdown on counter-demonstrators tells you a lot, says Dr. Mednad Consari.
SOT - Dr. Mednad Consari, Center for Arab and Iranian Studies in London
"What you're seeing today is the fact that the regime is stuck with a series of slogans that it can neither utilize, nor throw away..."
He's a senior consultant at the Center for Arab and Iranian Studies in London, speaking to the BBC about the current regime.
SOT - Dr. Mednad Consari
"As a result of its failures in governing Iran in a number of key areas, the population itself has begun to question the wisdom of its form of governance."
President Obama released a statement on the takeover anniversary --- saying he wants to move beyond the "path of sustained suspicion, mistrust, and confrontation." Says Dr. Consari...
SOT - Dr. Mednad Consari
"People want to move forward, people don't want to live in the past. But the fact is, it's the government who wants to lead them in that direction..."
The Osgood File. Charles Osgood on the CBS Radio Network.
The Osgood File. November 4th, 2009. |
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