130. Remarks by President Carter 1
[Omitted here are the President’s introductory remarks.]
But today we have other important matters to consider. For a brief time this afternoon I want to speak with you and all Americans about some fundamental principles upon which our Nation was founded and which we must never forget. To some, these ideals may seem at times to be old fashioned or outmoded. But we’ve been clearly reminded in recent days that these principles mean just as much to us now as they have ever meant during any time of critical decision in the history of our Nation.
These fundamentals have old names to which we must continually give new meaning—names like “strength,” “courage,” “patriotism,” “independence,” “the love of freedom,” “human rights,” “justice,” “concern for the common good.”
This is the 12th day that more than a hundred innocent human beings, some 60 of whom are members of the United States diplomatic mission, have been held hostage in our Embassy in Iran. For a rare time in human history, a host government has condoned and even encouraged this kind of illegal action against a sovereign territory and official diplomatic relations of another nation. This is an act of terrorism—totally outside the bounds of international law and diplomatic tradition.
In this time of trial, our deep concern is for the lives of these brave hostages, our Nation’s loyal citizens and faithful representatives. Every American feels anger and outrage at what is happening to them, just as every American feels concern for their safety and pride in their great courage. This crisis calls for firmness, and it calls for restraint. And I’m proud that this situation has brought forth calm leadership by officials and private citizens throughout this country.
Firmness does require patience, and it requires perseverance. Firmness also means measured action, deliberate actions that clarify the real issues, reduce the likelihood of violence, protect our interests, and ensure justice.
[Page 665]The United States has done nothing and will do nothing that could be used to justify violent or imprudent action by anyone. While we are pursuing all avenues of diplomatic resolution, we’re also acting unilaterally as appropriate—with restraint, yes, but without hesitation.
First, in order to discourage violence and possible bloodshed here, which when televised and transmitted back to Iran might threaten the safety of the hostages, I’ve discouraged the issuing of permits for demonstrations on Federal properties here in Washington. Consistent with our laws and pursuant to my own powers and responsibilities, I have also encouraged local and State officials to take similar legal action.
Second, I’ve directed our immigration authorities to review the visas of some 50,000 Iranian students, who are guests here in our country.2 Our Nation is fully committed to the enhancement of human rights, the protection of legal rights, and the enhancement of civil justice. All provisions of the United States Constitution will be honored. All foreign nationals who are here lawfully may continue here with their work or their studies. But those who are here illegally will be processed promptly and lawfully for deportation back to their own country.
Third, I want to remove any question that our principles might be compromised by our supposed need for Iranian oil. Early this week, therefore, I ordered an immediate halt to any purchases or shipments of Iranian oil to the United States of America.3
I’m determined to make clear that we will never allow any foreign country to dictate any American policy.
Fourth, in order to protect our economic interests and to ensure that claims on Iran by the United States or by United States citizens are settled in an orderly manner, we’ve legally frozen official Iranian property and financial assets.4 The order does not affect any accounts other than those of the Government of Iran, the Central Bank of Iran, or other government-controlled entities.
[Page 666]Yesterday I further instructed Secretary of State Vance and Ambassador McHenry to oppose any discussion of Iran’s problems in the United Nations Security Council as long as American hostages are being held.5 Only after the hostages are released will we be willing to address Iran’s concerns and, then, under the provisions of international law and under the charter of the United Nations. The members of the United Nations Security Council, I am pleased to announce to you, have agreed unanimously with our own proposal.
It’s important for all of us to remember that we will not compromise our fundamental principles of justice no matter how grave the provocation nor how righteous our indignation. At the same time, we will continue to use our influence around the world to obtain the same kinds of human rights for people everywhere.
In this instance, we are upholding an important principle on behalf of the entire world community. It’s a clear tenet of international law and diplomatic tradition that the host government is fully responsible for the safety and well-being of the property and the legal representatives of another country. Less than a year ago—and this is a fact not generally known or recognized—less than a year ago, 70,000 American citizens were in Iran. As you know, thousands of people were killed during the upheavals there, but almost miraculously and because of the good work of Cyrus Vance and others, our people were brought home safely. I thank God for it. Despite the turmoil, each succeeding Iranian Government—and they were being changed, as you know, quite rapidly—protected the citizens of other countries.
Foreign visitors are often vulnerable to abuse. An embassy is not a fortress. There are no embassies anywhere in the world that can long withstand the attack of a mob, if the mob has the support of the host government itself. We had received repeated assurances of protection from the highest officials in the Iranian Government, even a day or two before the mob was incited to attack and before that protection was withdrawn at the last minute. The principle of inviolability of embassies is understood and accepted by nations everywhere, and it’s particularly important to smaller nations which have no recourse to economic or military power. This is why the United Nations Security Council has also unanimously supported our demand for the release of the American hostages.
In accordance with this principle, as recognized and observed by all civilized countries, the Iranian Government and its leaders are fully [Page 667] responsible for the safety and well-being of our representatives in Iran, in Tehran, and they will be held accountable for that responsibility. It is unthinkable that any responsible government in today’s modern world could regard the seizure and the holding of the diplomatic officials of another nation as a realistic means to advance any cause whatsoever. Terrorism is not an acceptable means to resolve disputes between individuals or between nations.
No act has so galvanized the American public toward unity in the last decade as has the holding of our people as hostages in Tehran. We stand today as one people. We are dedicated to the principles and the honor of our Nation. We’ve taken no action which would justify concern among the people or among the Government of Iran. We have done nothing for which any American need apologize. The actions of Iranian leaders and the radicals who invaded our Embassy were completely unjustified. They and all others must know that the United States of America will not yield to international terrorism or to blackmail.
These difficult days have reminded us of basic facts and principles which are fundamental to the existence of us as a people. We will honor all constitutional protections and international law and custom, and we will not let our freedom and our security be jeopardized.
[Omitted here is the remainder of the President’s remarks.]
- Source: Public Papers: Carter, 1979, Book II, pp. 2120–2125. The President spoke at 2:25 p.m. before the 13th constitutional convention of the American Federation of Labor–Congress of Industrial Organizations, meeting in the Sheraton Washington Hotel ballroom.↩
- On November 10, the White House issued an announcement directing Civiletti to identify any Iranian students in the United States not in compliance with entry visa requirements and begin deportation proceedings. In addition, the President directed the Immigration and Naturalization Service to issue a notice requiring Iranian students to report their present location and status to local INS offices. (Ibid., p. 2109)↩
- In remarks to reporters made in the Briefing Room at the White House the afternoon of November 12, the President discussed this decision and indicated that he had directed Duncan to collaborate with Congress, other officials, and industry leaders to develop “new measures to conserve oil” in light of the situation. (Ibid., p. 2110) Proclamation 4702, issued by the President on November 12, codified the discontinuance of oil purchases. For the text, see ibid., pp. 2110–2111.↩
- Executive Order 12170, issued on November 14, blocked all property and assets. For the text, see ibid., pp. 2118–2119.↩
- Vance flew to New York the morning of November 14 to obtain support for this position. (Bernard Gwertzman, “U.N. Session Averted: U.S. Wins Support to Bar Council Meeting Until Hostages are Freed,” The New York Times, November 15, 1979, pp. A–1, A–16)↩