128. Editorial Note
On December 29, 1979, Secretary of State Cyrus Vance addressed the United Nations Security Council, asking that it adopt the U.S. draft resolution for economic sanctions against Iran. (Department of State Bulletin, February 1980, pages 67–68) After several days of deliberation, the Security Council adopted Resolution 461 (1979) on December 31 by 11–0 votes, with Bangladesh, Czechoslovakia, Kuwait, and the USSR abstaining. The resolution deplored the continued detention of the hostages, contrary to Resolution 457 (1979) of December 4, and called for their immediate release. The Council took note of Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim’s readiness to go to Iran, and the resolution requested him to intensify his efforts and report back before the Council met again on January 7, at which time it would review the situation and decide, “in the event of non-compliance with the present resolution, to adopt effective measures under Articles 39 and 41 of the Charter of the United Nations.” For a summary of the Security Council’s proceedings and the text of Resolution 461, see Yearbook of the United Nations, 1979, pages 310–312.
Earlier that day, Waldheim met with Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs Harold Saunders, who presented him with a five-point statement approved by President Jimmy Carter and Vance. The five points were: 1) the release of all hostages prior to the convening any international tribunal; 2) U.S. agreement to work out in advance of the hostage release an arrangement for Iranian airing of grievances; 3) no U.S. objections to any Iranian suits in U.S. courts to recover the Shah’s assets; 4) U.S. acceptance of the current Iranian state and non-interference; and 5) U.S. willingness to solve all differences between the two states once the hostages are released. Waldheim was to take the points with him on his trip to Iran. (Saunders, “Diplomacy and Pressure, November 1979–May 1980,” American Hostages in Iran, page 108; Vance, Hard Choices, pages 398–399) No other copy of the five-point statement has been found.
Khomeini “reluctantly agreed” to Waldheim’s visit. Iran would not invite him but would acquiesce to his visit. (Telegram 334170 to the Secretary’s delegation in New York and the White House, December 31; National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840125–1201, N800001–0165)
Waldheim left for Iran on January 1, 1980.