66. Memorandum From Secretary of State Vance to President Carter1
1. UN Security Council Meeting on Iranian Situation: After consultations throughout the day which resulted in an agreed scenario,2 the UN Security Council met this afternoon to hear statements by Secretary General Waldheim and the President of the Council (Palacios of Bolivia). Characterizing the conflict between Iran and the US as a grave threat to international peace and security, Waldheim said the US was deeply concerned with the seizure of the Embassy and the detention of diplomatic personnel “in violation of relevant international conventions.” He noted that Iran seeks the redress of perceived injustices and abuses of human rights by the previous regime. Waldheim said it would not be appropriate for him to make detailed proposals at this time, but that he was certain the parties want to see an end to the present situation. He appealed for maximum restraint and avoidance of any actions which could “further inflame the situation.”
The Council President then read an agreed statement in which he noted Waldheim’s letter of November 25 calling for an urgent Council [Page 168] meeting and the Iranian statement of November 27 asking for a delay in formal deliberations because of Iran’s holy days. He also read his statement of November 9 urging the release of the hostages and reiterated that appeal “in view of the serious threat to international peace and security.” Stating that the Council would continue its efforts to find a peaceful solution, he adjourned the session without further statements until Saturday evening, December 1.
The response from Iran has been mixed. Bani Sadr has sent an official letter to Waldheim saying he will appear before the Security Council on Saturday evening. Khomeini meanwhile has begun strong attacks on the UN as a creature of the USG.3
[Omitted here is material unrelated to the hostage crisis.]
6. Shah’s Health: The senior attending physician for the Shah informed us today that the radiation treatments for the Shah’s neck glands have been completed and that a non-surgical procedure to extract the gallstone was undertaken last night. Because the stone was too large to be extracted whole, the doctors attempted to break it up and remove it in pieces until excessive bleeding occurred. The extraction procedure may have to be repeated if large stone fragments remain. If additional extractions are not necessary, and there are no further complications, Dr. Kean believes the Shah may be able to travel “within a week.”4
- Source: Carter Library, Plains File, Box 14. Secret. Carter wrote “Cy, J” in the upper right corner of the memorandum.↩
- A draft of the agreed-upon scenario contained the following five points: (1) that deliberations before the Security Council would begin November 27; (2) that simultaneously all U.S. personnel would be permitted to leave; (3) that the Secretary-General would establish an international commission to investigate allegations of human rights violations in Iran; (4) that the United States would recognize the rights of the Iranian Government to assert in U.S. courts its claims to assets frozen by the United States; and (5) that both Iran and the United States agree to abide by international diplomatic norms. (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Country File, Box 30, Iran 11/17/79–11/20/79)↩
- The Security Council held five meetings from November 27 to December 4. For a summary of the proceedings and communications, see Yearbook of the United Nations, 1979, pp. 308–309.↩
- In the left margin, Carter wrote: “He should leave as soon as possible after Friday [November 30]. J.”↩