374. Telegram From the Consulate in Lahore to the Embassy in Pakistan1
1467. Subj: Anti-US Demonstration Dispersed. Ref: (A) Islamabad 12993;2 (B) Lahore 14563 (Notal).
Summary: Demonstration vs. US—prefigured by massive strengthening police protection at USG facilities—turned out to be more Arab than Iranian. Marchers successfully contained by police and were dispersed before reaching goal of American Center. No violence reported.
1. In defiance of martial law restriction on political activity of any sort, procession of 150–200 students, the vast majority Arabs, formed on downtown old campus of Punjab University this morning (November 19) and proceeded along mall. Goal reportedly was USICA’s American Center, on Queen’s Road. Police, which had strengthened guard significantly around Center and at ConGen and residence in Gulberg since last Thursday (November 15)—Ref. B—brought in further reinforcements and produced a massive show of strength of over 100 police each at Center and ConGen and 40 at residence. Procession was also well attended by police, with police Jeep out front, lines of constables flanking the sides, and further police in back. Procession may have wanted to turn off mall down Queen’s Road to Center but at Charing Cross, was deterred from doing so and ultimately dispersed. We have received no reports of attempted violence by the students or application of counter force by police.
2. Situation now quiet. Police guard in process of being reduced to more normal levels at Center, ConGen and residence.
3. Comment: Martial law authorities appear to have been well prepared to contain this demonstration. Police protection of U.S. establishments, including American school, was provided at their initiative and was extensive. Though processions of any sort are prohibited under martial law, police, under direction of Sub-Martial Law Administrator, DIG and DC, decided not to break up procession immediately but to let it wind its way along carefully prescribed channel until it spent itself.
4. Police had led us to believe that demonstration would be largely by Iranian students here—of whom there are an estimated 100, [Page 859] described as “radical”—and that themes would relate U.S. opposition to Iranian revolution, hostages in Tehran, and extradition of Shah.4 However, though one Iranian flag and a few Iranian students were seen, most of marchers were Palestinian and other Arabs, many in khefiyahs; the banners and placards were on Palestinian issues; and a large portrait of Arafat was held aloft but reportedly none of Khomeini.
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790533–0913. Limited Official Use; Immediate. Sent for information to Karachi and the Department of State.↩
- See footnote 3, Document 373.↩
- Not found.↩
- Civil unrest began in Iran in October 1977 and culminated in the overthrow of the Pahlavi dynasty when the Shah fled the country in January 1979. While the new Iranian Government sought his extradition, the Shah was admitted into the United States in October. On November 4, irregular Iranian students seized the Embassy in Tehran and took 52 U.S. diplomats and citizens hostage.↩