Agreement edges U.S., Iran closer to crisis solution

Press, 20 February 1980, Page 8

Agreement edges U.S., Iran closer to crisis solution

NZPA-Reuter New York Iran and the United States have agreed to the composition of a five-man inquiry commission to investigate alleged crimes by the deposed Shah, a move that could eventually spell freedom for the hostages being held at the United States Embassy m leheran.

A United Nations spokesman said Iran had accepted verbally, and : the United States had notified the United Nations Secretary-General (Dr Kurt Waldheim), yesterday of its acceptance. Official confirmation was awaited from Teheran. Meanwhile, the American Secretary of State (Mr Cyrus Vance) flew .back to Washington for consultations with President Carter after a surprise visit to the United Nations headquarters. He told reporters: “I had a series of meetings with the Secretary-General. We had a chance to review in depth the situation, and I will be reporting to President Carter on my return to Washington.” The Secretary of State said he met two members of the proposed commission, whom he identified as Algeria’s United Nations representative (Mr Mohammed Bedjaoui)

and Andreas Aguilar, the former Venezuelan Ambassador to Washington. Reliable United Nations sources have identified othei members of the panel as a French jurist, Louis-Edmond Pettiti, also a judge of the European Court of Human Rights, a Sri Lankan lawyer, Harry Jayewardene, and a Syrian presidential adviser, Adib Daoudi. One United Nations source, said the commission would assemble in Geneva, probably today, shortly after its composition is announced by. Dr Waldheim. ,

When Mr Vance left the United Nations he declined to say whether agreement had now been reached on when the hostages would be rAlpnQPn “Again, I think you should ask the Secretary-General. I think he will have something to say on this tomorrow. It’s up to him,” Mr Vance said.

He also declined to say whether he was more optimistic than when he arrived at the United Nations earlier in the day. The Iranian President (Mr Abolhassan Bani-Sadr) has said none of the hostages can be released until the commission has announced its findings. He has also demanded an American admission of past interference in Iran’s affairs.

In’ Teheran, the Muslim students occupying the embassy have held an emergency meeting with the son of Ayatollah Khomeiny, apparently about the international commission. At the Teheran University mosque meanwhile, Air Force personnel have ended a sit-in protest after receiving a message from the President which they said gave assurances that he would comply with their demands.