[FREE IRAN Project] In The Spirit Of Cyrus The Great

[cyrus]

Bush Has 'Many Questions' as White House Probes if Iran's President-Elect Was a Hostage Taker

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=898556&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312

By NEDRA PICKLER Associated Press Writer
The Associated Press

WASHINGTON Jul 1, 2005 — The White House said Thursday it was investigating whether Iran's new president played a role in seizing the American Embassy and holding 52 U.S. captives a quarter century ago. President Bush said the allegation by former hostages "raises many questions."

The administration was reviewing its files on Iranian president-elect Mahmoud Ahmadinejad after the hostage comments were brought to light by The Associated Press.

"I have no information, but obviously his involvement raises many questions," Bush said in an interview with foreign reporters. The administration said it would have to deal with Ahmadinejad, regardless of his past.


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Ahmadinejad has been the ultraconservative mayor of Tehran and, according to his associates, was a member of the radical student group that planned the embassy takeover in 1979. But his associates say he opposed the plan and did not take part in holding hostages because he preferred instead to target the Soviet Embassy.

Six former hostages told AP they recognized Ahmadinejad from television coverage and photos as one of their captors during the 444-day ordeal. It was a painful, frustrating time for the United States and weakened then-President Carter, contributing to his re-election loss to Ronald Reagan.

William A. Gallegos, who lives in suburban Denver, wrote in an e-mail concerning Ahmadinejad: "I remember him being one of the leaders at the beginning of the takeover. He was also present during my interrogations. He did not take part, but was present in the background and he always seemed to be in charge of the guards who watched over us."

It was unclear whether the administration had explored previously whether Ahmadinejad was involved in the hostage episode. National security adviser Stephen Hadley said the United States has followed his career. "Obviously, one of the things you do when you get a report like this is look back and see what you have in the files, and that's the process that's going on now," Hadley said.

Militant students seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran on Nov. 4, 1979, and held the U.S. hostages in reprisal for Washington's refusal to surrender ousted Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi for trial. The shah had fled Iran earlier that year after he was overthrown by the Islamic Revolution.

[Martin]

These picture stuff are the same MKO/NCRI crap that I doubt any body believes them at all.