Iranians Demonstrate in Manila

Protest “Inhuman Policies” & “Imperialistic Plots”


Arash Norouzi

The Mossadegh Project | November 7, 2017                  


SHAH IS THE U.S. PUPPET — DOWN WITH THE SHAH

Early in the Iran hostage crisis, anti-Shah Iranian students in the Philippines’ capital city demonstrated in support of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and the revolutionaries who seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran 9 days earlier. A two-day hunger strike followed.

The U.S. Embassy in Manila transmitted the written demands of the protesters to Sec. of State Cyrus Vance, per James D. Rosenthal, Deputy Chief of Mission in Manila from 1979-1982. The first two messages were also copied to the American Consulate in Hong Kong.

The final telegram is from the U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, Richard W. Murphy, who had discussed with President Marcos the growing security concerns both within the country and of Filipinos living and working in Iran.

U.S. State Department Documents | IRAN




November 13, 1979
U.S. Embassy in Manila, Philippines to Secretary of State (Cyrus Vance)

Demonstration of Iranian
Students In Manila

UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 01 MANILA 21606 130926Z ACTION SY-05

INFO OCT-01 EA-12 ADS-00 SYE-00 PM-06 SP-02 SS-15
CIAE-00 DODE-00 INR-10 NSAE-00 PA-02 NSCE-00
SSO-00 ICAE-00 INRE-00 OC-06 CCO-00 NEA-07 HA-05
/071 W
------------------044234 130929Z /21
O 130910Z NOV 79
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2134
INFO AMCONSUL HONG KONG PRIORITY

UNCLAS MANILA 21606

DEPT FOR A/SY/OPS/FO, A/SY/CC
HONG KONG FOR RSS, RMO

E.O. 12065: N/A
TAGS: ASEC
SUBJECT: DEMONSTRATION BY IRANIAN STUDENTS IN MANILA -
- NOVEMBER 13, 1979

REF: MANILA 21544

1. RSO PERSONNEL [Regional Security Officer] WHO WITNESSED DEMONSTRATION OF IRANIAN STUDENTS AT IRANIAN EMBASSY IN MAKATI, METRO MANILA, OBTAINED A COPY OF A HANDOUT WHICH WAS BEING DISTRIBUTED BY IRANIAN DEMONSTRATORS.

2. TITLE: "OUR QUESTIONS AND DEMANDS" BY IRANIAN MUSLIM STUDENTS IN THE PHILIPPINES.

BEGIN TEXT: QUOTE WE ARE RESPECTING ALL LIBERAL AND FREEDOM-LOVING PEOPLE OF THE WORLD, INCLUDING THAT OF THE UNITED STATES. BUT WE WOULD LIKE TO ASK SOME QUESTIONS FROM THE IMPERIALIST POLICY MAKERS IN AMERICA:

1. O, MR. CARTER, YOU ALWAYS HAVE CLAIMED THAT YOU ARE A STRONG SUPPORTER OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS ALL OVER THE WORLD, THEN WHY DID YOU SUPPORT THE SHAH DURING THE REVOLUTION; WHEN HE MASSACRED THOUSANDS OF INNOCENT DEMONSTRATORS IN IRAN? WHY ARE YOU NOW PROTECTING THAT TREACHEROUS MAN WHO IS ONE OF THE WORST VIOLATORS OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE HISTORY?

2. O, U.S. POLICY MAKERS, WHY DID YOU PLOT THE COUP D'ETAT OF MORDAD 28, 1953 DURING WHICH YOU TOPPLED IRAN'S NATIONALIST LEADER DR. MOHAMMAD MOSADDEQ AND BROUGHT THE PUPPET SHAH TO POWER, AGAINST THE WILL OF OUR PEOPLE? [Premier Mossadegh, overthrown in an Aug. 1953 CIA coup]

3. O, LIBERAL MINDED AMERICANS* ARE THESE INHUMAN POLICIES OF THE US GOVERNMENT IN MAKING IMPERIALISTIC PLOTS AGAINST THE OTHER PEOPLE OF THE WORLD AND MASTER MINDING ALL COUP D'ETATS, ECONOMIC EXPLOITATIONS OF THE PEOPLE OF THE WORLD AND COUNTLESS ABUSED BY THAT GOVERNMENT, ACCEPTED AND SUPPORTED BY YOU?

IF NOT, THEN HOW DO YOU VOTE FOR THEM AND PUT THEM IN THE OFFICE? WHY DO NOT YOU PROTEST? REMOVE THEM FROM THE OFFICE*

- AND NOW OUR DEMANDS
WE ARE SUPPORTING THE MUSLIM STUDENTS IN TEHRAN WHO HAVE TAKEN OVER THE US EMBASSY, THE ESPIONAGE CENTER, AND THE HOSTAGES (MOST OF THEM SPIES AND CIA AGENTS) AND WE STRONGLY SUPPORT AYATOLLAH KHOMEINI AND THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC. WE ALSO DEMAND THAT:

1. THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC AND THE PEOPLE OF IRAN SHOULD STAND FIRMLY AGAINST THE US GOVERNMENT TO PROVE TO ALL PERSECUTED PEOPLE OF THE WORLD THAT: 'THE SUPER POWERS ARE NOT BUT THE PAPER TIGERS* AND IF THEY SEEM TO BE STRONG, IT IS BECAUSE WE HAVE SHOWN OURSELVES WEAK*'

2. WE ASK THE US GOVERNMENT TO HAND OVER THE CRIMINAL SHAH, TO THE PEOPLE OF IRAN. SHE SHOULD NOT PROTECT OR SUPPORT THAT TREACHEROUS PERSON UNDER THE COVER OR 'CANCER" OF ANY OTHER BASELESS EXCUSE.

THE US GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT FORGET THAT IT IS NOT FACING A GOVERNMENT BUT THE PEOPLE OF IRAN, AND OUR PEOPLE WILL NOT GIVE UP THEIR DEMANDS UNTIL THEY WILL ACHIEVE THEIR GOAL*

3. WE ASK ALL PERSECUTED MASSES OF THE WORLD TO UNITE THEMSELVES AGAINST THE IMPERIALIST POWERS. THEY SHOULD NOT BE MISGUIDED BY THE PRESS OR PROPAGANDA OF THE SUPER POWERS AGAINST THE LIBERATION MOVEMENTS OF THE EXPLOITED MASSES OF THE WORLD AND PARTICULARLY THAT OF IRANIAN PEOPLE.

VIVA LIBERTY AND INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENTS OF ALL EXPLOITED PEOPLES AND NATIONS DF THE WORLD*
DOWN WITH THE IMPERIALISM, OF ANY TYPE IT MAYBE* LONG LIVE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN* DEATH TO THE US IMPERIALISM* UNQUOTE. END TEXT. ROSENTHAL [James D. Rosenthal, DCM]

UNCLASSIFIED



November 14, 1979
U.S. Embassy in Manila, Philippines to Secretary of State (Cyrus Vance)

Demonstration of Iranian
Students In Manila

UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 01 MANILA 21695 140757Z
ACTION SY-05

INFO OCT-01 EA-12 ADS-00 SYE-00 NEA-07 MCT-02 PM-06
SP-02 SS-15 CIAE-00 DODE-00 INR-10 NSAE-00 PA-02
NSCE-00 SSO-00 ICAE-00 INRE-00 /062 W
------------------051479 140758Z /21
O 140743Z NOV 79
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2192
INFO AMCONSUL HONG KONG PRIORITY

UNCLAS MANILA 21695

DEPT FOR A/SY/OPS/FO, A/SY/CC

HONG KONG FOR RSS, RMO

E.O. 12065: N/A
TAGS: ASEC
SUBJECT: DEMONSTRATION BY IRANIAN STUDENTS IN MANILA - NOVEMBER 14, 1979

1. AT APPROXIMATELY 1000 (LOCAL) 11/14/79 SOME TWENTY (20) IRANIAN STUDENTS GATHERED AT IRANIAN EMBASSY IN MAKATI, METRO MANILA. ALL REPORTS INDICATE THAT DEMONSTRATION WAS PEACEFUL AND CONSISTED OF PASSING OUT LEAFLETS.

2. RSO PERSONNEL OBTAINED COPY OF TODAY'S HANDOUT. TITLE: "OUR HUNGER STRIKE, COMMUNIQUE NO. 2" IRANIAN STUDENTS IN THE PHILIPPINES.

BEGIN TEXT. QUOTE AFTER THE SUCCESSFUL DEMONSTRATION WHICH WAS HELD IN MAKATI METRO MANILA, WE HAVE DECIDED TO HAVE A HUNGER STRIKE FOR TWO DAYS.

DURING THE DEMONSTRATION THAT WAS ATTENDED BY OVER 1,000 IRANIAN, MALE AND FEMALE STUDENTS, THE PARTICIPANTS PRAYED IN GROUP AND THEN THEY BURNED THE EFFIGIES OF CARTER AND SADAT AND LATER ON, THE US FLAG. [Egyptian President Anwar Sadat]

THEY SHOUTED ALLAH-O-AKBAR (GOD IS GREAT), VIVA KHOMEINI, DOWN WITH CARTER DOWN WITH SADAT AND GIVE SHAH BACK, SHAH IS A MURDERER, SHAH IS A TORTURER, WE BACK UP THE MUSLIM STUDENTS HOLDING AMERICAN SPIES, ETC.

AFTER THE DEMONSTRATION WAS OVER, 100 MALE AND FEMALE STUDENTS DECIDED TO TAKE PART IN TWO-DAY HUNGER STRIKE, STARTING FROM 2 P.M. TUESDAY NOVEMBER 13, 1979.

WE HAVE DECIDED TO SHOW OUR SOLIDARITY WITH ALL IRANIAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN TEHRAN, INDIA, TURKEY, EUROPE AND US. WE SHALL FAST AS THEY ARE DOING.

OUR OBJECTIVES ARE:

(1) TO CONDEMN ALL IMPERIALIST ACTIVITIES BY ALL SUPER POWERS AND PARTICULARLY AMERICA. (2) WE WANT SHAH TO BE GIVEN BACK TO THE IRANIAN PEOPLE TO STAND FOR TRIAL AND ANSWER THE CHARGES OF TREASON AND MURDER OF AROUND 100,000 PEOPLE DURING HIS REIGN AND JAILING AND EXILING THE INTELLECTUALS AND HUNDREDS OF THOUSAND OF ACTIVIST PEOPLE OF IRAN. (3) WE SUPPORT THE STUDENTS WHO HAVE BRAVELY CONQUERED THE US EMBASSY (THE ESPIONAGE CENTER) IN IRAN AND WE WANT THEM TO GO ON UNTIL THE VICTORY IS ACHIEVED.

LONG LIVE THE LIBERATION MOVEMENT OF THE IRANIAN PEOPLE AND ALL PERSECUTED PEOPLE OF THE WORLD. DOWN WITH THE IMPERIALISM AND HEGEMONISM OF THE SUPER POWERS LED BY U.S. LONG LIVE IMAM KHOMEINI, THE SUPPORTER OF ALL PERSECUTED PEOPLE OF THE WORLD. UNQUOTE. END TEXT. ROSENTHAL

UNCLASSIFIED



November 20, 1979
U.S. Embassy in Manila, Philippines to Secretary of State (Cyrus Vance)

Iranian Student Activities In Manila

CONFIDENTIAL

PAGE 01 MANILA 22153 200947Z
ACTION SY-05
INFO OCT-01 EA-10 ADS-00 SYE-00 NEA-06 MCT-02 PM-06
SP-02 SS-15 CIAE-00 DODE-00 INR-10 NSAE-00 PA-01
NSCE-00 SSO-00 ICAE-00 INRE-00 /058 W
------------------095130 201050Z /17

P 200914Z NOV 79
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2511

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANILA 22153

E.O. 12065: GDS 11/20/85 (MALIN, HERBERT S.) OR/P
TAGS: PINS, POR, ASEC, IR, RP
SUBJECT: (U) IRANIAN STUDENT ACTIVITIES IN MANILA

REF: (A) MANILA 21953, (B) MANILA 21858, (C) MANILA 21856, - (D) MANILA 21672, (E) MANILA 21695, (F) MANILA 21419

1. (C) SINCE NOVEMBER 13 AND 14 DEMONSTRATION BY IRANIAN STUDENTS (REFTEL D AND E) AND 48-HOUR HUNGER STRIKE AT THEIR EMBASSY, IRANIAN STUDENTS HAVE BEEN QUIET. THEY CONTINUE TO MEET PRIVATELY, PRESUMABLY TO FOLLOW EVENTS AND PRAY. AT SAME TIME THERE ARE UNCONFIRMED REPORTS THAT THE IRANIAN EMBASSY, WHICH PUBLICLY SUPPORTED LAST WEEK'S DEMONSTRATIONS, HAD THREATENED TO CUT ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE TO STUDENTS WHO DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANTI-US ACTIVITIES. HOWEVER, PUBLIC COMMITMENTS OF PRESIDENT MARCOS AND DEFMIN ENRILE TO ARREST AND DEPORT ANY FOREIGNER ENGAGING IN UNAUTHORIZED DEMONSTRATIONS SEEM TO HAVE MADE THEIR POINT WITH IRANIANS. [Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos and Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile]

2. (C) AMERICAN STUDENTS AT LOCAL UNIVERSITIES REPORT THAT IRANIAN CLASSMATES HAVE NOT SOUGHT THEM OUT. SO FAR NOVEMBER 8 ASSAULT ON TWO MARINE SECURITY GUARDS (REFTEL F) APPEARS TO BE ISOLATED INCIDENT.

3. (C) LOCAL POLICE CONTINUE TO MONITOR ACTIVITIES OF IRANIAN STUDENTS AND TO MAINTAIN CLOSE LIAISON WITH RSO.

4. (C) PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT HAS DENIED REQUEST OF SOME IRANIANS TO ENROLL IN MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY AT MARAWI CITY. PRESUMPTION BEHIND THIS PROHIBITION IS THAT IRANIANS MAY BE THINKING ABOUT CONTACTS WITH MNLF. [Moro National Liberation Front]

5. (U) MEDIA CONTINUE TO HIGHLIGHT DEVELOPMENTS IN TEHRAN AND WASHINGTON. THE RELATIVELY FEW EDITORIAL COMMENTS AGREE THAT THE HOSTAGE TAKING IS INEXCUSABLE, BUT ARE NOW ATTEMPTING A DEEPER ANALYSIS OF THE REASONS BEHIND IT. INTER ALIA, SOME COMMENTATORS CITE YEARS OF "OPPRESSION" UNDER THE SHAH AND IRANIAN FEARS THAT THE US SUPPORTS HIS RETURN. BACKGROUND STORIES ABOUT THE SHAH'S RULE AND WEALTH HAVE ALSO APPEARED.

6. (C) ACCORDING TO FOREIGN MINISTRY, SITUATION AT PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN TEHRAN IS DESCRIBED AS NORMAL ALTHOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN LARGE NUMBERS OF IRANIAN STUDENTS "MILLING AROUND" -- APPLYING FOR VISAS AS THEY HAVE FOR THE PAST 4-6 WEEKS. GOP CONTINGENCY PLANS EXIST TO EVACUATE THE 1,000 PLUS PRIVATE FILIPINOS IN IRAN TO PAKISTAN. [Government of the Philippines] THE MAJORITY OF THESE WORK FOR IRAN AIR OR PAGE COMMUNICATION COMPANY. ROSENTHAL

CONFIDENTIAL



November 20, 1979
U.S. Embassy in Manila, Philippines to Secretary of State (Cyrus Vance)

Appeal To Student Groups: Hostages

CONFIDENTIAL

PAGE 01 MANILA 22159 211857Z
ACTION SS-30

INFO OCT-01 ADS-00 SSO-00 /031 W
------------------106031 211914Z /42
O 200942Z NOV 79
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2515
INFO USICA WASHDC

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANILA 22159

EXDIS, FOR NEA/IRN WORKING GROUP; USICA FOR NEA

C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (TEXT - PARA 4 TO END)

E.O. 12065: GDS 11/20/85 (KEOGH, WILLIAM H.) OR-O
TAGS: PINS, IR, US, RP
SUBJECT: APPEAL TO STUDENT GROUPS: HOSTAGES

REF: STATE 300924

1. (C-ENTIRE TEXT).

2. AFTER YEARS OF MARTIAL LAW, STUDENT GROUPS IN THE PHILIPPINES ARE FRAGMENTED, EPHEMERAL, NEITHER WELLORGANIZED NOR PARTICULARLY INFLUENTIAL, EVEN ON CAMPUS. TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY HOLD DEFINABLE POLITICAL OPINIONS, THESE GROUPS OPPOSE THE MARCOS GOVERNMENT AND, BECAUSE THEY THINK THE U.S. IS A MAIN SUPPORTER AND BENEFACTOR OF MARCOS, ARE GENERALLY HOSTILE TO U.S. ACTIONS AND POLICIES. THEREFORE, IT IS VERY UNLIKELY THAT ANY ORGANIZED STUDENT GROUPS COULD BE PERSUADED TO DO ANYTHING PUBLICLY IN SUPPORT OF THE U.S. TO PROPOSE ONE OR MORE OF THEM DO SO, EVEN ON SUCH A SUBJECT, WOULD ALMOST CERTAINLY RESULT IN REJECTION, AND POSSIBLY HARMFUL PUBLICITY. FURTHER, WHILE STUDENT GROUPS MAY NOT BE ACTUALLY SYMPATHETIC TO THE IRANIAN STUDENTS, THEY WOULD NOT BE INCLINED TO VIEW THE SITUATION IN TERMS OF INTERNATIONAL LAW AND DIPLOMATIC CUSTOMS AND PRACTICES, THE BASIS OF OUR POSITION. IN SHORT, WE SERIOUSLY DOUBT THAT WE COULD EFFECTIVELY TAKE ACTION AS SUGGESTED REFTEL, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY.

3. COULD POINT OUT THAT PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN LEERY OF PUBLICLY CRITICIZING IRANIAN ACTIONS FROM START. PRESENCE OF MORE THAN 3000 POSSIBLY DISRUPTIVE IRANIAN STUDENTS, MOSTLY IN MANILA, IS ONE FACTOR. THE 17 FILIPINOS STAFFING THE EMBASSY IN TEHRAN IS ANOTHER. PRESENCE OF 1600 FILIPINO WORKERS IN IRAN IS A THIRD. BELIEVE APPROACH THROUGH GOVERNMENT-CONTROLLED YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS WOULD NOT BE ACCEPTABLE, NOR WOULD GOP VIEW ANY ACTIVITIES CALLING ATTENTION TO PHILIPPINES AS A CRITIC WITH EQUANIMITY.

4. ABOVE VIEWS REACHED DURING CONSULTATIONS APPROPRIATE MISSION ELEMENTS, INCLUDING ACTING CHIEF OF MISSION, WHO CONCURS THIS MESSAGE. IT REPRESENTS AN IMMEDIATE REACTION. WE WILL BE LOOKING INTO SUBJECT MORE THOROUGHLY TO SEE IF THERE IS IN FACT ANYTHING WE CAN DO ON THIS SCORE. WILL REPORT AS APPROPRIATE. ROSENTHAL

CONFIDENTIAL



November 26, 1979
U.S. Embassy in Manila, Philippines to Secretary of State (Cyrus Vance)

Security During Iran Crisis

SECRET

PAGE 01 MANILA 22448 260646Z
ACTION SS-30

INFO OCT-01 ADS-00 SSO-00 /031 W
------------------006205 260652Z /14
O 260640Z NOV 79
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2742

S E C R E T MANILA 22448

EXDIS E.O. 12065: GDS 11/26/85 (MURPHY, RICHARD .)
TAGS: PINS, IR, RP, ASEC
SUBJECT: SECURITY DURING IRAN CRISIS

REF: A) STATE 305379, B) STATE 305427, C) MANILA 22283, D) MANILA 22413

1. (SECRET-ENTIRE TEXT).

2. I MADE ALL POINTS REF A TO MARCOS IN NOVEMBER 26 MEETING. [President Ferdinand Marcos] EXPRESSED GRATITUDE FOR EXTRA SECURITY ASSIGNED TO MISSION PREMISES AND OTHER OFFICIAL U.S. SITES IN MANILA. MARCOS AGREED THAT SECURITY IMPLICATIONS STEMMING FROM RECENT EVENTS ARE WORRISOME AND THAT POSSIBIOITY [sic] OF INCIDENTS IN PHILIPPINES CANNOT BE EXCLUDED GIVEN "PARTICULAR CHARACTER OF OUR MUSLIM POPULATION." LATTER HE DESCRIBED AS SUNNI BUT SUBJECT TO EMOTIONAL APPEALS FROM ANY MUSLIM LEADER SUCH AS KHOMEINI CALLING FOR ACTION IN NAME OF ISLAM.

3. REFS C AND D DETAIL ALL MEASURES TAKEN TO DATE IN MANILA. I HAVE INSTRUCTED CONSULATE CEBU AND ICA/DAVAO TO TAKE SIMILAR PRECAUTIONS. WE CONTINUE TO REMAIN IN CONSTANT TOUCH WITH GOP POLICE [Government of the Philippines] AND OTHER AUTHORITIES, WHO ARE COOPERATING FULLY. MURPHY [U.S. Ambassador Richard W. Murphy]


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Related links:

The President’s Failure In Iran | U.S. Congress, February 15, 1979

Maria A. Ressa, Filipino Journalist (ABS-CBN, CNN): "Blowback in Maguindanao"

Iran Hostage Crisis “Not Their Fault”, Writes Cal Poly Student (Nov. 1979 letter)



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