'COERCIVE ACTIONS' ON IRAN CONSIDERED

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90-00965R000302640107-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 26, 2012
• Sequence Number: 107
• Publication Date: April 13, 1980
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/26: Cl
ARTICLE APP ARED
ON PAGE ?
'COERCIVE ACTIONS'
ON IRAN CONSIDERED
Carter WeigOng New Steps Short
of Outrifiht Military Moves
NEW YORK TIMES
13 APRIL 1980
indicated that he did not want to rule out
using anyone if necessary.
' lit6e Iranian hostage crisis, the Presi-
dent announced on Monday that the
United States was severing diplomatic
relations with Iran, imposing a ban on ex-
ports, canceling outstanding visas for
Iranians to enter the United States and in-
vestigating the use of $8 billion in seized
Iranian assets to pay American claims.
In the interview Mr. Carter expressed
doubt that these actions on their own
would compel Iran to free the Americans,
50 held at the embassy and three at the
Foreign Ministry, who ended their 23d
week in captivity today.
"It is hard to predict that unilateral
sanctions on the part of the United States
would be adequate to force them to re-
lease the hostages," he said. "I think our
experience so far has indicated to the con-
trary. We still have additional capabil-
ities of imposing punitive action or coer-
cive action against Iran short of exercis-
, ing our military options. We are consider-
ing what we will do next."
The United States has made an effort,
so far not particularly successful, to en-
list the backing of its allies. Mr. Carter,
to press his case, taped an interview
today that will be shown tomorrow on
Western European television stations.
"If we can induce our European allies
? the Japanese and others ? to join with
us in the imposition of sanctions and in
the imposition of diplomatic restraints,
then, of course, it will greatly magnify
the impact of all those sanctions collec-
tively," he told the editors.
His comments in the interview re-
fleeted the United States' dilemma in
dealing with the crisis. On the one hand,
Mr. Carter wants to signal the Iranians?
and the allies ? that he is determined to
push forward on a course of steadily in-
creasing pressure on Iran. To make such
I a course credible, he must include the
I. possibility that military force ?perhaps
By BERNARD GWERTZMAN
r:5pectal to The New York Times
VMS'ihNGTON, April 12 _President
Carter, acknowledging that the latest
economic and political sanctions will
probably not force Iran to free the hos-
tages, says that he is considering further
"coercive action" short of military force.
In an interview with out-of-town edi-
torso,. conducted yesterday and made pub-
lic today, Mr Carter refused to foreclose
the possible use of military power.
"We obviously have reserved for our-
selves the right to use any means permit-
ted under international law," he said,
"and since we are a seriously aggrieved
party with our own nationals being held
and our own embassy grounds being
taken, this would not foreclose the option
of using military force if I decide it is nec-
essary."
Declines to Give Details
Asked how likely such a decision was,
he replied, "I would rather not comment
any further."
On another matter, the President en-
dorsed the illiElz5lisclosed by Adm.
Stansfield Turner, Director of-
telligence, of allowing the use of journal-
ists for undercover work, a reversal of
the policy of the Ford Administration,
which barred the use of journalists.
At a convention of the American Soci-
ety of Newspaper Editors, Admiral
Turner became involved in a controversy
with editors opposed to the policy as jeop-
ardizing the integrity ot correspondents.
.Mr. Carter said-: "-In a rapidly chang-
ing international situation, where on oc-
casion our nation's own security or exist-
ence might be threatened, we do not want
to publicly foreclose the option of taking
certain action that might be necessary."
"I think Admiral Turner expressed the
policy accurately," the President said.
"We are not now using any newspeople.
This would be done only under extreme
circumstances and the personal approval
of either AdmirarTurner or myself would
be required."
Mr. Carter said there was a "similar
question" in using other professions such
as' clergymen or schoolteachers, and he
A-RDP90-00965R000302640107-2
a naval blockade or the mining of harbors I
? might be used ultimately. I
The United States has also been aware.
that the use of force would endanger the ,
lives of the hostages and cause problems i
in relations with Moslem countries like
Pakistan, which have stated that in a
military crisis they would side with Iran.
Moreover, the allies have said that a
conciliatory attitude toward Iran holds a
better chance of success than one of im-
posing harsh measures.
After the announcement of the new
sanctions, the United States asked its;
allies to take firm measures, including
the withdrawal of ambassadors and pos-
sibly the breaking of relations, but they
have decided to respond differently. r
Today they called on President Abol-
hassan Bani-Sadr of Iran to set a date for
the release of the hostages. The Western
ambassadors will now return home to re-
port. This has the effect of a withdrawal
of ambassadors, but the action is being
taken without leaving the impression that
the allies are trying to punish Iran for the
hostage crisis. The Americans would
prefer that the move be more punitive.
In answer to other questions from the
I editors on foreign policy, Mr. Carter said
the United States was superior to. the
1 Soviet Union in military capability, eco- \
nomic capability and political influence.
STAT
STAT
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/26: CIA-RDP90-00965R000302640107-2