Iran and the Hostage Crisis

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American Indian Movement and the United Methodist Church: Presented to United Methodist General Conference

American Indian Movement

This nine-page typed document was written by members of the American Indian Movement addressing the United Methodist Church at a general conference held on April 22, 1980. It criticizes the way the church handles interactions with Native American groups, primarily because it does not give them administrative control over the funding for their programs. It also accuses the Church of effectively sabotaging the Hostage Mail Exchange Service due to the recall of John Adams from Tehran at a crucial moment.

The document contains a resolution in support of the Native American Study Committee and calls on the Church to establish a commission on Native American self development in order to expand support for programs. It outlines and defines the various departments of the AIM Central Governing Council and provides contact information for each branch.
Draft Call to Repentance and Prayer for Iran and the United States

United Methodist Church

This three page typed draft document is a call to prayer and repentance for Christians in the United States on Ash Wednesday, 1980. The first page argues that the American Church must seek repentance for its complacency and acceptance of United States support for Mohammed Reza Shah Pahlavi, who oppressed the people of Iran for many years. The following pages contain a prayer that asks for forgiveness and compassion towards the people of Iran.
Letter from William A. Means to President Abolhassan Banisadr

William A. Means

This is a typed one-page letter sent circa February 16, 1980 by William A. Means, member of the International Indian Treaty Council, to Abolhassan Banisadr, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The letter claims that the Hostage Mail Exchange Service has exposed efforts of the White House and State Department to prolong the hostage crisis for political purposes. Means seeks continued support for the Exchange Service, noting that it is useful for exposing the lies of the United States government.
Letter from John Thomas and John P. Adams to Members of the Revolutionary Council of Iran

John Thomas and John P. Adams

This is a five-page typed letter sent circa February 16, 1980 from John Thomas and John P. Adams to the President and Foreign Minister of Iran. The letter gives thanks to the Muslim students for allowing contact between the hostages and their families through the Mail Exchange Service sponsored by the International Indian Treaty Council. It requests that the hostages be released to the care of the Treaty Council and explains plans of the United Methodist Church to engage with the crisis.
Letter from James K. Mathews to John P. Adams

James K. Mathews

This is a one-page typed letter, circa February 11, 1980, by Bishop James K. Mathews to John P. Adams to convey a message to Imam Khomeini. Mathews sends his regards to the Iranian people on the first anniversary of their revolution. He notes that on Ash Wednesday, February 20th, many Americans will be praying for the people of Iran who have suffered due to the oppressive regime. The letter also calls for the release of American hostages under the premise of mercy, while acknowledging the injustices brought upon Iran by United States policies.
Letter from Rafeeuddin Ahmed to John P. Adams, February 7, 1980

Rafeeuddin Ahmed

This is a one-page typed letter from Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Rafeeuddin Ahmed to John P. Adams, sent on February 7, 1980. Ahmed sends his thanks to Adams on behalf of Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim for the work being done with the Hostage Mail Exchange Service, sponsored by the International Indian Treaty Council.
A Call to Repentance and Prayer for Iran and the United States

Ralph T. Alton and James K. Matthews

This four-page typed copied document is the final version of "A Call to Repentance and Prayer for Iran and the United States," which urged United Methodist Church Bishops to ask their churches to observe Ash Wednesday 1980 as "a day of repentance and intercession for the U.S. and Iran." The American Church is called to confess its complicity in supporting the U.S. government's backing of Shah Pahlavi. A brief history of United States-Iranian relations is also presented, along with a prayer asking for forgiveness and compassion towards the people of Iran.
A Working Agreement for the Release of the Hostages Held at the Embassy of the United States in Teheran, Iran

International Indian Treaty Council

This six-page document is a copy of a draft agreement proposed by the International Indian Treaty Council for the release of American hostages held in the United States Embassy in Tehran, Iran. The document, created circa February 1980, proposes that, under the leadership of Russell Means, the hostages be released into the temporary custody of the International Indian Treaty Council in the United States. It also requests amnesty for the students who took the hostages and proposes discussions be held between Iran and the United States in the spirit of future cooperation between the two countries.
Message from John Thomas to Students at the Embassy

John Thomas

This four-page photocopied handwritten document is a letter from John Thomas to the Muslim students occupying the American Embassy in Iran. The letter, sent circa February 1980, provides updates from Thomas on the Hostage Mail Exchange Service. He recounts difficulties with the press, describes his progress and safety, and shares next steps.
A Troubled Background: Some Notes on U.S. – Iranian Relations, 1953-1979

United Methodist Church

This two-page typed background document was created by the Center for Theology and Public Policy of the United Methodist Church in 1980 to provide context for the Iran Hostage Crisis. It contains a brief history of United States-Iranian relations, with the purpose of explaining the anti-U.S. sentiment of the nationalist revolution. Among other things, this document briefly discusses the U.S. backed coup in Iran, the Shah's close relationship with the U.S., and the rampant corruption and oppression of the Shah's regime.
Memorandum on the Hostage Mail Exchange Service

United Methodist Church

This is a three-page typed memorandum issued by the Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church, circa January 26, 1980. The memo provides background on the establishment of the Hostage Mail Exchange Service as well as its objectives and funding source. It provides locations of drop points for mail as well as the immediate schedule of deliveries made by John Thomas, noting that all mail is non-political, hand delivered and read by the Muslim students holding the U.S. Embassy before delivery.
International Indian Treaty Council Press Release, January 22, 1980

Michael S. Haney and William Thomas

This is a typed two-page press release issued by the International Indian Treaty Council on January 22, 1980. The document addresses controversy surrounding the Hostage Mail Exchange Service, noting that the hostages asked John Thomas to carry out the delivery of mail to families in the United States. It states that the Treaty Council was entrusted with this humanitarian mission because of its standing in the international community.
International Indian Treaty Council Press Release, January 18, 1980

International Indian Treaty Council

This is a typed one-page press release issued by the International Indian Treaty Council on January 18, 1980. The document provides a list of the states where mail from hostages held in the American Embassy in Tehran was delivered by John Thomas.
Letter from Karl H. Hertz to West European Members of the Central Committee, January 7, 1980

Karl H. Hertz

This is a one-page typed letter from Karl Hertz, Director of the Ecumenical Institute of the World Council of Churches in Geneva, to West European members of the Central Committee. The letter, sent January 7, 1980, informs the recipients of an opportunity for John P. Adams of the United Methodist Church to consult with European member churches on the subject of conflict resolution.
Letter from Karl H. Hertz to John P. Adams, January 4, 1980

Karl H. Hertz

This is a one-page typed letter from Karl H. Hertz, Director of the Ecumenical Institute of the World Council of Churches in Geneva, to John P. Adams, Director of Community Relations of the United Methodist Church. The letter, sent on January 4, 1980, refers to a communication sent to all members of the Central Committee and notes the restraint of President Carter during the hostage crisis.
Imam Khomeini’s Message to the Christians of the World

Rouhollah Moussavi Khomeini

This typed document is a message from the Imam Khomeini on December 23, 1979, distributed by the Islamic Republic Party. The message addresses several different groups such as Christians, oppressed people, and the United States. The document criticizes President Carter for his actions related to Iran, makes a plea for all oppressed people to rise up, and asks for the deposed Shah to be given to Iran. One side of this document has the message in English while the other side is written in Arabic.
Imam: Jesus Christ Would Have Reprimanded Carter

Rouhollah Moussavi Khomeini

This single page, legal sized, typed document is a transcription of a message from Imam Khomeini to Pope John Paul II in 1979. The message articulates the imperialism and anti-humanitarianism of the United States under the Carter administration. The Imam asks the Pope to condemn President Carter and argues that Jesus Christ would have done so.

The document is partially damaged.