Iran Update: December 9, 1979

IWG - Constable/Precht 8 DEPARTMENT OF STATE the BRIEFING MEMORANDUM S/S SECRET/NODIS To: The Secretary From: P - David D. Newsom NEA - Harold H. Saunders H.S. Subject: Iran Update, December 9, 1979 Today's Objectives -- To prepare for the possible release of some hostages in the next few days. -- To assess what the Iranians mean by their plans for an international inquiry into past "US conspiracies" in Iran. -- To continue preparations for the possible work of the lawyers committee. Status of Current Initiatives We have from two good sources indications that the Iranians plan to release some hostages during the next few days. Shahryar Rouhani indicated there will be an expectation on the Iranian side of some reciprocal good will gesture from our side. In light of this possibility it would be best if USG spokesmen could avoid possibly provocative characterizations or statements over the next few days. Iranian employees of Embassy Tehran have protested that they have not been paid since the seizure. We learned today that our Administrative Officer Burt Moore who is a hostage authorized money to be withdrawn from the Co-Op fund for payment of certain contract employees. This money was then taken by the students who said they would pay the employees. We have informed Laingen that we cannot make any money available until we have an accounting for the DECLASSIRIED Per; Rac Project SECRET/NODIS ESDN; NLC-6-32-4-122 BY a NARA, DATE 7/21/15