THE WHITE HOUSE STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT ON HOSTAGE RESCUE ATTEMPT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP81B00401R000500140056-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 26, 2003
• Sequence Number: 56
• Publication Date: April 25, 1980
• Content Type: PREL

FOP i_!?;NEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 25, 1980
Approved For Release 2004/01/15 CIA-RDP81B00401 R000500140056-4
OFFICE OF THE WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY
(7:00 A.M. EST)
STATEMENT BY THE ?RESIDENT
ON
HOSTAGE RESCUE ATTEMPT
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THE PRESIDENT: Late yesterday, I cancelled a carefully
planned operation which was underway in Tran to position our rescue
team for later withdrawal of American hostages who have been held
captive there since November 4th.
Equipment failure in the rescue helicopters made it
necessary to end the mission. As our team was withdrawing, after
my order to do so, two of our American aircraft collided on the
ground following a refueling operation in a remote desert location
in Iran. Other information about this rescue mission will be made
available to the American people when it is appropriate to do so.
There was no fighting; there was no combat. But to
my deep regret, eight of the crcwnen of the two aircraft which
collided were killed, and several other Americans were hurt in the
accident.
Our people were immediately airlifted from Iran. Those
who were injured have gotten medical trea tment.. and rill of them 'are
expected to recover..
No knowledge of this operation by any Iranian officials
or authorities was evident to us until neveral hours after all
Americans were withdrawn from Iran.
Our rescue team knew, and I }:new, that the operation
was certain to be difficult and it was certain to be dangerous. We
were all convinced that if and when the rescue operation had been
commenced that it. had an excellent chanrr' of succe-,n. They were
all volunteers; they were all highly trained. I met with their
leaders before they went on this operation. They ,-new then what
hopes of mine and of all Americans they ct,rried with them.
To the families of those who died and who were wounded,
to e?:pr,.:;s the a dini ration I roel for the coil-rage of their
loved ones and the sorrow that I feel pe-,onnally for their sacrifice-
The mi %-.ion on which they r o e+nhar~. was a but anitt rian
mission. It was not d i r~?cterl against Tran; it was riot directed against
the people of Iran. It was not undertaken with any feeling of
hostility toward Iran or its people. It has caused no Iranian
casualties.
Planning for this rescue effort began shortly after
our embassy was seized. But, for a number of reasons, I waited
until now to put those rc.srue plans into effect. To be feasible,
this compl rox ope r,a t. i on had to be the a: o.?uct of intensive Dlanning
and intensive training and repeated rehearsal.
STAT
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 Approved For Release 2004/01/15 : CIA-RDP81 800401 R000500140056-4
However, a resolution of this crisis through negotiations
and with voluntary action on the part of the Iranian officials
was obviously then, has been and will he oreferan
This rescue attempt had to await my judgment that the
Iranian authorities could not or would not resolve this crisis on
their own initiative.- With the steady unraveling of authority in
Iran and the mounting dangers that were posed to the safety of the
hostages themselves and the growing realization that their early
release was highly unlikely, I made a decision to commence the
rescue operations plans.
This attempt became a necessity and a duty. The
readiness of our team to undertake the rescue made it completely
practicable. Accordingly, I made the decision to set our long
developed plans into operation. I ordered this rescue mission
prepared in order to safeguard American lives, to protect America's
national interest and to reduce the tens i ons in the world that
have been caused among many nations an this crisis has continued.
It was my decision to attempt the rescue operation. It was my
decision to cancel it when problems level ooed in the placement of
our rescue team for a future rescue operation. The responsibility
is fully my own.
In the aftermath of the at.tempt, we continue to hold
the government of Iran responsible for the safety and for the
early release of the American hostages who have hoer held so long.
The United States remains determined to bring about
their safe release at the earliest date possible. As President,
I know that our entire nation feels the r1eep gratitude T. feel for
the brave men who were prepared to rescue their fellow Americans
from captivity. And, as President, I also know that the nation
ent that i:he rescue effort could not
t
i
m
n
di:.~ppo
shares not only my
be mounted because of rnech~nical ditf'`.,~1.ti es ,h ut also rmyddetermination
to persevere and to bring all of our h
We helve been disappointec 'h,~fore. We will not give
up in our efforts. Throughout this cxtr.aordinarily difficult
period, we have pursued and will corn . i:' to pursue every possible
avenue to secure the release of the `!o ,~ ~gc=s? In these efforts,
the support of the American people and. of our fri.nds throughout
the world has been a rnc,st crucial el e--erit. That support of other
nations is even more important now. t--e will seek to continue, along
with other nations and with tike off ici;:ls of Iran, a pror.pt
resolution of the crie? is? without any ]c~`;s of life and through
peaceful and diplomatic, means-,
Thank you very much.
EN'D (7:07 A.M. EST)
Approved For Release 2004/01/15 : CIA-RDP81 800401 R000500140056-4