President Carter Speaks on the Iranian Hostage Crisis

U.S. President Carter: "However, it is my responsibility and my obligation, given the situation in Iran, to call on American journalists and news gathering organizations to minimize their presence and activities in Iran. I am ordering that all military equipment previously purchased by the government of Iran, which I had previously impounded, be made available for use by the U.S. military forces or for sale to other countries. Finally, I will ask Congress for discretionary authority to pay reparations to the hostages and to their families out of the more than $8 billion in frozen Iranian assets in the United States. These assets will be available to satisfy contract and other commercial claims of American firms against Iranian government entities and to reimburse claims of the United States for the heavy military and other costs we have incurred because of Iran's illegal actions. If a constructive Iranian response is not forthcoming soon, the United States should and will proceed with other measures. We will legally forbid shipments of food and medicine, and the United Nations Charter, as you know, stipulates interruption of communications as a legitimate sanction. I am prepared to initiate consultations with the member nations of Intelsat to bar Iran's use of international communications facilities. The measures which I am announcing today are still non-belligerent in nature. They are a continuation of our efforts to resolve this crisis by peaceful means. The authorities in Iran should realize, however, that the availability of peaceful measures, like the patience of the American people, is running out. The American hostages must be freed. Let me say just a few words about our economy before I answer questions."