Posted on 06/30/2005 2:37:13 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
The US says it is examining reports that Iranian President-elect Mahmoud Ahmadinejad took part in the 1979 hostage-taking at Tehran's US embassy. Some of the former US hostages have said they recognise Mr Ahmadinejad as one of their captors.
But three Iranians involved in the action, as well as Mr Ahmadinejad's own staff, have denied that he took part. Mohsen Mirdamadi, the hostage-takers' leader, told the BBC that the new president had not been there.
Another top student leader, Abbas Abdi, also denied the allegations as did Hamid Reza Jalaiepour, a third hostage-taker.
The BBC's Frances Harrison in Tehran says the three former students are now reformists who oppose hardliners like Mr Ahmadinejad, and would have no reason to hide his involvement now. Questions raised Photographs have appeared on the internet showing a young bearded man leading a blindfolded American hostage - alleging that this was Mr Ahmadinejad a quarter of a century ago.
But the man in the photograph appears much taller than Mr Ahmadinejad, and looks nothing like other pictures of him as a student which can be found on his website, Frances Harrison says. White House spokesman Scott McClellan said the allegations should be taken seriously.
"I think the news reports and statements from several former American hostages raise many questions about his past," he said. "We take them very seriously and we are looking into them to better understand the facts." One former hostage said he was sure the man was Mr Ahmadinejad. "This is the guy," retired army colonel Chuck Scott told AP news agency. "There's no question about it. You could make him a blond and shave his whiskers, put him in a zoot suit and I'd still spot him." Four other former hostages agreed with Mr Scott, but at least one disagrees. A total of 52 US citizens were taken hostage after a group of young activists climbed over the embassy wall during the Islamic Revolution, which overthrew the Shah and brought Ayatollah Khomeini to power.
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Geez, now we are doing History lessons for the very young!!
Damn, good looking kids!
A younger Ahmadinejad from a photo from Global security is in the photo above.
Ahmadinejad is the dude on the right with the dark turtle neck, not the guy in the red circle.
Bump.
Thanks for the addition.
I think you may be right, Race.
I'm sure Washington is analyzing any photos they have.
Thanks for the pics, Phil. There's a striking resemblance. Just not sure about that nose and chin.
The media has zero'd-in on the man that "Iran Focus" (an MEK/terrorist website) has circled and claimed to be Ahmadinejad.
Iran Focus has their own grudge with the regime, and they appear to be mistaken in this photo identity campaign. But their photo HAS lead to closer inspection of others in the photo.
Whether it's Ahmadinejad really makes no difference. It is fact that he was involved in the hostage crisis. It's part of his bio, and was known before he was 'elected'. Having a photo may be icing on the cake, but it isn't necessary.
True.
But I would like the media to show the right picture and focus on the right guy.
That's him. The one my photo and the others.
The new President of Iran was one of the people who took our hostages and photo evidence will solidify this in the minds of everyone.
Now we'll see who's with us in this war on terror.
Ozone?
It happens due to this:
Seems that was his last post, he's been quiet and laying low since.
It's him, unless he has a twin somewhere!!
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