Part 18 - JULY 20 1988
''The decision was like drinking poison.'' -- Ayatollah Khomeini
Iranian leader Ayatollah Khomeini accepted a truce with Iraq. NB. In late 2006, Iranians were stunned to learn that the head of the Revolutionary guards, not Khomeini, had in fact made the decision to end the war.
''This decision is based on many reasons, but since Imam Khomeini is aware of many political and military secrets, he cannot give more explanations at the moment,'' Rafsanjani said.
Canada and Iran have agreed to resume full diplomatic relations. Canada closed its embassy in Teheran in 1980, after the Canadian Ambassador and his staff helped smuggle six Americans out of Iran. At that time when the, United States Embassy was being occupied by Iranian militants.
But the peace process remains uncertain. Today, Iraq said that ''deceptive'' language used by Teheran left it no choice. ''The logical position is that the war is still going on,'' said Tariq Aziz, Iraq Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.
Iraqi jets attacked industrial plants at Bandar Khomeini and at Ahwaz, at the northern end of the gulf. The Iraqi targets in Iran included an unfinished nuclear plant without nuclear fuel at Busher. The plant has been the target of a half-dozen Iraqi strikes in the last four years.
Michael Dukakis selected Democratic presidential nominee
The Democratic National Convention in Atlanta, Georgia, has nominated Michael Dukakis for U.S. President and Lloyd Bentsen for Vice President.
"It’s time to understand that the greatest threat to our national security in this hemisphere is not the Sandinistas, it's the avalanche of drugs that is pouring into this country and poisoning our children," Dukakis said in his acceptance speech.
Oliver North trial delayed
Today, a lawyer for Oliver North said that he would seek a delay in North's trial in the Iran-contra case.
Back to the present
Yesterday a reader, who describes himself as an ordinary Scot, sent me an email to let me know that he is planning to organize a TV debate regarding the Lockerbie affair. His interest in the affair was triggered by a personal event.
"I happened to be staying in the same Dutch hotel as many of the trial witnesses and lawyers. I am sure, from listening to the drunken court reports each night in the hotel bar, that the trial was a sham and that an innocent is imprisoned," the reader wrote to me.
NOTES AND REFERENCES
U.S. SAYS TEHRAN WILL HONOR TRUCE--July 20, 1988
Iraq, Assailing Iran's Truce Terms, Says It Must Press War in the Gulf- July 20, 1988
U.N. Council Asks End To Hostilities in the Gulf - July 20, 1988
Canada and Iran to Restore Full Relations after 8 Years - July 20, 1988
THE DEMOCRATS IN ATLANTA- July 20, 1988
North Seeks Trial Delay- July 20, 1988
