Dr. Ludwig de Braeckeleer

Inexperience crew blamed for USS Vincennes tragedy

Part 32 – AUGUST 3 1988 "Nerves were shattered, and the training seemed nonexistent." The USS Vincennes Incident [1] US Defense Department officials said that the investigation into the downing of an Iranian airliner by the USS Vincennes on July 3 blames the error on the high level psychological stress of the crew and its inexperience of combat situation.

UN Secretary General to announce cease-fire

Part 31 – AUGUST 2, 1988 ''I express deep regret at the mission's conclusion that chemical weapons continue to be used against Iranian forces and positions.'' --Javier Perez de Cuellar, United Nations Secretary General UN Secretary General Javier Perez de Cuellar said that he would declare a cease-fire in the Iran-Iraq war. He added that he will decide on the date based on the recommendations of a military mission sent by the UN in the Gulf.

US and Iran in talks over American hostages

Part 30 – AUGUST 1st, 1988 ''We respect the wish of the PLO, the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people to secede from us in an independent Palestinian state.'' King Hussein of Jordan, August 1st 1988 Over the last week, Washington and Tehran have exchanged a few messages through a third party. The message from the US administration is said to congratulate Iran for accepting the cease fire and to seek the help of Iranians officials to secure the safe release of the US citizens held hostage in Lebanon.

July intelligence Summary

Part 29- JULY 31, 1988 ''We must push our people 200 years ahead and away from medieval, reactionary ideas, through education and discipline.'' Tarik Aziz, Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister   The first week of the United Nations-sponsored Persian Gulf peace talks ended without much result as Iraq insists on talks with Iran.

Saudis urge Baghdad to accept cease-fire with Iran

Part 28 - JULY 30, 1988 "The last time we choose sides between warring factions in the Middle East, it cost us 241 American Marines." Noel Koch, Head of the Pentagon Counter-terrorism Program Tehran claims that Iranians soldiers have pushed back the rebel troops fighting with Iraqi, after they had penetrated 100 miles deep inside Iran. Speaking from Washington, a spokesperson of the rebel group, known as the PMOI, denied the claim and stated that the PMOI has voluntarily withdrawn from Iranian territory.

Pentagon investigators return to United States

Part 27 - JULY 29, 1988 "We do not consider the poor state of relations between Iran and the United States to be in our interest. We would like to see them improve." Richard W. Murphy, Assistant Secretary of State The six-member team investigating the downing of Iran Air flight 655 left the Persian Gulf for its home base in Tampa, Florida.

Baghdad demands direct talks with Iranian officials

Part 26 - JULY 28, 1988: ''If you sell arms to the Ayatollah, don't expect a pardon from the President of the United States.'' Governor Dukakis, US Presidential Candidate Iraq's Foreign Minister had a first round of talks with Secretary General Javier Perez de Cuellar this morning.

UN Secretary General holds talks with Iran foreign minister

Part 25 - JULY 27, 1988: ''I have said several times that the United States took a hostile attitude toward Iran after the 1979 Islamic revolution. Direct talks with the United States make no sense as long as this condition exists.'' -- Hojatolislam Hashemi Rafsanjani, Speaker of Iran's Parliament and Acting Commander in Chief of its armed forces

Rumors of High Level US-Iran Direct Talks

Part 24, Monday, July 26, 1988 "Both sides are very cautiously signaling each other that it's time for a rapprochement. Iranians are tentatively interested in such a possibility, and the United States appears to be very interested." --Gary G. Sick, an expert on the Persian Gulf region, National Security Council staff under President Carter On this day in 1988, UN Secretary General Javier Perez de Cuellar met twice with Ali Akbar Velayati, Iran's foreign minister, in the first formal talks about a ceasefire for the eight-year war between Iran and Iraq.

Tehran denounces Iraqi use of chemical weapons

Part 23 - JULY 25 1988 "I do not understand this squeamishness about the use of gas. I am strongly in favor of using poison gas against uncivilized tribes." Winston Churchill [1]

Israel fears Iran-Iraq Ceasefire

Part 22 - JULY 24 1988 ''Any additional surprise is likely to be one surprise too many.'' Yossi Sarid of the liberal Israeli Citizens' Rights Party. The largest Iranian armed opposition group, the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization (PMOI, MEK) [1], is based in Iraq since 1986. The leftist Islamic group is widely considered as traitors by Iranians.

Khomeini reluctantly renounces war

Part 21 - JULY 23 1988 "I repeat that the acceptance of this issue is more lethal for me than poison; but I surrender to God's satisfaction. I have drunk this for the sake of God's satisfaction." - Ayatollah Khomeini Khomeini repeated how painful it had been for him to accept Resolution 598, but provided no information as to what had prompted him to do so. The Supreme leader, however made it very clear that the decision had been made by Iranian officials without any foreign interference.

Iran and Iraq Reps to Meet With UN Secretary General

Part 20, Friday, July 22, 1988 "The downing of an Iranian passenger plane by an American warship on July 3 was a turning point." --Hojatolislam Hashemi Rafsanjani, speaker of the Iranian parliament and acting commander of the armed forces

Mild resolution adopted over the USS Vincennes incident

Part 19 - JULY 21 1988 'The Resolution adopted today puts the unfortunate events of July 3 in proper perspective.' Vernon A. Walters, United States Representative at the UN Today, the UN Security Council adopted a mild resolution regarding the downing of an Iranian airliner by the USS Vincennes, causing the instant death of 290 people including 66 children.

Tarip Aziz: The war must go on

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.

Iran accepts UN resolution

Part 17 - JULY 19 1988 'Iran should now attract those countries who could become friends instead of alienating them, as it had done in the past.' Iranian military chief Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani Security Council Resolution 598, which Iran said today it had accepted, was adopted on July 20, 1987, as part of diplomatic efforts to end the war between Iran and Iraq. The text of the resolution is attached below.

Saddam offers peace deal to Tehran

Part 16 - JULY 18 1988 Today, in order to mark the 20th anniversary of the Baath Party's rule, Saddam Hussein delivered a speech in which he proposed a Peace Treaty to Tehran. The Iraqi president said that Iraq had inflicted ''material and moral ruin on the Government of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.''

The Lindauer Affidavit

Part 15 - JULY 17 1988 'Susan, if the United States government would let me, I could identify the men behind this attack [Pan Am 1003] today. I could do it right now. You want a police line up? I could go into any crowded restaurant of 200 people, and pick out these men. […]And you know what, Susan? You won't find this restaurant anywhere in Libya. No, you will only find this restaurant in Damascus.' Dr. Richard Fuisz to Suzan Lindauer, September 1994

Moscow asks US to pull out from Gulf

Part 14 - JULY 16 1988 ''The tragedy has demonstrated once again that the U.S. Navy fleet must leave the Persian Gulf waters without delay.'' Valentin V. Lozinsky, Soviet Delegate at the United Nations Today, Valentin V. Lozinsky, the UN Soviet delegate, called for the withdrawal of American naval forces from the Persian Gulf. But Lozinsky also urged Iran to end the war with Iraq and to accept the UN Resolution.

American diplomat congratulates USS Vincennes Captain

Part 13 - JULY 15 1988 ''Given the circumstances, timeframe, and information at hand, you took the only action possible to safeguard your ship and your people.' Charles H. Price II, American Ambassador to Great Britain, Letter to USS Vincennes Captain Will C. Rogers III.