AN AUGURY OF REVOLUTION: THE IRANIAN STUDENT ...

agents in the Iranian Embassy in Washington on the activities of Iranian students abroad. 413 The
information given to SAVAK by student informants led Iranian officials to worry about the
shah’s security during the October 1969 visit, and special preparations were made. 414 “Special
round-the-clock police ‘fixed post’ protection” was given to the Iranian Embassy in Washington
at their request. 415 There was also special concern given to the security of the Iranian Consulates
in New York, and San Francisco, and the Iranian delegation headquarters at the U.N. 416
The ISAUS continued its campaign against the shah’s political oppression and human
rights abuses when 50 students staged a demonstration on the afternoon of 18 October in front of
the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York, where the shah was staying. 417 Approximately 75
members of the ISAUS took part in the protest, some of whom attempted to break through the
barricades and charge the Waldorf. A fight ensued between members of the ISAUS and the
police. The ISAUS stated that they were outside protesting “political repression and violations
of human rights in Iran.” 418 Once again, prominent Americans praised the shah despite the
protests of Iranian students. Just one night earlier, New York Mayor John Lindsay presented the
shah with a medal marking the centennial of the American Museum of Natural History, and a
413 “The Shah’s Secret Police are Here,” DNSA, Iran Revolution, 18 September 1978, Non-Classified, Article,
IR01530.
414 Telegram from the American Embassy in Tehran to Secretary of State William P. Rogers, “Shah’s Visit to
Washington,” 26 May 1969, General Records of the Department of State, Central Foreign Policy Files, 1967-1969,
Box 2216, Folder POL 7 IRAN (12/1/69), RG 59, NA; Telegram from the American Embassy in Tehran to
Secretary of State William P. Rogers, “Shah Visit Planning – Program of Events,” 12 October 1969, General
Records of the Department of State, Central Foreign Policy Files, 1967-1969, Box 2216, Folder POL 7 IRAN
(12/1/69), RG 59, NA.
415 Airgram from the Department of State to the American Embassy in Tehran, “Visit of the Shah to Washington,
October 1969,” 3 November 1969, General Records of the Department of State, Central Foreign Policy Files 1967-
1969, Box 2216, Folder POL 7 IRAN (12/1/69), RG 59, NA.
416 AE Tehran to Rogers, “Shah Visit Planning – Security Measures,” 9 October 1969, RG 59, NA.
417 DOS to AE Tehran, “Visit of the Shah to Washington, October 1969,” 3 November 1969, RG 59, NA; “Shah
here for State Visit; Students to Stage Protest,” NYT, 18 October 1969, p. 36.
418 “Iranian Students Demonstrate Against the Shah; 5 Policemen Hurt in Scuffle Mayor is Host at Museum Dinner
for Royal Visitor,” NYT, 19 October 1969, p. 15.
99