AN AUGURY OF REVOLUTION: THE IRANIAN STUDENT ...

Department and SAVAK monitored the behaviors of Iranian students in the United States and
Europe.
American diplomats in Austria regularly reported to Washington information regarding
the vocal contingent of Iranian students in Austria. There were between 1,200 and 1,500 Iranian
students studying there, and they were some of the most vocal in the world. Protests broke out in
Austria during the shah’s January 1964 trip. On 25 January there was a demonstration in
Innsbruck, and a day later, 40 Iranian students from Graz traveled to Vienna to demonstrate in
front of the shah’s hotel. Following the arrests of 17 students over a period of two days, larger
protests occurred on 27 January and culminated when approximately 200 Iranian students were
joined by 50 Arabian and Greek students at a demonstration at the University of Vienna.
American ambassador to Austria James Riddleberger confusingly reported that it was “difficult
to determine if the anti-Shah sentiment is indicative of a strong political movement among the
students.” 200 The State Department was deeply interested in the information regarding the
demonstrations and wanted the flow of information pertaining to Iranian students abroad to
continue because it was relevant to the attitudes of Iranian students in the United States. 201
One of the pamphlets that circulated at the demonstrations in Austria was entitled “Shah
in Tirol.” It was signed by Iranian Students Abroad and read:
As you know [the] Shah comes again to Europe and spends millions for his
pleasure. For this pleasure thousands of people in Iran die of hunger and cold. In
order to maintain his inhuman regime he has caused thousands of people striving
for freedom to be killed and to be thrown into prison. We appeal therefore to all
people of the world to plead for the human rights in conformity with the Iranian
200 Airgram from the American Embassy in Vienna to the Department of State, “Iranian Student Activities in
Austria,” 14 February 1964, General Records of the Department of State, Central Foreign Policy Files 1964-66, Box
2334, (Folder title ripped off), RG 59, NA.
201 Airgram from Department of State to American Embassy in Vienna, “Iranian Student Activities in Austria,” 20
February 1964, General Records of the Department of State, Central Foreign Policy Files, 1964-66, Box 2334,
(Folder title ripped off), RG 59, NA; Airgram from the Department of State to the American Embassy in Vienna,
“Iranian Student Activities in Vienna,” 28 January 1964, General Records of the Department of State, Central
Foreign Policy Files 1964-66, Box 2334, (Folder title ripped off), RG 59, NA.
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