Metrinko, Michael*

Browse oral history

Interview with Metrinko, Michael*

Date

May 23, June 14, August 29, October 27, 1988; March 2, 1989

Location

Washington, D.C.

Interviewer

Burr, William

Language

English

Abstract

Family and educational background; memories of work as Peace Corp volunteer in Iran in the early 1970s; on Iran’s Kurds; on Iran’s Literacy Corps; Iranian political attitudes in the 1970s; on the U.S. Embassy’s Visa Section in Tehran; On the socioeconomic change in Iran in the l970s; on the U.S. Embassy operations in Iran; on the political activities of the U.S. Consulate in Tabriz; on the opposition, demonstrations and riots in Tabriz in l977-78; on the Rastakhiz Party in Tabriz; on pro-government demonstrations; on the burning of Cinema Rex in Abadan; public attitude toward the U.S.; U.S. Embassy’s reactions to the events; on rumors of large-scale resignations of Iranian Air Force officers in Tabriz and Shiraz; emergence of revolutionary organizations in Tabriz; take-over of the Consulate in Tabriz by the revolutionaries; U.S. policy toward the new political order; first occupation of the Embassy and revolutionary factions’ rivalry for its control; U.S. Embassy take-over and the taking of the hostages; memories of stay in Iran as a hostage.

Part 1