DRAFT:MMetrinko:van:4/24/79
CONFIDENTIAL
1. Summary: If characteristics can be attributed to nations, one of the most blatant Persian traits is the inability to accept responsibility for anything that turns out badly. With only a few exceptions, much of the post revolution rhetoric and sub rosa commentaryray in Iran today is aimed pointedly at the U.S.A. End summary.
2. Attacks by the Winners: Khomeini leads the presently-in-power-pointing-finger group with an almost daily blast at the U.S.A. According to Khomeini, the U.S.A. was responsible for the Shah's excesses and for just about everything else wrong with Iran. The U.S.A. is still working to destroy Iran and all of the trouble in the economy, as well as the regional fighting is tied to Satanic Uncle Sam. A host of other orators echo Khomeini's line, and every day sees a new accusation in the press. Among others, charges against America include: Having her eyes on Iran's oil (Khomeini); being responsible for the suffering of the Baluchi peoples (Ayatollah Khameneyi); not wanting peace to return to Iran (Khomeini); stirring up trouble among the Kurds in Turkey (the People's Fedayan); plotting with SAVAK to kill a whole series of journalists, religious and political figures (Keyhan newspaper), etc. The list goes on and on. The search for a scapegoat for all of Iran's ills is not limited to the U.S.A.
Israel, the UK and the USSR have also come in for a share, albeit relatively minor of the political and religious tirades. The Shah was, howeverafter all, totally under U.S. control as far as the Khomeini party
