OIcSECRET

May 15, 1979

Dear Prime Minister:

I am writing to urge that you join me in makingr ent rivate re resentations to the authorities in

Iran to help assure the safety of Iranian Jews. Wehave received numerous repor s since t e execution ofMr. Elghanian that many prominent Jews are beingarrested and that trials are planned. Because of theunsettled conditions in Iran, we believe it will requirestrong and courageous action by Iranian civil andreligious leaders to protect the lives of members ofthe Jewish community. Since the revolution in FebruarAyatollah Khomeini, Prime Minister Bazargan and otherleaders have given assurances that the rights andfreedoms of the Jewish community would be protected.

I ( I believe it is now vital that we immediately urgeIranian authorities to confirm in practice their assur-ances of safety and protection for the Jewish community.

I am also writing to President Giscard D'Estaingand the Pope asking that they make similar approaches.

Sincerely,

Jimmy Carter

SECRET