'He saved our lives.' A former US hostage reflects on Carter's legacy

Summary

Consider This from NPR: 'He saved our lives.' A Former US Hostage Reflects on Carter's Legacy

Release Date: January 9, 2025

In this compelling episode of NPR's Consider This, host Ari Shapiro delves into the enduring legacy of President Jimmy Carter, particularly in the context of the 1979 Iran Hostage Crisis. Through an intimate conversation with Barry Rosen, one of the 52 Americans held captive for 444 days, the episode explores Carter's relentless efforts to secure the hostages' release and the profound impact of these events on his presidency and personal legacy.

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1. The Iran Hostage Crisis: A Defining Moment

The episode opens with a historical overview of the Iran Hostage Crisis, an event that significantly shaped Jimmy Carter's presidency. On November 4, 1979, Iranian students seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage. Carter's administration faced immense challenges in resolving the crisis, including a failed rescue mission in April 1980.

Notable Quote:

Ari Shapiro [00:00]: "Jimmy Carter's four years in the White House were largely defined by an event that took place halfway through his term."

2. Carter's Struggle and the 1980 Election

As Carter tirelessly worked to end the hostage situation, he simultaneously campaigned for a second term. The prolonged crisis eroded public confidence, culminating in his January 1980 defeat by Ronald Reagan. The failed rescue mission, which resulted in the tragic loss of eight crew members, further dented Carter's standing.

Notable Quotes:

Jody Powell [00:21]: "There has been the startling new development in the Iran Hostage Crisis..."

Ari Shapiro [01:08]: "While Carter was trying to end the hostage crisis, he was also campaigning for a second term."

3. The Release of the Hostages

Despite losing the election, Carter remained committed to securing the hostages' freedom. Negotiations persisted until mere hours before Reagan's inauguration. Notably, although the agreement was finalized before Reagan officially took office, the hostages were not released until after the transition, symbolizing the end of Carter's direct influence.

Notable Quotes:

Jody Powell [02:05]: "At this point, the President had last been asleep about midnight..."

Barry Rosen [07:19]: "Yes. I picked up a piece of grass that was in, on the ground, put it in my pocket..."

4. Barry Rosen's Personal Journey

Barry Rosen, the episode's focal point, shares his harrowing experience as a hostage and his reflections on Carter's role in his liberation. Held for over a year, Rosen emphasizes Carter's unwavering dedication to their release, often at personal political cost.

Notable Quotes:

Barry Rosen [05:18]: "I sincerely believe that he saved our lives."

Barry Rosen [06:17]: "He looked at that [photo]... he carried the photo of your children while you were in captivity."

5. The Final Moments of Captivity

Rosen describes the nerve-wracking final moments leading to their release. Negotiations included intricate details such as unfreezing Iranian assets. The transition to Reagan's presidency occurred symbolically as the hostages boarded a plane held on the runway until Reagan's inauguration.

Notable Quotes:

Barry Rosen [08:21]: "Those final moments were unbelievably nerve wracking."

Barry Rosen [09:34]: "I couldn't believe it. I think there's a photo of me getting on the plane."

6. Meeting a Former President

Upon arrival in Wiesbaden, West Germany, Rosen recounts meeting Jimmy Carter alongside Vice President Mondale and Secretary of State Muskie. Despite initial feelings of anger and confusion, particularly regarding the prolonged captivity and the controversial handling of the Shah's presence in the U.S., Rosen's perspective evolves over time.

Notable Quotes:

Barry Rosen [10:19]: "It was tense... he had the courage to come and see us knowing that many of us were very upset with him."

Barry Rosen [11:36]: "Now, I credit him for taking the real pains of that situation and really trying to extricate us out."

7. Reflection and Legacy

Decades later, Barry Rosen reflects on his initial anger towards Carter, now transformed into understanding and appreciation. He acknowledges Carter's commitment to their safe return, recognizing the complexities and constraints faced during the crisis. Rosen credits Carter with prioritizing their lives over political expediency.

Notable Quotes:

Barry Rosen [11:36]: "I have a better understanding of the situation that he faced and that he brought us back alive."

Barry Rosen [12:33]: "He saved our lives."

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Conclusion: Carter’s Enduring Legacy

The episode concludes by reinforcing Jimmy Carter's legacy as a president who, despite political setbacks, demonstrated profound dedication and humanity during one of America's most challenging foreign policy crises. Through Barry Rosen's testimony, Carter is portrayed not just as a political figure but as a compassionate leader willing to sacrifice his presidency to ensure the safe return of American hostages.

Final Thought:

Ari Shapiro [12:47]: "This episode was produced by Alaina Burnett and edited by Courtney Dorning..."

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Key Takeaways:

• The Iran Hostage Crisis was a pivotal event that defined Jimmy Carter's presidency.

• Carter's efforts to resolve the crisis showcased his commitment, ultimately overshadowing his political ambitions and contributing to his electoral defeat.

• Personal narratives from hostages like Barry Rosen illustrate the human impact of political decisions and the importance of leadership in crises.

• Over time, perspectives on Carter's handling of the crisis have evolved, highlighting his legacy as a president who prioritized human life over political gain.

For Further Listening: To hear this episode without sponsor interruptions, Amazon Prime members can access Consider This through Amazon Music. Support NPR's vital journalism and explore more at plus.npr.org.

Transcript

[Ari Shapiro]

Jimmy Carter's four years in the White House were largely defined by an event that took place halfway through his term.

[Jody Powell]

The US Embassy in Tehran has been invaded and occupied by Iranian students. The Americans inside have been taken prisoner and according to a student spokesman, will be held as hostages until the deposed Shah is returned from the United States, where he's receiving medical treatment for cancer.

[Ari Shapiro]

On November 4, 1979 Iranian college students took over the US embassy in Tehran. They took 52Americans hostage. For the next 444 days, the Carter administration tried to secure the hostages release in April of 1980. They even commissioned a rescue mission that ended in failure.

[Jody Powell]

There has been the startling new development in the Iran Hostage Crisis. That US Attempt to launch a military rescue of the American hostages in Tehran has been, as you have now heard, several times, aborted. There was no fighting, there was no combat. But to my deep regret, eight of the crewmen of the two aircraft which collided were killed and several other Americans were hurt in the accident.

[Ari Shapiro]

While Carter was trying to end the hostage crisis, he was also campaigning for a second term. A year to the day after the Americans were taken hostage, Ronald Reagan beat Carter in a landslide.

[Jody Powell]

The time has come. You've seen the map, We've looked at the figures. And NBC News now makes its projection for the presidency. Reagan is our projected winner. Ronald Wilson Reagan of California, a sports announcer, a film actor, a governor of California.

[Ari Shapiro]

The hostage crisis played a key role in Carter's defeat. But even after he lost reelection, with the clock ticking on his presidency, Carter kept working to bring the 52Americans home, negotiating with the Iranians until there were just hours left in his presidency. Those final moments narrated here by then White House Press Secretary Jody Powell in an ABC News special on the hostages release.

[Jody Powell]

At this point, the President had last been asleep about midnight, not that night, but the night before Sunday night. So he had been up virtually since. Since Sunday morning without, with. With only about an hour's rest.

[Ari Shapiro]

Here was President Carter confirming the deal that he had struck.

[Jody Powell]

Right on, man. That's great. That's great. Okay, now the next step in. Now, the bank. Okay, so the bank of England has certified their depository.

[Ari Shapiro]

But even though the deal was done before Reagan took the oath of office, the plane carrying the hostages sat on a Runway in Iran until Reagan's inauguration.

[Jody Powell]

UPI has just gone with a flash which is in effect, the highest, the most important notification and news that they can give. The last time they did it was with the Kennedy assassination. It's two words. It says hostages freed.

[Ari Shapiro]

So Jimmy Carter was no longer president when the hostages were freed. Consider this, the Iranian hostage crisis helped doom Jimmy Carter's presidency. But for some of the people he helped free, he was a hero. From npr, I'm Ari Shapiro. This message comes from NPR sponsor satva, maker of quality handcrafted mattresses. Founder and CEO Ron Rudson shares one of their core values.

[Jody Powell]

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[Ari Shapiro]

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[Jody Powell]

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[Barry Rosen]

Books we love Wild Card are just.

[Jody Powell]

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[Ari Shapiro]

Jimmy Carter left Washington for the final time Thursday afternoon. Washington was never a comfortable place for the man from Plains, Georgia, and it's generally believed that Carter was a better former president than president. One reason for that perception is the Iranian hostage crisis. For the last 444 days of Carter's presidency, 52Americans were held prisoner at the US embassy in Iran, including Barry Rosen, who was then the press attache at the embassy. Welcome.

[Barry Rosen]

Thank you.

[Ari Shapiro]

You have said that if it weren't for President Carter, you wouldn't be here today. What do you mean by that?

[Barry Rosen]

Well, I, I sincerely believe that he, he saved our lives. I mean, he, he sacrificed his his presidency and worked assiduously for those 444 days to make our freedom the uppermost in his mind.

[Ari Shapiro]

Can you tell us more about that? What leads you to say that it was the most important thing to him?

[Barry Rosen]

Well, I remember my wife Barbara, meeting with President Carter during that time and she showed photos of my young son, Alexander, who was about three at that time, and Ariana, my daughter, was one. And you could see the toll it was taking on him and that he put that photograph in his suit pocket. And I knew for sure that he looked at that.

[Ari Shapiro]

He carried the photo of your children while you were in captivity being held hostage.

[Barry Rosen]

Yes.

[Ari Shapiro]

And do you give any credence to the criticism that if he had handled it differently, the crisis could have ended sooner? That you would not have had to have spent as many days being held hostage as you were.

[Barry Rosen]

After all these years? I felt that there was no other alternative. I mean, yes, there could have been military action against Iran, but I think that might have, would have been taken out on, on us. And I think it would have been, it would have been severe. We were treated terribly during the hostage crisis. I was only outside for 15 minutes. Only one time during the entire situation.

[Ari Shapiro]

You were only outdoors once in 444 days for 15 minutes?

[Barry Rosen]

Yes. I picked up a piece of grass that was in, on the ground, put it in my pocket and you know, that was, it brought me back to my, my days as a young boy with my father and going, going to baseball games. Those moments of freedom, those minutes were amazingly important for my survival.

[Ari Shapiro]

Everything about the story of your captivity is extraordinary, not least of which is the events leading up to your release. President Carter personally negotiated many of the details of the release, including the unfreezing of billions in Iranian assets. But you and the other hostages were not freed until after Ronald Reagan was sworn in as President. Your plane sat on the Runway. What were those final moments like?

[Barry Rosen]

Well, those final moments were unbelievably nerve wracking. We were put on a bus, blindfolded, taken I suspect to me airport at that time. It took over an hour. And as I stepped off the bus, I saw in a distance a light person pointing toward me.

[Ari Shapiro]

Your blindfolds were removed at this point?

[Barry Rosen]

Yes, yes they were. And then a phalanx of the student militants spat at me. And I then ran to the Air Algiers plane that was taking us to Algeria. On our first leg to the trip to Wiesbaden. I couldn't believe it. I think there's a photo of me getting on the plane. I think I was absolutely astonished.

[Ari Shapiro]

Yeah.

[Barry Rosen]

And it was so amazing to just see the people that I hadn't seen for all those, all those months. We were never all together. We were always separated. And one would never know from one day to the next if you were moved or whether a gun would be held to your head or whether you would be forced to sign some sort of statement of being a spy and a platter.

[Ari Shapiro]

So you arrived in Wiesbaden, in what was then West Germany. And Jimmy Carter, newly a former president, was there to meet you. What do you remember about that first meeting?

[Barry Rosen]

It was tense and he was with Vice President Mondale and Secretary of State Muskie. But he had the courage, I thought, to come and see us knowing that many, many, many of us were very upset with him and couldn't understand the decisions that were made in terms of permitting the Shah into the United States. I know those are the Cold War years and all of that, but the anger was, was, was present.

[Ari Shapiro]

And were you personally angry?

[Barry Rosen]

I, I was. I have to admit that I, I just couldn't understand why all that time was spent and we never, never really had a notion of what was going on during that entire time. The hostage takers gave us no information at all about anything. And so the isolation was so severe.

[Ari Shapiro]

And now with more than 40 years of hindsight, do you still feel that anger or what are your feelings?

[Barry Rosen]

No, I don't have that anger. You know, I have a better understanding of the situation that he faced and that he brought us back alive and anything could have happened during those 444 days. And I might not have seen my wife, Barbara, and my two children, Alexander, Arianna, and my grandchildren. Now, I credit him for taking the real pains of that situation and really trying to extricate us out of, I think, the first real big hostage situation, hostage crisis that America faced.

[Ari Shapiro]

Barry Rosen was one of 52Americans held hostage in Iran from November 1979 until January 1980. Thank you for sharing some of your story with us.

[Barry Rosen]

Thank you.

[Ari Shapiro]

This episode was produced by Alaina Burnett and edited by Courtney Dorning. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun. It's CONSIDER this from npr. I'm Ari Shapiro. Want to hear this podcast without sponsor breaks? Amazon prime members can listen to Consider this sponsor free through Amazon Music. Or you can also support NPR's vital journalism and get consider this plus@+npr.org that's plus.npr.org.