Tehran Hostages
As a former American hostage in Iran, I resent G.H. Jansen’s comment in The Times that “It was a good thing for the hostages in the U.S. Embassy in Tehran that the enormously clumsy American rescue attempt failed” (“Money Is the Bottom Line for Hostage-Takers,” Opinion, March 18).
At a minimum the unsuccessful hostage rescue attempt of April 25, 1980, demonstrated to the world that the United States will use military force when necessary. Furthermore, the lives of the hostages in Iran, myself included, were far less important than the national honor, integrity and resolve of the United States.
In my opinion the primary reason U.S. citizens have been murdered, injured and taken hostage by mainly Shiite Muslim extremists since the November, 1979, takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran is because the terrorists have not been sufficiently punished by the armed forces of the United States.
I strongly feel that the taking of American hostages will cease when the terrorists are made to pay in blood for their actions.
MALCOLM K. KALP
Culver City
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
