A daily pick of news events that happened on this day in history from the pages of Gulf News dated February 4, 1980.
Signs of thaw in Iran-US crisis
The US-Iran hostage crisis appeared to lean towards some kind of a solution as Iranian President-elect Abolhassan Bani-Sadr said he would like to free the Americans held hostage in Tehran.
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However, United Nations efforts to resolve the deadlock are still blocked by differences about what would happen to the captives while a proposed international commission probed against the... deposed Shah, UN officials cautioned.
Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim is weighing the possibility that the 49 hostages could be turned over to a third party while the commission conducted its investigation, the officials said.
Colourful parade at Military Command graduation
One of the most colourful ceremonies held at the Central Military Command at Al Jumeirah, the 27th batch of soldiers smartly marched out to win the coveted honour of an Army graduate. The Chief Guest Lt Col Shaikh Ahmad Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum stood in total admiration as he took the salute at the passing out parade.
Saudis irrevocably against Soviets
Saudi Arabia has "irrevocably set itself to combat the spread of Soviet influence in Asian regions abutting the Gulf, Crown Prince Fahd declared.
Fahd was commenting on last week's Islamic nations' foreign ministers conference in Islamabad which condemned the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. "The Kingdom accorded invasion of Afghanistan incident utmost attention" said Fahd. Because we reject Communism which contradicts our religious belief."
US offers to bolster Pakistan security pact
US President Jimmy Carter's National Security Adviser, Zbigniew Brzezinski, said the US intended to strengthen a 1959 security agreement with Pakistan to counter possible Soviet-directed aggression from the north.
He told a press conference after two days of talks with President Zia-ul-Haq that the US had a genuine and abiding interest in the security and independence of Pakistan.
UN Council concern at violations of Rhodesian pact
The UN Security Council, expressing concern at "numerous violations" of the Rhodesia agreement, called for Rhodesian troops and auxiliary forces of political parties to be confirmed to base.
The Council called on Britain the colonial power, to create conditions in Rhodesia that would ensure a free and fair election" and thereby avert the danger of the collapse" of the accord signed in London last December 21.
