Gulf News Report Published: February 11, 2008, 00:21
A daily pick of news events that happened in history from the pages of Gulf News dated February 11, 1980.
We'll win or else - US games shock
Formally opening the 82nd session of the IOC prior to the winter Olympics, Secretary of State Cyrus Vance bluntly said: "We oppose the participation of an American team in any Olympic games held in the capital of an invading country."
IOC President Lord Killanin criticised the US move and said. "I would implore all those with different opinion and feelings-do not use the Olympic games to divide the world, but to unite it, do not use athletes for the solution of political problems."
McHenry hits foreign intervention
Donald McHenry, US Ambassador to the United Nations, arrived on the start of a seven-nation Middle East swing and promptly took a swipe at nations involved in "foreign intervention" an obvious allusion to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
The 42-year-old ambassador told reporters immediately after his arrival from the US that several matters he intended to discuss with Kuwaiti leaders were closely linked with the Middle East and Southeast Asia, and UN responsibilities in the area.
Bani-Sadr urges unity to safeguard the Gulf
Iranian President Abolhassan Bani-Sadr has urged all Gulf states to cease bickering and unite in safeguarding their oil wealth.
"Stability in the Gulf region means ridding ourselves of super power conflict," the paper quoted Bani-Sadr as saying in an interview. "We must establish a strong relations between governments and peoples." He deplored the industrialised countries of the West for "continuing to suck and swallow our oil revenues."
Mugabe escapes bid on life again
Black leader Robert Mugabe escaped death when a massive remote controlled bomb partially exploded only seconds after his car had driven over it on the way to Fort Victoria airport. Police said the bomb exploded under the car directly behind Mugabe's sending it crashing into the bushes on the roadside. Five people were injured in the blast. It was the second attack on the marxist-leaning Mugabe in four days.
