A daily pick of news events that happened on this day in history from the pages of Gulf News dated March 9, 1980.
Students refuse hostages switch
A bitter war of words between Foreign Minister Sadeq Qotbzadeh and militant students and nationwide protest marches wrecked prospects of an early transfer of 49 American hostages to the government's hands.
Emboldened by massive demonstrations that swept the country, the Islamic militants branded Qotbzadeh as "a liar because he misrepresented words of Ayatollah Khomeini" in a direct reference to the Foreign Minister's claim that Khomeini had authorised him to take charge of the hostages held in the US Embassy since November 4.
Tehran recalls envoy
Iran will withdraw its ambassador from Iraq and has asked the Iraqi Government to call back its ambassador from Tehran "within the next few days".
The diplomatic relations between Iran and Iraq will be reduced to the Charge d'Affaires level. "The Government of Iran, in view of the continuous intervention of the Iraqi Government in the internal affairs of Iran, decided to reduce its relationship with the Iraqi Government to charge d'Affaires level."
Bonn also backs Palestinian self-rule
West German Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher came out strongly and repeatedly in support of self-determination for the Palestinian people as a vital element of any comprehensive and durable Arab-Israeli peace settlement. Genscher said Bonn's advocacy of Palestinian self-determination was nothing new and dated back to 1974. But his hammering on the demand - three times in the course of a prepared statement and answers to questions - came only a few days after France, another leading member of the European Economic Community, made the same demand for the first time.
Massive operation to reduce Tanio oil slick
French ships, spraying chemical dissolvants have reduced an oil slick caused by the wreckage of a Madagascar tanker but rescue workers fear the death toll in the accident could climb to eight. The bodies of four members of the Tanio's 39-man crew, including the Freneh captain and his chief assistant, were recovered. The accident occurred about 50 kms north of lie De Batz at the opening of the English Channel.
