Canadian Caper
Canadian Caper ( German: Canadian String ) was the name for the secret rescue of six American diplomats during the hostage-taking in Tehran by Canada and the CIA.
Escape
In the wake of the Islamic revolution in Iran stormed on 4 November 1979, some 400 students, the American Embassy in Tehran and took 66 Americans hostage present. They demanded the extradition of the in a New York hospital earlier Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. However, the United States opposed it.
The six diplomats Robert Anders, Cora Lijek, Mark Lijek, Joseph Stafford, Kathleen Stafford and Henry treasure had been in during the storming of the previous protests at the consulate, an annexe of the U.S. mission. They succeeded shortly before the hostage-taking, as well as a group led by U.S. Consul Richard Morefield, the flight to Tehran's city center. Target was the British representative. While the group was picked up with Morefield a short time later and returned, managed the other to the British Embassy. Because here but also raging protests, she went to the nearby nearby accommodation by Robert Anders. Thus began a six-day odyssey in which the group several times changed the location and thereby also the accommodation caught embassy official took advantage. She was powered by the Thai chef Somchai Sriweawnetr, who had previously also worked at the U.S. embassy with food during this time.
Finally contacted Robert Unlike his friend John Sheardown, a Canadian official. This invited the refugees to his home. When the Americans accepted this offer on 10 November 1979 they also met the Canadian Ambassador Kenneth D. Taylor. Taylor agreed, the couple Stafford accommodate at his home. The rest stayed with John and his wife Zena Sheardown. Even Henry treasure, who had previously done in a Swedish diplomat means joining the Sheardowns. Finally, however, the entire group on the grounds of the Canadian ambassador collected.
This begged the Canadian Prime Minister Joe Clark for assistance in the rescue of vulnerable Americans. Clark told. The refugee group was equipped by diplomatic bag with Canadian passports, as well as by the CIA fake Iranian visas. The organization of escape commissioned the American intelligence Tony Mendez, an expert on covert missions and rescue operations. Mendez came up with the idea to issue the group as a film crew in search of suitable locations for a sci-fi production. As the film title you chose Argo, the script was based allegedly on the book Lord of Light ( German title Lord of Light ) by Roger Zelazny. To increase the credibility of the fake movie project, opened an office of the alleged production company " Studio Six " was set up with the help of makeup artist John Chambers in Los Angeles. Also advertisements have been switched.
In isolation, the submerged Americans passed the time by playing cards or Scrabble. Ambassador Taylor deceived affairs with errands before busyness and let fly out unnecessary personnel.
Rescue
On January 27, 1980, the U.S. citizen 363 Swissair went disguised way to the Mehrabad International Airport, boarded with Canadian passports flight to Zurich and arrived there safely, where they were received by the CIA. The Canadian embassy was closed on the same day, Ken Taylor and remaining staff then also left Iran.
The six rescued American diplomats negotiated are:
- Robert Anders, 54 - Consular Officer
- Mark J. Lijek, 29 - Consular Officer
- Cora A. Lijek, 25 - Consular Assistant
- Henry L. Schatz, 31 - Agriculture Attaché
- Joseph D. Stafford, 29 - Consular Officer
- Kathleen F. Stafford, 28 - Consular Assistant
Taylor and Sheardown, their wives Patricia Taylor and Zena Sheardown and the embassy staff Mary Catherine O'Flaherty, Roger and Lucy Laverna Dollimore was after a successful rescue of the Order of Canada, Canada's highest honor for civilians awarded. Taylor was also honored by the U.S. Congress with the Congressional Gold Medal. The involvement of the CIA and was only revealed its 50th anniversary in 1997.
For his aid to rescue six Americans out of Tehran, the CIA Tony Mendez the award " Intelligence Star of Valor " awarded in 1980 ( German: Intelligence Star for valor ), the second highest award of the CIA, as well as the " Intelligence Medal of Merit " ( German: intelligence medal for performance). In 1997, Mendez was selected as one of 50 former and current employees of the CIA with the " Trail Blazer Medallion": excellent ( German pioneer Medal ). According to former President Jimmy Carter Mendez is one of the top 50 agents in the history of the CIA.
Cinematic adaptations
In 1981 Lamont Johnson's film Escape from Iran: The Canadian Caper. Kenneth D. Taylor and John Sheardown were played therein by Gordon Pinsent and Chris Wiggins. 2012 appeared the thriller Argo, directed by Ben Affleck, who also took over the role of Tony Mendez. He was nominated for an Oscar in 2013 in seven categories and won the price for the Best Film, the Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Editing.