My Turn To Speak

Brassey's U.S., Inc., a public affairs/public policy publishing company, sponsored a news conference by Abol Hassan Bani-Sadr to publicize the publication of his book, My Turn To Speak: Iran, the Revolution, and Secret Deals with the U.S.. President Bani-Sadr, who had been president of Iran following the Iranian revolution, gave a brief announcement on his book which his translator read to the audience, and then answered reporters' questions through his translator. He indicated that he wanted the media to cover more about his book than only the hostage issue, but rather the entire scope of the book which includes inside information on the Iranian revolution, Ayatollah Khomeini, and the politics of the Middle East. The book itself has raised questions concerning the role of Ronald Reagan's campaign staff and then Vice Presidential candidate George Bush in the release of American hostages from Iran in 1981. President Bush has continually denied involvement in negotiations concerning the release of the hostages. President Bani-Sadr said he did not know whether President Bush had been involved in the negotiations.