A Hostage's Story

I Still Jump

Former diplomat Barry Rosen, 55, recalls the U.S. embassy siege:

I looked out. People were jumping over the walls. They had placards with Khomeini's picture. Some had clubs. Some had automatic weapons. They blindfolded me, tied my hands and marched me to the cook's quarters. I felt I could be executed. There was so much chaos. I thought, "Is this real?" That night they said, "You give us the Shah, and you are free."

They slapped me around in the beginning. I wasn't a "good boy," but as time went on, I learned it didn't pay to be a smart aleck....

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