Alternate History 🇺🇸 November 2, 1976: President Nelson Rockefeller wins election to full 4-year term and the aftermath

[Sergeant Foley]

FOREIGN POLICY AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS (PART I)

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*Rockefeller signed executive orders dismantling the Detente Policy with the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China: the policy which had been going under the Nixon and Ford administration. He also terminated the SALT Treaty with the Soviet Union as well as blocking Soviet astronauts from participating in joint space shuttles with American astronauts.
*Relations between the United States and the Soviet Union deteriorated even further when Rockefeller ordered the removal of Soviet Embassy staff employees and deported them out of the country altogether. The Soviets responded by ordering public trials in 1978 of dissidents who complained of government interference with civil liberties, sentencing them to prison.
*Aggressively increased military and economic aid to Uruguay, Paraguay, Guatemala, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Brazil and the Argentine Republic. The Rockefeller administration also staunchly doubled-down on sponsoring the controversial Operation Condor as well as supporting the Dirty War campaign launched by Argentine Republic President Lieutenant General Jorge Rafael Videla.
*Implemented the Good Neighbor Policy, which was successful in fostering relations with lots of countries in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, the Caribbean and Asia.
*Significance of the Good Neighbor Policy included some military governments released political prisoners and announced plans to reestablish civilian governments.

COMING SOON IN THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC: Profile on Farah Pahlavi

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[Sergeant Foley]

FOREIGN POLICY AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS (PART II)

*US Ambassador to the United Nations Daniel J. Evans managed to foster cordial and respectful diplomatic relations with majority of countries in Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and Asia. He also won cordiality between the United States and black Heads of State in Africa through his daily contacts at the United Nations with foreign diplomats including his many trips abroad. Evans was involved in drafting a British/American plan for white-ruled Rhodesia (later renamed Zimbabwe) to turning over its government to black majority rule. Once white-ruled South Africa imposed aggressive, harsh measures on black activist groups by jailing more than 56+ black leaders, Evans cast the US vote in the United Nations Security Council on November 4, 1977, when it was unanimously agreed to declare a mandatory arms embargo on South Africa: The first time that the United Nations ever had taken such action against a member nation.

*In 1978, Rockefeller became the first US President to make State Visits to the black-ruled nations of Africa south of the Sahara, traveling to Nigeria and Liberia on a trip that also included stops in Venezuela and Brazil.

*Biggest challenge for President Rockefeller was the Panama Canal. For most of the 20th Century, US control of the Panama Canal Zone had been strongly viewed by a majority of Latin American leaders as flagrant symbol of Yankee imperialism dividing the sovereignty of Panama with the zone of American military occupation. Since the LBJ administration in 1964, American and Panamanian diplomats had been wrestling with wording of a new treaty in replacing that which had been imposed on Panama since then-President Theodore Roosevelt in 1903. Despite unsuccessful attempts at turning over control of the Canal due to staunch conservative opposition in 1975, Rockefeller wasn't going to let this setback deter his efforts. With the skillful diplomacy efforts from US Secretary of State Malcolm Wilson and his own persuasive lobbying techniques, Rockefeller managed to bring the long-dragged-out negotiations finally to an end in 1977 by signing new Panama Canal treaties on September 28, 1977 with Panamanian leader General Omar Torrijos during a televised ceremony in the East Room of the White House. This would turn over control of the Canal and the Panama Canal Zone to the Panamanians by December 31, 1999. Rockefeller out-foxed opposition from conservative Republicans and several conservative Democrats, who tried blocking the ratification, when Rockefeller amended the treaties to affirming the right of the United States to intervene with military force to protecting the Panama Canal if necessary in the interest of national security.
COMING UP IN CHAPTER 6:
*National Defense under the Rockefeller administration
*State Visits and International trips of President Rockefeller

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[Sergeant Foley]

FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS (PART III)

*The most significant foreign policy success in President Rockefeller's administration was the Camp David Summit Conference between Israel and Egypt. When Egyptian President Anwar al-Sadat came to Washington, DC in April 1977, to visit Rockefeller, the two had found the basis of mutual respect and friendship (considering Rockefeller had met Sadat in previous interactions during his time as Vice President including after his ascension to the Presidency on September 5, 1975) in their private discussions. In the months that followed, Rockefeller and Sadat kept in touch with each other with personal letters that Sadat later credited with influencing a dramatic turnaround in his thinking. Sadat announced in November that he would be willing to go to Israel if it would bring peace. Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin quickly issued a formal invitation. On November 19-21, 1977, Sadat visited Israel, addressing the Knesset and meeting privately with Begin in first face-to-face talks between Arab and Israeli leaders since the Jewish State declared its independence three decades earlier.

Formal peace conference began on December 14, 1977 with Israeli, Egyptian and American representatives in attendance. Begin flew to the United States in mid-December to discuss his bargaining position with Rockefeller and then flew to Egypt on Christmas Day 1977 for another meeting with Sadat.

*Rockefeller invited both Sadat and Begin to join him in September 1978 at Camp David in Maryland. Sealed off from the rest of the world by walls of secrecy for 13 days, the three leaders bargained with each other while the world anxiously awaited the outcome. On September 17, 1978, the three leaders emerged from seclusion at Camp David to announce the successful conclusion of their negotiations. Sadat had been persuaded to give up his adamant demand for an independent Palestinian Arab nation as a preisquisite for a peace agreement and Begin had agreed to return to Egypt the Sinai Peninsula, which Israel had captured in the Third Arab/Israeli War of 1967. After flying on Marine One to the White House, Rockefeller, Sadat and Begin appeared on television to sign two agreements that established frameworks for conclusion of a peace treaty between Egypt and Israel including principles for a general peace in the Middle East.

NATIONAL DEFENSE (PART I):

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*President Rockefeller continued the development of the modern B-1 international bomber and Trident strategic submarine.
*Streamlined conventional combat strength by shifting support personnel to combat functions.
*Continued the technical modernization of land and Naval forces and increased new chip construction.
*Maintaining military balance, President Rockefeller submitted defense budget for 1977 which provided major increase of $7.6 billion in total obligation authority in defense spending to buying new weapons system; improving readiness of existing forces and to increase selected combat forces.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

NATIONAL DEFENSE (PART II):

*President Rockefeller's budget increases during his 3 1/2 years in office designed to maintaining and improving US military capabilities.
*New main battle tanks for the United States Army moved from development to production phases.
*New helicopters and anti-tank missile systems reinforced the Army's arsenals.
*Production took place on the Trident submarine missile fleet, with the keel of the first vessel already laid.
*Tactical Air Forces strengthened with additions of the F-15s; F-16 and F-18 high performance aircraft.
*Launched the procurement phase of over 200 B-1 bombers replacing aging B-52s.
*Continued development of the cruise missile and an improved intercontinental ballistic missile.
*Improvements were made in the combat power; equipment and readiness of the National Guard and Reserve components.
*Rockefeller's initial budget request for 16 new Navy ships: 32% increase over the average ship building in previous administrations= President Rockefeller later asked for additional money for five more ships plus advance funding for new Nimitz class aircraft carriers. Among the new ships included the following: three more nuclear powered attack submarines; eight guided missile frigates.
*Pushed for the following measures to increase the efficiency of the defense establishment:
*Restrained the growth of compensation levels;
*Reduced civilian personnel positions by consolidating headquarters and other base facilities;
*Eliminated dual compensation for federal employees on active duty for training with the National Guard and Reserves;
*Reduced temporary duty and permanent charge-of-station travels;
*Reduced petroleum consumption for proficiency flying programs through greater use of small aircfraft and ground training aids and holding new construction around 1978 levels.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

List of International trips during Rockefeller's presidency from November 1975 until mid January 1979. Here's the first phase of international presidential trips. Enjoy 😎

INTERNATIONAL TRIPS (PART I)
France (Rambouillet) November 15-17, 1975
*Attended the inaugural G-6 Summit at the Chateaux de Rambioullet.

Spain (Madrid) November 22-23, 1975
*Attended the State Funeral of Generalissimo Francisco Franco.

Taiwan (Taipei) December 1-5, 1975
*State Visit: Met with Taiwanese President Yen Chia-kan; Taiwanese Premier Chiang Ching-kuo; Lunched with US military personnel troops of US Taiwan Defense Command at the HSA Compound in Yuanshan.

Indonesia (Jakarta) December 5-6, 1975
*State Visit: Met with Indonesian President Suharto.

Philippines (Manila; Mactan; Taguig City; Corregidor Island) December 6-11, 1975
*State Visit: Met with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos; Laid wreath at the Rizal Monument; Addressed Joint Session of the Philippine Batasang Pambansa; Addressed 60,000+ US military personnel troops at Mactan Air Base; Town Hall Meeting with students at the International School Manila in Bonifacio Global City; Visited Corregidor Island and met with Filipino survivors of the Bataan March from World War II; visited the Manila American Cemetery in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

West Germany (Berlin; Frankfurt) March 20-22, 1976

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*Met with West German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt; West German Vice President Walter Scheel; Attended the 200th US Independence Bicentennial celebration festivities at the famous Paulschirke.

France (Paris) March 22-23, 1976

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*Met with French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing; Attended the International celebration festivities commemorating the US Bicentennial 1976 honoring 200 years of independence. Paid respects to the tomb of General de Lafayette at the Picpus Cemetery in Paris.

Iran (Kish Island) March 24-25, 1976
*Met with Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi and several government officials.


COMING UP IN CHAPTER 6 OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC: Part II of the list of international presidential trips of Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

INTERNATIONAL TRIPS (PART II):

Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur) March 26-28, 1976
*Met with Malaysian Prime Minister Hussein Onn; King and Queen of Malaysia; visited the tomb of Malaysian Prime Minister Abdul Razak at the National Heroes Mausoleum.

Singapore (Singapore) March 28-29, 1976
*State Visit: Met with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Kwan Yew.

Australia (Canberra; Sydney) March 30-April 1, 1976
*State Visit: Met with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser; attended reception at the US Embassy in Canberra; laid wreath at the Australian War Memorial.

Italy (Udine; Rome; Osoppo) May 13-14, 1976

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*Met with survivors of the Udine and Ossopo earthquake; addressed Joint Session of Parliament.

Taiwan (Yuanshan; Taipei) November 13-16, 1976
*Met with Taiwanese President Yen Chia-kan; addressed Joint Session of the Legislative Yuan.

Japan (Tokyo) November 16-19, 1976
*State Visit: Met with Emperor Hirohito; addressed US Forces Japan & Japanese Self Defense Force.

Holy See (Vatican City) December 16, 1976
*Met with Pope Paul VI at the Apolostic Palace.

COMING UP IN CHAPTER 6 OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC: Part III of the list of international presidential trips of Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

INTERNATIONAL TRIPS (PART III):

United Kingdom (London; New Carter) May 5-11, 1977
*Attended the 3rd G-7 Sunmit in London at 10 Downing Street; met with the Prime Ministers of Turkey, Greece, Belgium, Norway, the Netherlands and Luxembourg including the President of Portugal; addressed the NATO Ministers Meeting; met with Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

Switzerland (Geneva) May 9, 1977
*Met with Swiss President Kurt Furgler and Syrian President Hafez al-Assad.

Republic of Korea (Seoul) June 25-July 1, 1977
*State Visit: Met with ROK President Park Chung-hee and ROK First Lady Park Geun-hye; State Banquet at the Blue House; toured the DMZ at Camp Liberty Bell; visited UN Forces Command.

Sri Lanka (Sri Jayawandenepura Kotte) July 2-5, 1977
*Met with Sri Lankan President William Gopallawa and Sri Lankan Prime Minister Junuis Richard Jayewardne.

Thailand (Bangkok) July 6-8, 1977
*State Visit: Met with King Bhumbidol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit; Thai Prime Minister Thanin Kraivichien.

Singapore (Singapore) July 13-16, 1977
*Met with Singaporean President Benjamin Sheares and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Kwan Yew; addressed Joint Session of Parliament.

India (New Delhi; Daulatfur; Masirabad) July 17-22, 1977
*Met with Indian President Neelam Sanjaiva and Indian Prime Minister Moraji Desai; addressed Joint Session of Parliament.

Poland (Warsaw) December 29-31, 1977
*Met with Polish First Secretary Edward Gierek.

Iran (Tehran) December 31, 1977-January 3, 1978
*Met with Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi and King Hussein of Jordan.

Saudi Arabia (Riyadh) January 3-4, 1978
*Met with King Khalid and Crown Prince Fahd.

Egypt (Aswan) January 4, 1978
*Met with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and West German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt.

France (Paris; Normandy; Bayeux; Versailles) January 4-6, 1978
*Met with French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing and French Prime Minister Raymond Barre.

Belgium (Brussels) January 6, 1978
*Met with King Baudouin and Belgian Prime Minister Leo Tindemans; attended meetings of the Commission of the European Communities and North Atlantic Council.

Venezuela (Caracas) March 28-29, 1978
*Met with Venezuelan President Carlos Andres Perez; addressed Joint Session of the National Assembly; signed maritime boundary agreement.

Brazil (Brasilia; Rio de Janeiro) March 29-31, 1978
*Met with Brazilian President Ernesto Geisel; addressed Joint Session of the National Congress.

Nigeria (Lagos) March 31-April 3, 1978
*State Visit: Met with Nigerian President Olugsen Obasanjo.

Liberia (Monrovia) April 3-6, 1978
*State Visit: Met with Liberian President William R. Tolbert, Jr.,

Panama (Panama City) June 16-17, 1978
*Invited by Panamanian President William Alvarez and General Omar Torrijos signing protocol confirming exchange of documents ratifying the Panama Canal Treaties; met with Venezuelan President Carlos Andres Perez; Colombian President Major General Seymour Quintero; Mexican President General Oscar Robles; Costa Rican President Rodrigo Carazo Odio; Jamaican Prime Minister Michael Manley.

COMING UP IN CHAPTER 6 OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC: Part IV of the list of international presidential trips of Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

INTERNATIONAL TRIPS (PART IV)

West Germany (Bonn; Wiesbaden-Erbenheim; Frankfurt) July 14-15, 1978
*State Visit: Met with West German President Walter Scheel and West German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt; addressed US and German military personnel.

West Germany (West Berlin) July 15, 1978
*Spoke at the Berlin Airlift Memorial.

West Germany (Bonn) July 16-17, 1978
*Attended the 4th G-7 Summit at the Schamburg Palace; met with West German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt; French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing; Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau; Italian Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti; Japanese Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda; British Prime Minister James Callaghan and European Commission President Roy Jenkins. This was the last summit for President Rockefeller before his sudden death on January 26, 1979.

Paraguay (Asuncion) December 28-December 31, 1978
*Met with Paraguayan President General Alfredo Stroessner.

France (Basse-Terre; Guadeloupe) January 4-9, 1979
*Met informally with French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing; German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt; British Prime Minister James Callaghan during the Guadeloupe Conference.

Barbados (Bridgetown) January 9-12, 1979
*Met with the Prime Ministers of Barbados, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda; Saint Christopher and Nevis; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Haiti (Port-au-Prince) January 12-13, 1979
*Met with Haitian President Jean-Claude Duvailer; addressed the Joint Session of the National Assembly.

Brazil (Rio de Janiero; Sao Paulo; Brasilia) January 13-16, 1979
*Attended the Good Neighbor Policy Conference; met with Costa Rican President Rodrigo Cardazo Odio; El Salvadoran President Carlos Humberto Romero; Mexican President General Oscar Robles; Honduran President General Policarpo Paz Garcia; Guatemalan President General Fernando Romeo Lucas Garcia; Colombian President Major General Seymour Quintero; Jamaican Prime Minister Michael Manley; Brazilian President Ernesto Geisel and Uruguayan President Aparicio Mendez; spoke at the Theater Municipal in Rio de Janiero.

Argentine Republic (San Carlos de Bariloche; Buenos Aires) January 16-20, 1979

January 16, 1979: President Nelson Rockefeller and First Lady Happy Rockefeller during the State Banquet at Quinta de Olivos in Olivos, Argentine Republic.
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*State Visit: Delivered several addresses; toured the Nahuel Hupai National Park in Bariloche; held town hall meetings with young Argentine celebrities, entrepreneurs and leaders; laid wreath at the tomb of Argentinian General Jose de San Martin at the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral in Buenos Aires. Met with Argentine Republic President Lieutenant General Jorge Rafael Videla and Argentine Republic First Lady Alicia Raquel Hartridge LaCoste de Videla at the Casa Rosada (Government Office); joint press conference between Presidents Rockefeller and Videla occurred inside the Salon Blanco Room of the Casa Rosda; State Banquet was held at the Quinta de Olivos (Residence of the Argentine Republic President) in Olivos.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

AUTHOR'S NOTE ON CHAPTER 7: Good Morning Sietch family and friends. Beginning this week, I plan on unveiling Chapter 7 of The American Republic where the first couple of installments will focus on the following:
Spring 1979:
*President Holton delivers Special Address to Joint Session of Congress.
*Personal PoV's
*International Highlights

 

[Sergeant Foley]

Chapter 7: America Is For Lovers: The Presidency of Abner Linwood Holton, Jr.,
February 11, 1979
US House of Representatives Chambers, US Capitol
Washington, DC.

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President Linwood Holton appeared before a Joint Session of Congress, his first address to Congress as the 40th President of the United States since ascending to the Presidency on January 26th upon the sudden death of then-President Nelson Rockefeller.

During the speech, it was interrupted several times when Holton brought up specific points on what his administration plans on doing going forward. In the 37-minute speech, President Holton thanked his family; the American people, the international community and most of all the bipartisan congressional leadership in both houses of Congress for their words of encouragement, prayers over the past month since he ascended to the Presidency. Once again, President Holton urged calls of national unity and continuity. But the President's Special Address to Joint Session of Congress wasn't just more of typical phrases, he strongly emphasized continuing Rockefeller's Good Neighbor Policy as well as implementing the Camp David Summit Accords Treaties between Egypt and Israel.

Holton also called for action on energy by making the United States less dependent on foreign oil including reforming existing entitlement programs. He also repeated the call for Federal Rainy Day Fund: which would require the federal government spending at least a quarter of the surplus to paying down the national debt.

COMING UP IN CHAPTER 7 OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC: National and International Headlines from Spring 1979.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

BREAKING NEWS ALERTS: PRESIDENT HOLTON TO VISIT EGYPT AND ISRAEL NEXT MONTH

President Holton signing the Public Broadcasting Act into law on February 12th.
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*February 12, 1979: White House Press Secretary Ron Nessen confirmed reports that President Holton will be making visits to Egypt and Israel, set for March 8th to March 13th, signaling a continuation of the Camp David Summit Accords Treaties. Holton arrived at the briefing room to confirm the reports of the President's trip to the Middle East.

Both Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egypt President Anwar Sadat respectfully postponed further negotiations when news of the sudden death of then-President Nelson Rockefeller broke out all over the world back on January 26th. Begin and Sadat both were in attendance at Rockefeller's State Funeral services on February 3rd in Washington, DC. It was reported that President Holton personally met with both leaders at the White House in a private meeting to discuss further updates on the peace treaty.

During his address to the White House Press Corps, President Holton announced that he would personally endeavor in bringing the treaty to permanent conclusion by flying to the Middle East for talks with both countries.

REPORTS: PRESIDENT HOLTON NOMINATING US ATTORNEY GENERAL EDWARD W. BROOKE, III FOR THE VICE PRESIDENCY

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*February 13, 1979: During a press conference inside the East Room of the White House, President Holton dropped a huge political bombshell announcing his intention to nominate US Attorney General Edward W. Brooke, III to the Vice Presidency. Holton highlighted Brooke's years of public service as Massachusetts State Attorney General (1963-1967); United States Senator (1967-1977) and currently as the 72nd United States Attorney General since February 1, 1977 under Presidents Rockefeller (1977-79) and Holton. If confirmed, Brooke would become the first African American to hold the nation's second highest office.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

PRESIDENT HOLTON MAKES FIRST INTERNATIONAL TRIP; VISITS MEXICO.

*February 14-16, 1979: President Holton made the first international trip of his presidency by going to Mexico. Upon arrival at the airport, Holton was greeted by Mexican President General Oscar Robles and his wife, Mexican First Lady Fernanda Arizmendi including several other dignitaries. It was during the Arrival Honors Ceremony, where the 21 Cannon Salute was fired and the playing of the respective national anthems of the United States and Mexico; followed by the Honor Guard inspection and opening remarks, the Holton's and Robleses rode in the presidential limousine in a grand parade of thousands of cheering crowds waving American and Mexican flags. At the National Palace in downtown Mexico City, Presidents Holton and Robles held a joint press conference discussing specific issues relating to US/Mexico diplomatic relations such as trade deals, economic incentives, cooperation with the USMX Economic Initiative, continuation of the Good Neighbor Policy. There was a State Dinner held at Los Pinos (Residence of the Mexican President) in the evening hours of February 14th. The next day, Holton delivered a special address to a Joint Session of the Mexican Congress.

BREAKING NEWS ALERT: SOURCES STATE KENNEDY TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT IN 1980
*February 25, 1979: CBS News reported that United States Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) has formed an exploratory committee which sources detail the Senator has all but confirmed that he will indeed run for the Democratic Party presidential nomination in 1980.

The move doesn't come as a surprise considering Kennedy has been vocal in his attacks against the Holton administration's foreign policy, domestic and economic policies including the controversial sponsoring of Operation Condor which gave US-backed authoritarian dictatorships in Latin America the green-light to kidnap, torture and murder political opponents who speak out against these regimes.

An official announcement will come around May 25th.

BREAKING NEWS ALERT: BROOKE CONFIRMED BY THE US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; VP NOMINATION GOES TO THE UNITED STATES SENATE
*February 28, 1979: The Democratic-controlled US House of Representatives voted to confirm the nomination of US Attorney General Edward W. Brooke, III as the next Vice President of the United States by a vote of 313-124. The confirmation process has been smooth lately despite some heated moments in committee hearings.

All eyes will now go to the United States Senate, where confirmation hearings could have the potential to get somewhat intense.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

VIVA EL CANCER!
Spring 1979
Somewhere in the Middle East

Opponents of the Shah painted insulting defamatory graffiti when news of the Shah's health was declining.​

The insulting, offensive graffiti was painted on the walls that read "LONG LIVE CANCER!" as word leaked out about a particular controversial figure was dying of terminal cancer. The chants were obvious and downright escalating non-stop because some of those protesters were secretly celebrating about the impending end of this particular controversial figure in the Middle East.

Speaking of that controversial figure, known as "Mysterious Patient". He was struggling to breathe inside his hospital bed in the middle of the night and despite some attempts to sleep quietly......the pain was just too much to bear. The painful crying sounds sounded like an automobile loudly screeching before crashing; the time was 9:57 PM when "Mysterious Patient" couldn't sleep and was struggling to breathe when he ripped open his shirt in order to breathe as the machines were running out of control.

One of the nurses was shocked to see "Mysterious Patient" gasping for air as she tried to speak to him: "Sir, what's the matter?" All of a sudden, he started having seizures which alerted the emergency doctors to rush into the hospital room. The family of "Mysterious Patient" were advised to leave the room while the doctors and nurses were working on trying to save his life.

"We're losing him. Give me that electric device right now!" yelled one of the doctors as he tried to revive "Mysterious Patient". After more than 25+ minutes, one of the nurses called the time of death at 10:25 PM. The wife of "Mysterious Patient" never left her husband's side as she remained in the room including several of his family members. She began to cry as she hugged her late husband's body.

At 10:25 PM, an era ended in the Middle East as the ramifications were going to have major implications for the entire world.....

COMING UP IN CHAPTER 7 OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC: Regularly scheduled programming is interrupted.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

BREAKING NEWS ALERTS: MOHAMMED REZA SHAH PAHLAVI DIES FROM CANCER AT THE AGE OF 59; DETAILS COMING IN

Mohammed Reza Pahlavi
(October 26, 1919-March 12, 1979)
Shah of Iran
September 16, 1941-March 12, 1979
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CBS News Voiceover: "We interupt your regularly scheduled programming to bring you a CBS News Special Report."

Voiceover #2: "This is a special report from CBS News. Here is Walter Cronkite."

Cronkite: "Good afternoon everyone. This is Walter Cronkite of the CBS Evening News live from CBS News Headquarters in New York City. We've have gotten major breaking news, which will have major international implications.

According to the Associated Press, the United Press International and our CBS News Bureau in Washington, DC., there has been official confirmation coming out of Cairo, Egypt reporting that Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran, has died at 10:25 PM Egyptian Standard Time.

The statement reads, "The Royal Palace has announced the death of His Majesty, the Shah of Iran. The Shah died at Nilestone Maadi Hospital at 10:25 PM. The Queen and Royal Family will make an official statement tomorrow."

This major breaking news alert will most likely have strong international ramifications throughout the Middle East and the world going forward. Let's go to our State Department Correspondent for more information on today's breaking news on the death of the Shah....."

Correspondent #1: "Walter. The news coming out of Cairo was apparently shocking considering nobody realized how ill the Shah had been. Now according to reports, the Shah had been flown to Egypt for emergency medical treatment of an unspecified illness. Of course as you know, the news just broke and we're trying to get more details on the situation...................."
COMING UP IN CHAPTER 7 OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC: Ramifications of the death of the Shah and International implications.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

@bintananth @Buba @The Immortal Watch Dog @49ersfootball @Ibanez

AUTHOR'S NOTE ON CHAPTER 7 THIS WEEK: Coming up this week, I'll be slowly working on the following Installments:
*Ramifications on the death of the Shah
*State Funeral of the Shah and the Who's Who guest list of attendees.
*Profile on Farah Pahlavi

PS: Expect more Personal PoV's 😎

 

[Sergeant Foley]

COMING UP IN CHAPTER 7 OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC
Profile on CIA Director George Herbert Walker Bush

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[Sergeant Foley]

BREAKING NEWS ALERT: FARAH PAHLAVI BECOMES DE-FACTO HEAD OF STATE

*March 13, 1979: Due to the potential succession crisis on who'll ascend to the throne in Iran, it was decided that Farah Pahlavi, the wife of the late Shah will become the country's de-facto Head of State for the time being, She delivered a televised address from Cairo, Egypt thanking well-wishers, supporters, and others who expressed their condolences upon the death of her husband of 20 years, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi: "My family and I would like to thank all of you, who have given your condolences, prayers and words of comfort during this emotional time. I pledge to all of you that together, we will overcome the current challenges facing our beloved homeland." In her address, she detailed many of the countless accomplishments of her husband, pledging to begin series of domestic reforms as well as having Iranian Prime Minister Shapour Bakhitar and Iranian Parliament in implementing majority of the reforms such as economic incentives in improving the country's economic situation, etc.,

It is said that foreign policy and intelligence analysts aren't impressed with Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, whom many viewed as too young and inexperienced to succeed his father as the new King. Considering the current unrest inside Iran, it remains to be seen how long Her Imperial Majesty will remain Head of State although it might be awhile due to continuity, etc.,

WHO'S WHO IN ATTENDING THE SHAH'S STATE FUNERAL: DATE TBD
It was determined that a Who's Who list of foreign dignitaries will be making plans in attending the upcoming State Funeral of the Shah, where an official date for the funeral remains unknown for the moment. But there's confirmation of former US President Richard Nixon will be attending the services including US Treasury Secretary David Rockefeller; Mexican President General Oscar Robles; King Constantine II of Greece will be attending the State Funeral as well. Egyptian President Anwar Sadat will be hosting the State Funeral festivities in Cairo.

President Holton with former President Nixon in February 1979.​

 

[Sergeant Foley]

COMING UP IN CHAPTER 7 OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC
State Funeral of the Shah

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[Sergeant Foley]

@bintananth @The Immortal Watch Dog @49ersfootball @Ibanez

COMING UP THIS WEEK: I'll be working on the upcoming Installment about the State Funeral of the Shah.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

BREAKING NEWS ALERT: UNITED STATES SENATE OVERWHELMINGLY CONFIRMS BROOKE'S NOMINATION FOR VICE PRESIDENT

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*March 14, 1979: Despite some skirmishes and heated debates, the Democratic-controlled United States Senate voted overwhelmingly to confirm US Attorney General Edward W. Brooke, III to serve as the 43rd Vice President of the United States by a vote of 83-19. Just hours later, the former Attorney General of the United States was inaugurated to his new office during a special ceremony on the White House South Portico Grounds. At his own personal request, US Supreme Court Associate Justice Thurgood Marshall administered the oath of office to the 43rd Vice President, with President Linwood Holton and several high-ranking government officials in attendance.

During his brief inaugural speech, Brooke thanked President Holton for his confidence and outlined how he sees his role in the administration. "As Vice President of the United States, I will work closely with the President to make sure our administration------and ultimately our country------will always be successful and prosperous for all Americans. I will always be loyal and faithful to the Constitution and laws of the United States. And the people in the first place, and will always be your loyal partner in leading this great nation of ours, Mr. President. That doesn't mean we'll agree on everything in terms of policy because disagreement on issues is good for the basic fabric of American democracy as well as finding common ground in getting things done for the American people. Even if we don't find agreement on policy matters, I will give you my honest opinion behind closed doors, just as you asked me to do so. No leaks of any kind, no backstabbing. This is my promise to the American people and the President I was chosen to serve."

Brooke made history becoming the first African American Vice President of the United States, making him one of the highest-ranking African Americans to serve in the federal government.

Vice President Brooke leaves for first international visits: trips to the Middle East and Europe
*March 16, 1979: Less than two days after taking office, Vice President Brooke boarded Air Force Two in his first international trip that led him to the Middle East for various diplomatic consultations. In Cairo, he spoke with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat about bilateral issues including potential US/Egypt free trade agreement to deepening economic ties. He also met with Her Imperial Majesty Queen Farah Diba Pahlavi of Iran in private closed-door meeting, where he personally gave his condolences to her and the Pahlavi family on the passing of the late Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi.

Next he flew to Jerusalem, where he met with Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and discussed the latest developments of the Camp David Accords Middle East Peace Plan, which is the main foreign priority of the Holton administration. Following the meeting, Brooke told reporters that the talks were very productive and that another meeting between President Holton, President Sadat and Prime Minister Begin was a likely possibility. "I have stated that it is the official policy of the Holton administration to bringing diplomatic solution to long-time conflicts in the Middle East is necessary for long-lasting peace for future generations." Dates for potential meetings between the three Heads of State wasn't disclosed or named and there are some rumors of death threats aimed at Sadat for his participation in the 1978 Camp David Summit Accords Treaties, was not commented by the Egyptian delegation or members of Vice President Brooke's staff.

Brooke then flew to the United Kingdom, where he met with British Prime Minister James Callaghan, who was in the midst of an uphill reelection campaign, at 10 Downing Street discussing bilateral relations between their countries; He then flew to West Germany, where he addressed US and West German military personnel troops.

American journalists, foreign policy analysts and political experts concluded that Brooke's early departure for the international stage was a strong indication he had the staunch backing of President Holton. During press interactions, White House Chief of Staff Ann C. Whitman confirmed that Brooke would be kept on the ticket in a potential Holton reelection campaign in 1980.