Two of the hostages in Iran John Limbert and Michael Metrinko, had served in the Peace Corps in Iran, were Farsi speakers, and were genuine lovers of Iranian culture



Metrinko, if anything, was even more in love with Iranian culture. He had hundreds of friends and frequently was out late, eating, drinking, smoking and talking into the wee hours about all things Iranian. As a hostage, he could never get over the irony that a nation that so valued hospitality could so corrupt that tradition by taking hostages. Metrinko did everything in his power to never let them forget that he was not a guest. A verbally sharp, whip-smart man, he chided and cursed his captors and made life as uncomfortable as he could; as a result, he spent the first eight months of his captivity in solitary confinement in a small closet in the basement. He slept on concrete and sometimes was handcuffed for as long as two weeks straight. At Christmas, when a genuine meal complete with special sweet treats was brought to him, he made sure they saw him take it and flush it down a toilet.

Two of the hostages in Iran John Limbert and Michael Metrinko, had served in the Peace Corps in Iran, were Farsi speakers, and were genuine lovers of Iranian culture

Filmmakers examine U.S., militant Islam Second of two parts

by Mark McDermott

The documentary has generated some of the highest ratings ever on the Times Discovery Channel. Perhaps most significantly, several former hostages commended Guests of the Ayatollah. Former hostage Bill Daugherty wrote that he had “no words to express my admiration for your work…it was a privilege to have participated in what will be a significant part of the historical record.”

[Excerpt]

Both the book and the documentary reveal a compelling cast of characters. Two of the state department officials, John Limbert and Michael Metrinko, had served in the Peace Corps in Iran, were Farsi speakers, and were genuine lovers of Iranian culture. Limbert had married an Iranian woman and lectured for several years at Iranian universities. He told Bowden that he couldn’t help but like the students even as they stormed the embassy. In the documentary, he talks about how he was sent out to try to calm the rallying students outside the embassy. “That didn’t go over very well,” Limbert dryly observes. He was immediately taken hostage.

Metrinko, if anything, was even more in love with Iranian culture. He had hundreds of friends and frequently was out late, eating, drinking, smoking and talking into the wee hours about all things Iranian. As a hostage, he could never get over the irony that a nation that so valued hospitality could so corrupt that tradition by taking hostages.

“I was attached to Iran, perhaps too attached,” he says in the documentary. “I liked Iran. I liked Iranians. I was sympathetic to their revolution and it bothered me they could not understand they had the support of many of us in the embassy.”

The students liked to think of the hostages as “guests of the Ayatollah.” Metrinko did everything in his power to never let them forget that he was not a guest. A verbally sharp, whip-smart man, he chided and cursed his captors and made life as uncomfortable as he could; as a result, he spent the first eight months of his captivity in solitary confinement in a small closet in the basement. He slept on concrete and sometimes was handcuffed for as long as two weeks straight. At Christmas, when a genuine meal complete with special sweet treats was brought to him, he made sure they saw him take it and flush it down a toilet.

Aaron Bowden said that Metrinko still rankles at the memories.

When this story was posted in September 2006, this was on the front page of PCOL:




Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers

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Chris Shays Shifts to Favor an Iraq Timetable In a policy shift, RPCV Congressman Chris Shays, long a staunch advocate of the Bush administration's position in Iraq, is now proposing a timetable for a withdrawal of American troops. How Mr. Shays came to this change of heart is, he says, a matter of a newfound substantive belief that Iraqis need to be prodded into taking greater control of their own destiny under the country’s newly formed government. As Chairman of the House Government Reform subcommittee on national security, he plans to draft a timetable for a phased withdrawal and then push for its adoption. A conscientious objector during the Vietnam War who said that if drafted he would not serve, Chris Shays has made 14 trips to Iraq and was the first Congressman to enter the country after the war - against the wishes of the Department of Defense.

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The Peace Corps Library The Peace Corps Library is now available online with over 40,000 index entries in 500 categories. Looking for a Returned Volunteer? Check our RPCV Directory or leave a message on our Bulletin Board. New: Sign up to receive our free Monthly Magazine by email, research the History of the Peace Corps, or sign up for a daily news summary of Peace Corps stories. FAQ: Visit our FAQ for more information about PCOL.

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Peace Corps' Screening and Medical Clearance The purpose of Peace Corps' screening and medical clearance process is to ensure safe accommodation for applicants and minimize undue risk exposure for volunteers to allow PCVS to complete their service without compromising their entry health status. To further these goals, PCOL has obtained a copy of the Peace Corps Screening Guidelines Manual through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and has posted it in the "Peace Corps Library." Applicants and Medical Professionals (especially those who have already served as volunteers) are urged to review the guidelines and leave their comments and suggestions. Then read the story of one RPCV's journey through medical screening and his suggestions for changes to the process.

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The Peace Corps is "fashionable" again The LA Times says that "the Peace Corps is booming again and "It's hard to know exactly what's behind the resurgence." PCOL Comment: Since the founding of the Peace Corps 45 years ago, Americans have answered Kennedy's call: "Ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man." Over 182,000 have served. Another 200,000 have applied and been unable to serve because of lack of Congressional funding. The Peace Corps has never gone out of fashion. It's Congress that hasn't been keeping pace.

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Support the US-Peruvian Trade Pact Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo, the Peace Corps President, has been lobbying both Democratic and Republican legislators to support the US-Peruvian trade pact before July 28, when his term ends and a US congressional recess begins. If President Bush fails to get approval before Congress goes on recess, it will be a case study proving that the United States does not reward its friends. Please call your representatives.

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PC will not return to East Timor in 2006 Volunteers serving in East Timor have safely left the country as a result of the recent civil unrest and government instability. Latest: The Peace Corps has informed us that at this time, the Peace Corps has no plans to re-enter the country in 2006. The Peace Corps recently sent a letter offering eligible volunteers the opportunity to reinstate their service in another country.

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First Amendment Watch Maine Web Report hit with Federal Lawsuit Website wins trademark suit against Jerry Falwell

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PCOL readership increases 100% Monthly readership on "Peace Corps Online" has increased in the past twelve months to 350,000 visitors - over eleven thousand every day - a 100% increase since this time last year. Thanks again, RPCVs and Friends of the Peace Corps, for making PCOL your source of information for the Peace Corps community. And thanks for supporting the Peace Corps Library and History of the Peace Corps. Stay tuned, the best is yet to come.

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History of the Peace Corps PCOL is proud to announce that Phase One of the "History of the Peace Corps" is now available online. This installment includes over 5,000 pages of primary source documents from the archives of the Peace Corps including every issue of "Peace Corps News," "Peace Corps Times," "Peace Corps Volunteer," "Action Update," and every annual report of the Peace Corps to Congress since 1961. "Ask Not" is an ongoing project. Read how you can help.

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RPCV admits to abuse while in Peace Corps Timothy Ronald Obert has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a minor in Costa Rica while serving there as a Peace Corps volunteer. "The Peace Corps has a zero tolerance policy for misconduct that violates the law or standards of conduct established by the Peace Corps," said Peace Corps Director Gaddi H. Vasquez. Could inadequate screening have been partly to blame? Mr. Obert's resume, which he had submitted to the Peace Corps in support of his application to become a Peace Corps Volunteer, showed that he had repeatedly sought and obtained positions working with underprivileged children. Read what RPCVs have to say about this case.

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