Statements [Abolition of Provincial and District Councils Bill and its consequences]

The government and the nation must be unified so that the people would support the government if any problems or incidents come about for the government or country. Although the Provincial and District Councils Bill is over now and things have been agreed upon in general, the issue continues to appear here and there in the papers and magazines and also in the lectures; and regarding the resolution of the problem, following it up in the press will not result in anything but racking nerves. Public opinion and feelings have been under great strain for two months and need a rest, so they should not excite them again, by saying and writing on these matters.

His Excellency Mr. Prime Minister «2» has announced in a recent speech," We started the reforms, but now some persons are making obstacles"; if he means the clergymen and akhounds, they are the supporters of the reforms. If the government builds factories, strengthens the culture and promotes agriculture with modern methods, or commits itself to developing industry, medication and health, we will support the government and help them, too. No akhounds protest these reformist commitments, do they? The government and the people should not be separate, if they are, then the nation will take pleasure in the troubles of the government and people will dodge paying taxes and work; but if they are united, people would even sell the carpets covering their rooms to assist the government.

The propaganda organization of television belongs to a detested minority «3» and it is going to be expanded all over the country. In addition to his domination over our country's economy its owner possesses the Pepsi Cola factory which is an espionage center. They are going to show modern and past women on TV on Dey 17, «4» and some women intend to demonstrate against the suspension of the Provincial and District Councils Bill. A number of citizens from Tehran and other provinces have already come to us maintaining that they will react if such an act is done, and they will commemorate those killed in Gawhar Shad mosque in a meeting on the same day. Can you imagine what will happen if gangs of ruffians and cutthroats hold a rally against the 22 factions of the fair sex? Having this in my mind, I answered those citizens that such an action is not so probable.

I hope the officials will report this to their headquarters so that the ceremony on Dey 17 might not be overstated and not provoke people who are agitated already by the television organization of Baha'is. The Baha'i League and the Pepsi Cola factory are espionage institutions of the Jews of Palestine. «5»

Another more important matter of which I have informed the Prime Minister myself, and cannot be talked of explicitly in front of an audience [he refrains from saying], «6» is that if they do it, «7» things will not be the same as the Provincial and District Councils Bill. Besides, the people of this country and even other countries will protest it so strongly that it will not be possible to stop it and the government cannot destroy all people with arms. I hope, God willing, that things will not go like that, for it would be formidable. God bears witness that every now and then, when people come to me to take advice about protesting the government, I get so unhappy and grieved thinking, why the nation should be separate from the government. What is the reason for these events and actions that brings disgrace and embarrassment to the Iranian nation in front of other nations of the world?

An effort should be made to do away with any discord and disharmony between his Royal Majesty, the government and the people, and they should all work for the grandeur of the country. The clergy, tradesmen and the public servants should all have this same aim. «8»