Letter [to Yasir `Arafat]

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

The honorable Yasir `Arafat, the Head of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization:

I received your letter dated Ramadan al-Mubarak 18,1398 AH, sent through your special representative. I wish to thank the Palestine Revolution and your honor for the kindness and support shown to the Iranian nation at a time when Iran is plunged in blood and fire. Following the peaceful and logical demonstrations held by people for gaining their basic rights, the Shah who had been harassed by the rightful uprisings of the people that took place throughout Iran; the Shah who had been defeated in his acts of imprisonment, exile, torture, suppression,, murder and plunder, has declared martial law without any legal authorization in twelve large cities. Moreover, he has opened fire, as done in the past, on the vigilant, freeborn, defenseless people of Iran of which more than four thousand have been reportedly killed up to now.

The Iranians who have been driven to extremities because of the crimes of the Shah in the course of his illegitimate rule, and that have risen to regain their lost freedom and independence, do not want the Shah who is rapidly leading the country towards spiritual and material ruination. The Shah is giving the oil of the Islamic country of Iran to Israel in order to crush the Muslims. Whoever, in Iran, protests this inhuman act is answered by bayonets. The usurpers of Muslim rights have now imposed the Shah on the nation.

The honorable Abou `Ammar!

Regarding the Palestine question, we have always opposed the Shah, Israel and their supporters. We have been the supporters of the Palestinians, and have been in consonance with you. We have informed the nations of Israel's cruelties. Now that the people of Iran are under the boots of the

Shah's tyrants, and are surrounded by tanks, cannons, and machine-guns; now that Israeli soldiers are assisting in killing the defenseless Iranians in the streets of Tehran, you must join us and, with your means of propaganda, make our voice heard the world over.

Now, the supposedly revolutionary Red China, America, the personification of exploitation, the Soviet Union, the source of hypocrisy and lies, and England, the veteran colonizer, are all supporting the Shah and have risen to crush the nation that wants to stand on its own feet, being inclined to neither East nor West. In such circumstances, the Shah with utter shamelessness is saying that the defenseless nation is a mixture of red communists and black reactionaries. Nevertheless, I am sure that the victory of our alert nation is certain.

I pray to God the Almighty for your success in crushing the usurper Israel and for the independence of Islamic countries. May God's peace, mercy and blessings be upon you.

Rouhullah al-Mousawi al-Khomeini