In His Most Exalted Name
Rabi` al-Awwal 21,1398 AH
His Venerable Eminence `Imad al-A`lam wa Thiqat al-Islam Aqa Shaykh Sadiq Khalkhali, may his bounties last long:
After extending my greetings and best wishes, I would like to say that I have perused your letter that contained intelligent and fearless exhortations. Do not think that I am indifferent and that whatever I approve of is because of the toleration shown in the past. You are not aware of the inside information that I have and which I have not divulged. However, the interests should be kept in mind to the extent that they are not against the public good. What the various groups have in view in most of their writings and sayings is to divert public opinion from the actual culprit. Wretched are those that are compelled to act and are accused of being headstrong. Wretched are those that have not massacred people to an adequate extent and must be tried and stripped of their rank and position. Such is the reasoning of the establishment, and these matters confirming it; one hand ruling over all.
I am not in proper condition to bother you more than this. I have fever and a cold at present, but it is not important. I will not and cannot forget you and the others. I beseech God the Almighty to rectify matters. May peace be upon you.