Interview [Describing Iran's future]

 Interviewer: A reporter of the French newspaper, Le Figaro
[Reporter's Introduction:
Khomeini:" Bare chests cannot be held before gun barrels forever."
There is a different world half an hour away from the city of Paris. Ayatullah Khomeini, whose name is a symbol of opposition against the Shah, resides in a small district of a Parisian suburb. Gendarmerie patrols, radar equipped vehicles and secret police are all the signs of proximity to his residence. As we turn in to the corner of the house, a crowd appears, a crowd of people showing respect, made up of some religious and hard-working people and Iranian students who have come from Germany, Tunisia and Britain. We take our shoes off before entering, as if we were entering a mosque. In a small room, Ayatullah Khomeini is sitting on a mattress. There are some pieces of paper and books scattered around him. Ayatullah Khomeini, dressed in gray and wearing a black turban, speaks to us in a low tone, with dignity.]
Question: [Regarding the resistance among the challengers of this regime, people have this question in mind," Is this a religious movement that intends to return to the Islamic traditions?"]
Answer: Those who oppose Iran's regime and this movement are being victimized by the propaganda that alienates them from their own nature. When we speak of Islam, it does not mean turning our backs to growth and progress; it is just the opposite. We believe that Islam is essentially a progressive religion, and as a matter of fact, we are inimical to the regimes that exercise dictatorship and injustice under the guise of modernity. These regimes, like the Shah's, deviate the progress already made from their main course and make them unattractive to those men and women who must benefit from them, and make them appear meaningless, but before anything, we think that pressure and strangulation are not the means of progression.
Q: [Is this movement connected to the movements of the leftists and the left extremists?]
A: We have always avoided unanimity with these parties; however, today, all Iranian oppositions have become one and demonstrated together under the banner of religion, and in the name of Islam's true meaning. There is a good reason for that. The leftist or communist groups have almost disintegrated. They cannot have a share of this ongoing popular movement; so, naturally, the regime is trying to attribute Marxist remarks to those fighting against the Shah's dictatorship, in order to mislead the public opinion, particularly across the border.
Q: [But regardless of their intentions, the Marxists have been using religion in their struggle against the Shah. Will the religionists gradually be pushed aside by the left extremist parties, and will these parties soon start organizing the strikes and protests and directing them whichever way they want?]
A: Take a look at the recent major protests. The religionists mobilized one million people, and always, and in every case, used religious slogans. That very same religion has always put them together and organized them; not even once has a leftist or extremist slogan been heard or seen.
Q: [The resistance against the Shah started with relatively peaceful strikes and demonstrations in its early stages ... and there were no entrenchments built or arms held against the army or the police. Do you think that this is the only option for the time being, or could there be other ways such as turning to armed struggle?]
A: Even after Friday «1» that left so many people murdered in Tehran, we still kept the same trend of struggle. As the whole world knows, our message did not change by that clash, and this movement is going to keep its usual course. Nevertheless, I have been asked whether it is yet the time to change course and start an armed confrontation, in response to the dictatorship's employment of the army. I have said no. However, today I am asking myself this question- could the bare chest be held before gun barrels forever? So far, in compliance with my guidelines regarding maintaining our peaceful struggle, we have not changed our routines, but I may be forced to do so.
Q: [In fact, which is the direction of your actions, and what kind of regime do you have in mind to replace the Shah's?]
A: Keeping the Shah's regime is indisputably unacceptable. We have always been against it." Overthrow" is the unchangeable target of our resistance. Besides, it is not the legal form of the regime that counts, but rather its content. An Islamic republic can naturally come into consideration, because we believe that noble understanding of Islam will lead us toward advancement of a society which is very talented, has a lot of manpower and social justice. Before anything, we have set our hopes on the social contents of the future political regime.
Q: [But is the regime (government) you wanted a democratic one? For example, are you in favor of freedom of the press, multi-party system and freedom of parties and syndicates?]
A: We want a regime that observes all freedoms. As in every people-based government, Iran's future regime's bounds should embrace the interests of the whole community, and be particular about the dignity of the Iranian society, because offering an unrestricted society would rob men and women of their dignity.
Q: [Is there a place for the religious minorities, which are of a great number, in the Islamic Republic of Iran?]
A: The Shah's regime did not treat the religious minorities any better than the Muslims. After eliminating the dictatorship, and establishing an independent regime, we will naturally pay the highest respect to different religious beliefs. The standards of living for the Muslim majority and religious minorities will become very good.
Q: [Obviously, the present regime will keep defending itself. What is this regime going to rely on? Who will support it and how will it get the power to hammer down the opponents?]
A: There is no force inside the country supporting the Shah's dictatorship. All we have to do is to take a look at what is going on inside the country. This is a simple matter. As regards other countries, the United States in particular, they support the Shah's regime. If they stop their support, the Shah's regime will immediately collapse.
Q: [Despite all these, the Shah can count on the army and a violent regime, and that is quite a possibility.]
A: The vital issue about the army is its structure, which is identified by its leader and the chain of command, and up until now, the army has been under the care of a leader who is practically American. This army has been directed and trained, even at higher levels, by American advisors and technicians; however, some clear signs of awakening can be seen among the officers and soldiers in their confrontation with the people. Keep in mind that after all, they are Iranians, and in clashes, there are other Iranians standing against them. In some cases, it has been shown that, rather than throwing stones at the soldiers, the demonstrators have offered them flowers, and many soldiers have been seen crying after receiving the flowers, and in some instances the soldiers committed suicide after shooting at the demonstrators. This tragic situation will continue as long as the Iranian army is under America's supervision.