Interviewer: (British) Reuter Press
Question: [What is the political and social nature of your regime? Some say Islam is conservative.]
Answer: Islam is the religion of progression. The Qur'an is the way to human progression and flourishing. Let us see what the disputes are over the Shah's regime. He has an affiliated regime dependent on America that promotes American plans in Iran, and these plans have dragged Iran toward desolation. He has furnished Russians with a part of the country's wealth resources, in order to keep things in balance. Islam wants Iran to be independent. Which of these two is considered conservative? The Shah's regime has demolished all freedoms in Iran. We should not have wanted freedom of votes and equality in economic and political opportunities, if we were conservatives. But, Islam is in such a high level of perfection that it has from the beginning based its progress on free discussions, and the fight against censorship. The Shah's regime, according to the confessions of its puppets in the parliament, media and government, has been drowned in corruption, and the engineers of this regime have stolen and squandered billions of this country's wealth; is it being conservative to oppose this corruption? The Shah's regime has completely shattered the national economy. Frequent warnings were given to this effect, years ago. But the Shah has been busy spending millions of dollars on advertising for the" economic miracle" and" the unique growth of Iran"; is opposing the devastation of the country's economy, being conservative? This regime has committed hundreds of treasons to the country that will make such a long list; is opposing these treacheries being conservative? In fact, it is not the confrontation between the conservatives and the progressives that Iran is dealing with, but it is rather the confrontation between the whole nation- who not only wants its legitimate right for real progress, but also demands its right to live- and a regime who is an unquestionable American element endangering Iran's entity. The world media should give this warning to the people around the globe. To handle their own crises, the giants of the world, roll the countries under their domination down the slope of destruction, and in order to mislead the public opinion of their people, they hide the truth from their people, and exhibit the fight for rights and real progress as the fight between the conservatives and progressives of the most degraded regimes.
Q: [How are the relations of this movement with the opposition parties and groups?]
A: All groups are free in expressing their opinions; however, we will not allow treason.
Q: [If the Shah resigns, what would the new regime be like? Will the religious authorities rule themselves?]
A: The religious authority will not rule by themselves; they will rather supervise and direct those executive affairs. This government will rely on the people's votes and will be under public control, evaluation and criticism at all times.
Q: [What is your analysis of the Iranian army? What role will they play?]
A: The Iranian army is under American domination. We will banish them and will return them to their real duty and role which is defending the country.
Q: [How should the relations between Iran and the West be adjusted? Are you anti-West?]
A: No, We are not anti-West. We are seeking independence and we will lay the foundation of our relation with the West upon that. We want people of Iran not be westernized and proceed toward progression and civilization on national and religious bases.
Q: [What do you think of the Soviets?]
A: The Soviets support the Shah. Even their representatives at the United Nations supported the Shah. The Soviets too, just as the Americans and the British, have committed and will commit any crime to swallow Iran's wealth.
Q: [Shi`ism has a liberal and revolutionary tradition, talk about the tradition of objection in Shi`ism, if you may?]
A: Shi`ism has fought for a just government from the beginning.