Interviewer: Dutch Radio-Television reporter
Question: [In your opinion, what is the cause of the recent demonstrations in Iran? What do you anticipate to happen?]
Answer: The cause is what the Shah has been doing all along. People are frustrated over strangulations and killings, and demonstrations are spreading. A greater revolution is expected to occur if the situation worsens. If the Shah comes to his senses and withdraws soon enough, relative peace may be maintained.
Q: [What is your political plan? Will you consider armed combat, or will the assassination of the Shah be an acceptable method?]
A: Our plan is that by continuing these current demonstrations, things will work out, God willing. And if we realize that the matters are not solvable, we will reconsider armed combat.
Q: [What kind of regime will you want to replace this current one with? Do you believe that Islamic civilization and the present Western civilization are incompatible?]
A: The regime which will replace the Shah's cruel regime is a just one, whose like cannot and will not be found in the western democracy. Our desired democracies may be similar to those of the West's, but the kind of democracy we are looking for does not exist in the West. Islam's democracy is more perfect than the West's.
Q: [You have recently denied the kingship article that was added to the constitutional law «1» in 1906; would you explain about that?]
A: Today, the whole nation of Iran has stood up and does not want the monarchial regime. The monarchial regime that is supported by constitutional law must be in accordance with the nation's vote, and the whole nation has voted against it. Therefore, the monarchial regime is condemned and must be completely eradicated.
Q: [In fighting against the Shah, wouldn't it be better if Your Eminence accepted the Shah's invitation to Iran and returned there?]
A: I would prefer to remain here in order to make the world aware. Strangulation still exists in Iran, thus going to Iran is called off for the time being.