Interviewers: Reporters from Brazil, Britain, Thailand, Japan, America, etc.
Question: [After all these recent annoyances and commotions of the students, «1» and the subsequent establishment of the military government, does Your Eminence Ayatullah believe that the current situation is for the overthrowing of the Shah? And has the arrest of Hoveyda, the former prime minister, caused any changes in the circumstances? And finally, would you encourage and invite your supporters to an armed struggle against the Shah?]
Answer: The military government has no effect on Iran's affairs, but it plays a major role in intensifying uneasiness, strikes and demonstrations. So, this is how matters have been getting worse since the military government's establishment. The arrest of Hoveyda won't do any good either. This is another maneuver that they think will be effective in calming down the people. The only thing that could undoubtedly be effective is if the Shah himself and his dynasty leave, then a relative tranquility will follow. Although this is our method of struggle for now, which I hope it will solve all the problems, but if it takes a long time, and we are left with no other choice, then we would re-consider the matter.
Q: [Your Eminence Ayatullah, is interested in replacing the present regime with an Islamic republic. Would such a government guarantee democratic freedoms for everyone? And what role would you personally play in such a government? Also, regarding the democratic freedoms, we would like to know whether or not the communists or the Marxists would enjoy freedom of thought and speech.]
A: The Islamic government is a democratic government in the true sense of the word, and under which, there are equally complete freedoms for all religious minorities, and everyone will be able to express his or her opinion. And Islam has the responsibility to answer every opinion, and the Islamic government will answer logic with logic. But I am not active within the government and will act the same way as I am right now, and when the Islamic government takes form, I will take a guiding role.
Q: [What will be the Islamic republic's foreign policy, particularly in connection with the superpowers?]
A: The Islamic government's policy would be maintaining independence and freedom of the nation, government and country, and mutual respect after achieving complete independence, and there won't be any difference between the superpowers and others.
Q: [You have denounced the West's influence, especially America's. How could this influence be limited? As it goes now, Iran is dependent on Western technology, and the West is also in severe need of your raw oil?]
A: It is the intention of the Islamic government and our nation to end the influence of the West and all other countries in Iran. When an entire nation, with all sectors rise toward a single goal, no influence can impose on them anything other than that. And about the oil, once we gain our independence and control over the oil, we will sell our oil the way that we choose, and spend the money earned on our country's affairs. We have no problems with selling our oil, but we don't want to sell it the way it is being sold now.
Q: [How long would Your Eminence wait while the Shah is in power, before you call for an armed holy struggle?]
A: Until I become certain that we won't achieve our goals this way.
Q: [There has been an order issued for a general strike next Sunday in Tehran. Is this supposed to mark the beginning of serious confrontation with the present military government in Iran?]
A: This type of struggle has always been serious, but the amplitude has fluctuated. However, the military rulership and the government have caused more disturbances among the people, and the expansion of our strikes and demonstrations.
Q: [What are the outcomes of your negotiations with Dr. Karim Sanjabi and the National Front?]
A: There was no negotiation in the sense that an agreement was reached. I presented what I had in mind and they accepted. I present what people have always wanted; whoever accepts, has acted according to the people's wishes.
The people's wish is to overthrow the Shah and to establish an Islamic republic. Take a look at the demonstrations.