Interview [The communists' condition in Iran; the political and economic betrayals of the Shah]

 Interviewer: A reporter of Germany's Swiss language Radio-Television
Question: [Your Eminence, in Iran everything depends on the Shah. No political movement can breathe anywhere near him. You are for the Shah's departure. Are you not encouraging chaos and disorder? Will the Marxists not be able to draw the country toward atheism?]
Answer: All the things that depended on the Shah fell apart, and now the Shah plays no role in Iran. All these riots and disputes occurred because the Shah was despotic and treacherous to the nation. It was the despotism and betrayal that caused these problems. If the Shah leaves and the Islamic government and Islamic republic replaces this regime, all these riots will obviate and Iran will become truly democratic. But the Marxists and communists don't play any role in Iran- where there are over thirty million Muslims, all standing up crying for Islam- and we are not afraid of them at all.
Q: [Your Eminence Ayatullah had an important discussion with Karim Sanjabi from the National Front in Paris. Will you struggle jointly with this political party? I mean, will you form a coalition?]
A: I told him the points and issues that are on my mind and it is impossible that I would step back from them even one step and we have not formed a coalition with any particular front. The whole nation is with us and we are with the whole nation. And anyone who agrees with our concerns, which are independence of the country along with total freedom and the Islamic republic, which is the replacement for the monarchy, is of our group and of our nation. And if he disagrees, he has stepped away from the interests of Islam and the nation, and we will have no relations with him. And those who agree with us, we will be one voice with them, though we don't have a particular connection with anyone.
Q: [Your Eminence Ayatullah, Americans have great influence in Iran's army. Why is the army still loyal to the Shah? Do you think the army's loyalty to the Shah will continue? Or, are the opposition forces so strong that they can pull the Shah down and overthrow him, regardless of the army's support?]
A: Under the present circumstances and the Revolution of the people, it is not clear that the army is loyal to the Shah or not because the nation is from them, and they are of the nation. And the people, through the solidarity they have among themselves, have the power to eventually absorb the army. It is the Americans who have preserved the army in order to save the Shah, through their influence in the army. Otherwise, it's not evident that the army itself is loyal, and if it is such a little bit, the nation will absorb them.
Q: [Iran has great economic and strategic significance for the West. Does Your Eminence Ayatullah believe that Americans are willing to jeopardize their stance in the Persian Gulf region by allowing essential changes in Iran?]
A: The danger directed toward the region is due to the Shah's unworthiness and the corruption in his government organizations and the ruling system. We know that industrial countries need oil along with other things. But, we rely on the nation, and the Islamic republic is one which relies on the people and must be free and independent and not affiliated anywhere. God willing, we would provide their needs with the materials that we have, in due time, in such a way that mutual respect is maintained between those countries and ourselves. And we would give our oil to the customers if they observe our interests. And if a risk arises, it would be from their side because of wanting to treat us unjustly and not from our side where we would want to act fairly and observe mutual respect. This stubborn American support of the Shah may ignite a great explosion causing political, social and financial problems. America must stop its stubbornness.
Q: [Your Eminence Ayatullah, banks are one of the targets of the people's attacks. Switzerland is a country with important international banks. And it appears that a great deal of Iranian capitals has definitely been transferred to Swiss banks. What do you think about this?]
A: The destructions that have taken place in Iran and the Iranian uprising are due to the corruption in the ruling body. And it is also due to the illogical acts of the Shah. The devastations all over the country, caused by the Shah's agents, are meant to stigmatize the people, and to misrepresent the Iranian peoples' genuine struggles, by their attack to the center of exploitation and prostitution and corruption, which shows their hatred for anything that leads to deviation and plundering. Right now, the local and foreign broadcasting services report that some groups of bullies or a number of commandos attack the cities of Iran guised as kolis and natives, and perform the act of sabotage. And these acts are what undermine the stability of the country. If the Shah leaves and the Islamic republic, which is the true democratic government, takes its place, these riots will end and stability will return to the country. The regime of Iran would turn into a democracy which will create stability in the region, and capital will return to Iran and be used to the people's advantage.
Q: [Your Eminence Ayatullah, the present regime's economic policy has led to Iran's severe dependency on foreign countries. Is it possible to return to an independent economic policy? How will you do that?]
A: One of the treacheries the Shah has committed is making our economy dependent on foreigners. Our economy, because of the Shah's acts, whether in land reform, which has completely corrupted agriculture, or in extremely high overheads being wasted, like buying excessive weapons, not only has no benefit for our nation, but it is also damaging. And by those weapons, bases have been built for foreigners, etc. This would make the economy weak and disintegrate it, and will loosen the economic foundations. Our people with the present Revolution could put all affairs along the correct and independent channel.
Q: [Your Eminence Ayatullah, yesterday Amini «1» met with the Shah. If he gets appointed as prime minister, do you think this would be the last chance to save the regime?]
A: Nothing will give the Shah a chance to survive. The whole nation of Iran has revolted in the cities, and they will not calm down until the Shah leaves, and no one can save the Shah. He has no choice but to leave, and the superpowers have no choice but not to disagree with our nation, and if they do, things will get worse for them.