Interviewers: A group of Norwegian reporters and reporters of the Financial Times (London) and ar-Ra'y (Tunisia)
Question: [What are the future plans of Your Eminence for the future of Iran?]
Answer: God willing we will establish an Islamic government in Iran after the Shah has gone. We will hold a referendum on the type of political system, that is, the Islamic Republic, and will make up for all the shortcomings that the Shah has thus far created.
Q: [In case of the Shah's collapse, will Your Eminence go back to Iran to form a new government? Some people believe that you will go back to Iran before the collapse of the Shah. What is the Ayatullah's opinion?]
A: Whenever I deem it appropriate, I will go back to Iran, either before or after the collapse of the Shah.
Q: [Is your presumed new government a hundred percent Islamic, in the sense that there will be no place for the Jews, Christians and other religious minorities in the future government?]
A: Of course there will be a place for the religious minorities in the Islamic government. Currently they have their representatives in the Parliament. We maintain this right for them in the Islamic government as well.
Q: [What will be the nature of the future government's relations with the West? Should all the foreigners who are in Iran leave the country?]
A: Not only do we not have any ill-will against the Western nations, but we are cordial with them; however, we are not in good terms with the governments that have ill-treated us. Anyway, we will treat the Westerners fairly and will never treat anybody unjustly.
Q: [What is the opinion of the Ayatullah about the Soviet Union and the communists?]
A: The Soviet Union is among the countries that have transgressed upon us and we are not satisfied with it. The social conditions of Iran are such that communism does not have any place in it.
Q: [Do you advocate the formation of a federation of the Islamic governments in the region?]
A: If the conditions are congenial, it may be possible.
Q: [Does the Ayatullah have any relations with Mu`ammar Qaddafi of Libya?]
A: No, but I sent him a message with regard to an issue and he responded. «1»
Q: [If the present regime of Iran collapses and an Islamic government is established, will the land reforms carried out by the Shah be set aside and will the lands confiscated from the landlords be returned to them?]
A: No, the lands will not be returned to the landlords. The landlords have not paid the Islamic taxes throughout history and all of their lands will be handed over to the government.
Q: [What are your plans, opinion and guidelines for your supporters during the month of Muharram?]
A: I have asked my friends to hold the sessions more vigorously than ever and hold the sessions of this month without seeking any permission from the government. And if the government bans the sessions, they should hold them outside the religious premises, on the streets and alleys, and thus continue the movement.
Q: [We see that a complete unity has been forged among the forces opposing the Shah, either religious or political forces inside the country and all of them say that the Shah must go. What is vague for us is the kind of system that is to replace the Shah and win the support of all the forces?]
A: We intend to replace the monarchical regime with an Islamic government in its true sense. We will hold referendum on the republican system and since the Iranians are all Muslims, they will vote for it. After their confirmation, the Islamic Republic will be established.
Q: [Although some people try to label the religious movement of Iran as a reactionary one, the Tunisians and the Muslims in Tunisia are inclined toward the religious movements in Iran. Do you have any message for the Tunisian people?]
A: My message for all the nations of the world, particularly the world Muslims, is that the Iranian nation has risen up to restore the rights which had been withheld from them and the sultans have usurped and blocked their rights throughout history. Hence, I request all the world nations and the honorable Muslims to assist the genuine Islamic movement and the Iranian nation. The humanity of the world people entails that they transmit the voice of our oppressed nation to the world. Moreover, it is the duty of the Muslims to assist those who have been oppressed.