Interviewer: A reporter of the Luxemburg Radio
Question: [The Shah intends to form a non-military government with the help of the moderate opponents. A representative of these opponents, Mr. Siddiqi «1» has said that he will respond within two weeks. Without doubt, it seems that some of the opponents are ready to compromise with the Shah. What will you do?]
Answer: They do not represent the nation to compromise with the Shah and the Shah has no base among the nation. Also there is no place for compromise at all.
Q: [Many political analysts, who return from Iran, like me, feel that the National Front is ready to compromise with the Shah. But they are afraid of you, Ayatullah Khomeini. What is your feeling about it?]
A: I do not have any information.
Q: [Many religious opponents, whom I met in my recent trip to Tehran, told me that after the Tasou`a and `Ashoura massive demonstrations, the next and final step will be your armed struggle. Does it mean that you, Ayatullah Khomeini, intend to launch a civil war in the country?]
A: I have not decided about it yet.
Q: [Cardinal Marni, a participant in the Pope elections, has raised a question: will there be any hope for peace in Iran after all these labors and sacrifices of the past weeks?]
A: So long as the Shah is there, the people will not keep quiet.
Q: [Do you have any message for the Christians during these days of December? «2»]
A: My message to the Christians of the world and the Church is that Islam has great respect for the Holy Christ (`a) and considers him the great messenger of God; also the Qur'an defends him and defends the Holy Mary. We, Muslims, consider Christ the great messenger of God; the Qur'an has called him the great messenger of God. With regard to the service Islam has rendered to the Holy Christ and Christianity, I request the Christian people to stand against the Shah and the Iranian government and defend the oppressed people of Iran and ask the Church fathers to pray for the Muslims. Since the Iranian government does not do anything except suppressing the oppressed Iranian nation, they may pray that the Iranian nation gets rid of the Shah and his government. We also pray that you may succeed against the infidels.
Q: [Your visa will expire on January 5. Is there any hope or news about its renewal?]
A: It is possible.