Interviewer: French reporter of the Le Monde newspaper
Question: [Why have you announced Bakhtiyar's government illegal?]
Answer: For two reasons. Firstly, because this government is appointed by the Shah; this regime was illegal before the Tasou`a, and `Ashoura demonstrations and the mentioned demonstrations were almost a kind of referendum to determine the illegality of Shah's regime. Secondly, neither the Majlis, nor the Senate, have any stance among the nation, and the deputies of these two assemblies, who should give vote of confidence to the cabinet members, are elected by the nation.
Q: [In case of Bakhtiyar's failure, do you consider possible the occurrence of a military coup, to oust the Shah and be dependent on the exemplary units of the Army, such as the commandos and the Air Forces and Gendarmerie?]
A: The occurrence of such a coup is plausible. In this case, this would be the last stone the regime is hurling on the nation. And the nation is determined to continue its struggle through establishing an Islamic government, and any other kind of government will be encountered with the nation's disagreement.
Q: [In case of becoming victorious, what would be your idea, and what would you do about fundamental foundations?]
A: We will appoint a committee to make necessary consultations on the formation of a Majlis. The nation has for once, announced its determination for establishing an Islamic government, but if a referendum is legally necessary, we will not disagree. This committee would include real believers and the `ulama' may also attend the committee as permanent members or supervisors.
Q: [You are known as the undeniable leader of the opponents. You have said that you are not going to take the reins of the government. So what would be the form of your Islamic government?]
A: We will find a candidate for presidency, who should be elected by the nation. When he is elected, we will back and support him. The laws in the Islamic government would be the Islamic laws. Personally, I will not become the president, and will refuse to accept any governmental responsibility. I will merely guide the nation, just as before.
Q: [Many of the Iranians, particularly among the intellectuals, either do not perform their religious duties, although they believe in their religion, or do not at all believe in religion. How would the Islamic government treat them?]
A: We will try to show these people the correct path to prosperity. If they do not want to come to this path, they will be free in their daily life, unless they intend to plot against the nation and the country.
Q: [You have recently said that you will reexamine your relations with the United States, if the US changes its dominance-seeking policy toward Iran. What do you mean by this?]
A: If the US behaves correctly and if it stops to interfere in our domestic affairs and recalls its advisors who interfere in our affairs, to go back to the US, we will also respect them.
Q: [Do you consider that the US will leave Iran so easily, regarding the significance of the issue and the consequences the movement of Iranian nation will have in the region's Arab and Muslim countries?]
A: Of course the US intends to have all countries under its dominance. But we cannot accept such a thing and our nation is tired of that. Following our nation, the other nations will also free themselves of their dominance.
Q: [Oil is a controversial and difficult issue. What is your policy in this case?]
A: We will sell our oil to any one who is willing to buy, provided that the price is fair and the two sides consent. We will then spend the money to develop and renovate our country.
Q: [Would you sell oil to the Israel and South Africa?]
A: No, because as I have said before, these countries have undertaken a way that is against justice.
Q: [Since a few days ago, Moscow has changed its policy toward Iran and now is supporting the national movement. What is your opinion about their change of mind?]
A: The propaganda of the Soviet Union's press is not considered interference in the domestic affairs. In fact all the newspapers in the world should support us against Shah's regime. The Soviet Union is one of the countries that have realized the situation of the Iranian nation, and has adapted its behavior according to the same fact. We will maintain our friendly relations with the Soviet Union, as well as all the other countries as long as they do not interfere in our domestic affairs. Amicable bilateral relations should be based on mutual respect.