Interviewer: Asian, European and American reporters
Question: [American reporter: How is Bakhtiyar government's chance of success? Would you accept his invitation to return to Iran?]
Answer: Bakhtiyar's government is illegal and it does not have any chance for success. My return to Iran has nothing to do with any one's invitation. I will return to Iran whenever I deem fit and proper.
Q: [Is the religious power in Iran stronger than military and political power? Would Akbar Sanjabi be your candidate?]
A: No power can equalize with the power of religion. Politicians and military-men are mostly under the influence of religion. And, the case of Mr. Sanjabi will be studied later.
Q: [Will the new Iran, be a impartial government? How would Iran's relations with France be? Aren't you worried about foreign interference in case the tensions continue?]
A: The future government will be impartial toward all the governments and it will have a fair and just relation with all of the countries. Iran will maintain its amicable relations with France as long as the friendly relations are mutual, providing the same conditions. We are not afraid of foreign countries' direct interference, and will prevent any indirect interference.
Q: [What would be the policy of the Islamic Republic about the freedom of women, illiteracy campaign and cinemas?]
A: The Shah has done nothing positive in Iran. Reconstructing and renovating the Shah's destruction will take a lot of time. Shah has granted freedom neither to the women nor to the men. We will grant freedom to everybody. In the Shah regime, the cinemas were in the service of corruption, while in the future republic they will serve to the nation's benevolence. We will also fight illiteracy in its best way.
Q: [Would in the Islamic Republic, the other religions, particularly the Jews, enjoy freedom, or, are you against the Jews and the Semitic races?]
A: All the religious minorities are respectable in Islam. They enjoy all kinds of freedom to perform their religious duties. We are not against any human being. They are Iranians and enjoy the same rights just as the other Iranians.
Q: [Japanese reporter: I read in the reports of one of the dailies that you have said Japan is the enemy of Iranians. Is that right? And if you have said such a thing, what are your reasons for that?]
A: That's a lie and is not at all correct.
Q: [Does Your Eminence predict having relations with the Japanese government? Of what kind?]
A: Our relations can be amicable based on mutual respect.
Q: [Japan's oil is to a great extent dependent on Iran's oil exports. And as you know, Iran's oil export to Japan is cut, due to stopping oil extraction in Iran. What future would you predict for Iran oil exports to Japan?]
A: As soon as the Shah regime is overthrown in the near future and nation's intended government is established, the oil production will be resumed and we will sell oil to all customers of ours at a fair price.
Q: [Reporter of Singapore Strait Times daily: If the Islamic government is established, would it help other Islamic countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia and etc. or not; particularly Iran that enjoys abundant sources of oil?]
A: The very case requires some studies and it will be examined at its proper time.
Q: [Reporter of Swiss Media: Your Eminence, what is your opinion about France's policy toward yourself? Aren't you astonished at this policy that has let you stay in this country? And would these relations have any effect on the future relations between Iran and France?]
A: No! It is not astonishing. France enforces its own rules, and does not behave against them. Of course, it is probable that the current relations have some effects on Iran-France future relations. Our relations will be probably friendly in the future. Iranians will thank the French nation for the same reason.
Q: [Reporter of London-based Economist: Are you going to invite Iraj Eskandari «1» in the formation of the council or committee for your intended transitional phase?]
A: No.
Q: [Would the `Toudeh Party' attend the future transitional government?]
A: No.
Q: [Are the `Toudeh Party' and its agents in connection with you? Do you have any relation with Iraj Eskandari?]
A: No.
Q: [Would the future government announce legal the illegal Toudeh Party?]
A: No.
Q: [Considering the status of the Soviet Union, and its interference, and the ongoing incidents in Afghanistan, Southern Yemen and Ethiopia in African Horn, are you not worried about the interference of the Soviet Union in Iran?]
A: No. We are against any kind of foreign interference in the fate of other nations and will fight against it.