Interviewer: Some reporters of the European(? )and Al-Ahram papers and some Japanese reporters
Question: [European: Prime Minister Bakhtiyar said in an interview yesterday that the religionists must pay attention to religion and leave politics to the politicians. He also said that you would not be able to overthrow his government. What is your opinion?]
Answer: The first point that he has made is the thesis that the aliens have always been saying, that is, separation of religion from politics, in order to plunder our resources and he is the mouthpiece of the same people. As to whether we can overthrow his government, it will become clear in the future. His government is doomed to annihilation and victory belongs to the oppressed nation.
Q: [You have sent a message to the army. Yesterday the army established ties with the people. «1» Do you still believe that the army will join the nation? Or do you fear that a military coup may be engineered?]
A: I hope that the army- of course those who have not embezzled the nation's wealth and those who have remained committed to their military dignity- will join the nation and the negligible minority who have betrayed the nation will not be able to do anything.
Q: [What is the latest situation of the Revolutionary Council? Are its members mainly the religionists or the laymen?]
A: It will be announced later.
Q: [When and under what circumstances will you go back to Iran?]
A: It must be studied.
Q: [Brzezinski «2» has sent a message asking the army not to engineer a military coup. Do you consider it a sign of the US's favorable policy towards Bakhtiyar's cabinet?]
A: The US may be willing to support the current government, but the latter will not be able to solve the problems either. Moreover, it is illegal and the nation has rejected it. Victory definitely belongs to us.
Q: [Al-Ahram: Do you have any plan to change the Constitution?]
A: Yes.
Q: [Do you have any plan to change the internal situation and the ministries?]
A: It will be clear later.
Q: [What will be the role of the women in the future Islamic government?]
A: The women will be free to participate in many affairs; freedom in its true sense not in the manner the Shah wanted. Our women are in the prisons and the absolute majority of those who are outside the jails participate in the demonstrations and struggles. But a small group is free- of course not in the manner the Shah wants. We will be definitely opposed to that kind of freedom.
Q: [The Japanese reporter: What will be the policy of oil exploration and production under the new regime to be set up in the future after the Shah has gone? Japan has made large investments in the development of Iran's oil production. Are you ready to continue these plans in the future regime and will you agree with the continuation of these joint ventures?]
A: These issues must be studied by the future government that should take decision in accordance to the country's interests.
Q: [There are some reports indicating that the US officials have contacted the Ayatullah. Would you please explain the form and kind of contacts? Will there be independent cooperation between your government and the US government in the future?]
A: Thus far they have not contacted me personally. God willing the relations will be based on mutual respect. But we will be absolutely independent and will not surrender to any country.