I seek refuge in God from the accursed Satan
In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Iran in chaos
The gentlemen present are well aware of the nation's years of unrest. They know that all national and governmental machinery has been paralyzed, our economic situation was heading for annihilation, our cultural situation is a shamble, and universities, educational schools and the bazaars are closed; all these in addition to all the bloodshed that has taken place up to now and the mayhem in the country. They are informed of all this. Those who are responsible for these must cease fomenting chaos; and with reasoning must think and step aside. «1» God willing, we will resolve all these problems with the support of the nation.
Wishing for the establishment of Imam `Ali's (`a) just government
You, reporters, have seen that from the capital to every place your eyes can see, from large and small cities, from villages and boroughs, in every nook and corner, our nation wants and all the people with unified thought and consensus are saying that the monarchial regime, a decaying anti-morality and immoral regime, the monarchial regime of Muhammad Rida Khan has to be toppled, and with one heart and in the same direction they want an Islamic republic. Our nation is Muslim and is enthusiastic about Islam; it has experienced Islamic justice; our history has informed us about governments at the advent of Islam and has enlightened us on how these governments and the rulers had been. The Commander of the Faithful `Ali ibn Abi Talib- who had been the ruler of a big domain, a huge country extending from Saudi Arabia to Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Syria, and other places appointed a judge to arbitrate on the case of a Jew who fought `Ali ibn Abi Talib and complained against him. The judge summoned Hadrat `Ali, who was obliged and appeared in the presence of the judge; together they heard and deliberated on the case in which the verdict reached was against Hadrat Amir, may God's peace be upon him; that is, the government had decided and (Hadrat `Ali) abided by the decision. No such governmental situation can ever find manifestation in humanity. We wish for such kind of government- a just government which is committed to the interest of the peasants; a government which believes that it should consume stale bread lest one citizen in the country lives in misery or hunger. We want to establish such a just government.
The illegitimate Pahlavi regime
As you all know- that is, the reporters know from the information they have in their own countries, and the information that we have in our country and the events we had been witnesses of- Rida Khan staged a coup d'etat and came to Tehran. «2» After which he created a constitutional assembly, and handpicked the parliament members all of which he did at bayonet's point. The nation's discretion did not play any role, and was never taken into account in these affairs. He gathered such a horde and, at bayonet's point, set up a constitutional assembly, which cast its vote. But this vote bore no legitimacy; that parliament was not a national parliament; and because it was not a national one, the Pahlavi monarchial regime was based on coercion and hence was illegitimate. When a regime was not legitimate, the parliaments formed thereafter were not national or legitimate. All these matters tell us that neither the present government nor the parliament is legitimate- not this parliament or that parliament. «3»
Introduction of the provisional government based on the rule of jurists
And because we consider the parliament and the government illegitimate, we see Iran in chaos, and so in order to put an end to this chaotic situation we are introducing a government based on the public vote, which you all see now, and you have witnessed that the public vote is in our favor and we have been recognized as an agent or as you call it the" leadership". We are introducing the head of this government in order to form a provisional government which will not only put an end to the chaos, but also address the issue of setting up a parliamentary assembly, which is of utmost significance, and pave the way for the holding of parliamentary elections and make the preliminary preparations for such and set up the parliament. Likewise, it should see to the holding of elections during which people will elect a permanent government. The parliamentary assembly will in turn hold a referendum for the people to decide on an Islamic republic, although I believe that a referendum is not really necessary and the people have repeatedly" voted" for an Islamic republic. However, in order to end all pretexts and count all the votes, we should carry out such tasks in a free atmosphere so that the people and the whole world will know that the votes cast in a free manner by the people are cast for whom and for what regime. Therefore, we appointed a provisional government at the helm of which we have appointed Mr. Mahdi Bazargan, whom I have known personally for years, and who is a pious, religious, sincere, nationalistic man who believes in religions, and is not affiliated to any faction that is against canonical regulations. He will then appoint and introduce his ministers so that the revolutionary council, which chose him as the head of this government, can examine his cabinet ministers and, God willing, all affairs will be carried out with ease and facility. I should make you aware of another issue and that is if I have named him as the ruler, I did so based on the agency granted to me by the sacred canonical laws.
Expediency of obeisance to the provisional government
He whom I have designated is to be made obeisance to; the nation must obey him. This government is no ordinary one; it is a canonical government. Opposition to this government is opposition to the canon laws and is tantamount to rebellion against religion. Rebellion against religion is meted with a heavy punishment in our laws and jurisprudence. I warn those who might entertain such an idea to sabotage it and, God forbid, stage an uprising against this government; I declare that the punishment of those elements in Islamic jurisprudence is very heavy. Rebellion against this government is rebellion against God and rebellion against God is atheism. I warn these people (Bakhtiyar's government) to come to their senses and let this country be delivered from this anarchy; do not let this noble blood be shed and so much blood of our youth be shed anymore. Let our economy be corrected; gradually, we will put things in their right order. I implore God, the Blessed and Exalted, to grant Engineer Bazargan success in carrying out this mission in the best way possible.
Replies to reporters' questions
[After Imam Khomeini's speech and the introduction of the provisional government's prime minister, reporters asked their questions to which the Imam answered briefly. The questions and answers are as follows:]
Question: [Your Eminence, the Ayatullah, said that anyone who refused to accept this government would be punished; if the military does not approve of it, what will you do?]
Answer: The military will never take such action. And if it does, firstly, the corresponding punishment will be meted out by God; secondly, the punishment that Islamic law has determined for such will be carried out should the circumstances demand so. And if, God forbid, the military did so, we would announce it.
Q: [Considering the close contact that Bazargan had with you as well as with Bakhtiyar, what do you think will be Bakhtiyar's and the military's reaction?]
A: If both are sensible and want the country's interest, their reaction will be positive; if they are traitors and want to betray the country, their affair will be with God.
Q: [Do you think that the 1906 Constitution «4» is acceptable and can serve as a framework during the transition period?]
A: Except from several articles that were incorporated into the constitution by coercion, the constitution holds until the time that the nation votes otherwise.
[Afterward, Engineer Bazargan expressed the following in a speech:
I thank God the Almighty for conferring upon me such credibility and honor which I do not merit or have the competence for. I also would like to express my gratitude to the Iranian nation, which, as the Ayatullah has repeatedly stressed, has taken strides and raised their voices" in the name of the nation, the nation's voice and for the nation."
This mission, that is the provisional government's policy and the installation of a government during this difficult and perilous time is the greatest profession and responsibility and, at the same time, the greatest honor that has been conferred upon this humble servant. And perhaps, I am right in saying that it is the most difficult responsibility and task that has, so far, been granted upon any candidates and agents of other prime ministries during the 72 years history of the Constitutional Movement. In principle, considering the feebleness, inadequacy and defects that I have, I should not accept this responsibility and undertake such a mandate. However, on the other hand, I am compelled to do so on account of expediency, responsibility and natural duty, and I will tread this path, particularly, in order to follow the policy and tradition the Ayatullah has had during the period of his administration and leadership of the movement, and his resolute determination, absolute faith in God and belief in the success of the path his leadership has taken. This is the first lesson and command that I have received from the Ayatullah. Hadrat `Ali ibn Abi Talib's (`a) commandment, to which I am duty-bound and committed, states:" When you are confronted with a grave matter and a difficult task do not ever waiver, face it and, with God's might and power, the difficulties and problems will be resolved."
Hence, I hereby declare, with hope in God, while expressing my gratitude to the Ayatullah, the expectation of the nations of Iran and the world, that I am accepting this commitment and responsibility. I am prepared to face the dangers and take the efforts that concern me and I will fulfill all my responsibilities to the best of my abilities and take part in the crusade in the path of my beloved Iranian nation." There is no power greater than the power of God, the Greatest."
After Mr. Bazargan's speech, Imam Khomeini said:]
After thanking the Iranian nation, who have suffered and taken efforts during this long period and who have served Islam by shedding their blood, there is one thing I would like to inform the nation and that is the nation should voice out their opinions regarding Mr. Bazargan's government, which is a canonical and Islamic government; they should make their opinions known through the media, peaceful demonstrations in cities, villages and wherever there are Muslims.
[At the end, Mr. Hashimi Rafsanjani read the text of the decree designating Mr. Bazargan as the prime minister of the provisional government, which had been issued and written by Imam Khomeini.] «5»