Speech [The Constituent Assembly system and the global conspiracy to provide for the ratification of the law]

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

Whenever I feel that there is danger facing Islam and the Muslims, I deem it necessary to discharge my duty and warn the Muslims about it. I sense danger at this time when votes are to be cast for the Constitution. I feel that plots are being hatched and deem it necessary to point this out to the Iranian nation so as to have discharged my duty.

These days when the Constitution and its publication are being talked about, matters are being broached that make me feel that a plot is afoot; a plot that poses a danger to Islam, the Muslims and our country. These days when the Constitution is being discussed and studied, and is to be decided by a referendum after being studied by the experts and passed by the Majlis, a matter has come up with regard to which I sense danger, and about which I find it necessary to warn the nation.

The groups from the various strata of the people that gather in the meetings that take place raise certain matter and mention problems. This is not the time to do so. I think it probable that these problems and difficulties are brought up involuntarily by people who have been influenced by these plots, either directly or by means of others. We are now involved in a matter that calls for the undivided attention of the whole nation. It is inopportune to talk about the difficulties, the irregularities, the government's mistakes and the bad state of affairs. The gentlemen should bear in mind that it is now not the time to bring up difficulties for discussion, in the army, the ministries, the committees or the courts. It is likely that, nowadays, the people that want to carry out a big conspiracy are the ones who are finding fault with these organs, talking about these problems when the Constitution is to be drawn up and brought to the people's notice is either a plot or arises from ignorance.

The issue that is of utmost importance is that, at the outset, I should state who and what people I am addressing and then speak. The people are of different types in their opposition. There are some who have good intentions but do not consider the problems in depth. There are others that are well intentioned but are influenced by the propaganda and words of people with ulterior motives. Then these are those who, with the most evil of intentions are busy in hatching plots. Their plot is to have the approval of the Constitution postponed; to discuss and consult for a year or two, and for the decayed remnants (of the former regime) to link up and away with the essence of Islam.

Putting off the approval of the Constitution and the establishment of the Islamic republic and Islamic government will result on the plotters within our borders and abroad to link up and, having done so, trample upon the very essence of the Constitution and the principles of Islam. The well-intentioned people ought to realize that if according to what is being said about the Constituents' Assembly and the way in which the Constitution should be presented in the Assembly- an issue that has been raised by the people with evil intentions and has, unfortunately, influenced the well-intentioned ones also- means that the arguments and wrangling be prolonged for two or three years and the plots to accumulate. The mercenaries in Iran are now being trained by the people from that side of the border. If we do not bring this matter to an end soon enough, they will come together and, by doing so, it is possible that they will afflict you with an adversity and put you into trouble again. They will create trouble even if they are crushed.

The Constituents' Assembly is there for the people to designate whom they, themselves, have chosen. It makes no difference whether this is the government' present plan or the plans of the people who are heedless, who have been swayed, or into whom the devils have instilled the notion that the matter be deferred and for a year or two to elapse for the installation of the Islamic government until their plots mature and destroy its very principle. The government's proposal is that people be elected to that same Constituents' Assembly, but less in number and belonging to the nation, approved by the nation and elected by the nation. These individuals should then study the Constitution that has been drafted. These elected individuals should also discuss and study the objections raised by the intellectuals, the legal experts and others with respect to the draft of the Constitution. After they have approved of it, it will be put to a referendum. Though there is no need, we will put it to the public vote in order to have it further consolidated.

But if we want to postpone the matter of the Constitution because of the plan- so cunningly devised by these Westernized intellectuals who are a part of some of these intellectual groups, these smart mercenaries, those people who want to restore the previous regime (to power) or something similar to it, those who are being assisted from that side of the border, those who are paying the workers not to work, those who regard Islam as outdated and those who fear it, and by which (plan) the good intentioned people have, unfortunately, become convinced- for a Constituents' Assembly of large numbers that would delay the approval of the Constitution by two or three years, we then have to sound the death-knell of Islam and the country.

I am warning the nation today that the plan of the Constituents' Assembly, in that it has been designed in the West and inspired by the devils, will give rise to delays and mischief. These people who have suffered a defeat in the first stage and had boycotted the referendum and the ones who have deviated from Islam, after having been defeated by the referendum, are now thinking of preventing the Constitution from being endorsed so soon so that, as they imagine, the plots come to fruition and- again as they imagine- the previous state of affairs is restored. O nation of Iran! Know who these people are and recognize them. Those who have been negligent should pay attention. See who those people are that had boycotted the referendum and are even now saying that they will not take part until the formation of the Constituents' Assembly. What have those people- from that side of the country, from the epicenter of the plots, from Kurdistan which is the hub of the plots- in mind who say that they will not take part? Those that are subservient to the communists; what have they in mind?

Our prominent personalities should pay attention to the matter and study it in depth. Various groups are banding together. At first, when Islam was to have been put into effect, the big Satan called out to the other devils saying that if Islam were to be implemented, everybody's affairs would be brought to a standstill. There is an outcry once again. There is a call to have the Constitution deferred. The gentlemen who are well intentioned should pay attention to the matter; they should examine it and take care. They should not be influenced by the seditious individuals. Our intellectuals should not be swayed by the paid ones. Our jurisprudents should not be influenced by those of the West. Our lawyers should not be affected by the Westernized ones. Our judges should not be under the influence of Westernized people. Our workers and farmers should not let themselves be swayed by the seditionists. These people are devils whose big devil called out to the others and gathered them together in the early days of Islam. They now want to do the same thing.

O nation, take care! This is not the time to find fault with the government, the army, the bazaar. It is the time for all of us to converge for approving and expediting the Constitution so that the matter is completed within a month or two and not drag on for a year or two until the plots come to a head.

O God! You know that what I am saying is in the interests of the nation, of Islam, the Holy Qur'an, the clergy, and the Muslims. Postponing the endorsement of the Constitution and putting it up for the consideration of a vast assembly of the constituents, the wrangling over which and the setting up of which will take six months, and the debates within which will continue for- it is not known- one, two, or three years, pose a danger to Islam and the Messenger of God. The Western-inspired formation of the Constituents' Assembly is dangerous- it is a danger- dangerous for the Islamic country and for the Master of the Time. Those who are under a delusion should return to the fold. They should realize that a plot is afoot. They should know that I have the greatest attachment to them and not want any suspicion concerning them to arise. Those devils who are hatching conspiracies should know that the nation is awake and will neutralize their plots.

May God rouse us from our slumber of negligence. May God fortify Islam and the Muslims. May He curtail the power of the foreigners in our countries. O God! Cut out these rotten remnants that are engaged in hatching plots.

May God's peace, mercy and blessings be upon you.