Interview [The objectives, issues and hardships of the Revolution, the crimes and conspiracies of the United States]

Interviewer: The journalists of the Radio and Television Network of West Germany
Question: Your Reverence: You are trying to establish a community based on the pattern of Islamic values observed at the outset of Islam, a model of government experienced during the time of the prophet of Islam (s) «1» in Medina and Koufah at the time of Imam `Ali «2» (`a). Do you deem those values compatible the ones existing in the modern world of twentieth century? In case of being yes or no, how justifies?
Answer: In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful: The values, existing in the World are of two kinds; One of the type is spiritual values which include the matters concerning monotheism, holy war, social justice, justice based government and fair treatment of the government with nations and the expansion of social justice among nations and similar values which have been existing at appearance of Islam or even earlier than it since the prophets were assigned by Allah. Such values are unalterable. For instance; the concept of justice does not lend itself to any change and even with the passage of time; it cannot be occasionally right and seldom wrong.
The spiritual values are ever lasting and had existed prior to industrialization and continued to stay alive. Justice is not related to these changes. The other kinds of values are the material, which make subject to change according to demands of time. They had certain character in the past, and by paving the way to progress, has accomplished status and the process of evolution will be continued.
The values related to the government, community and politics are of the spiritual nature. At the dawn of Islam, the genuine and pure Islamic governments were put into practice for twice: once established by the prophet (s) in Medina and other by Imam `Ali (`a) in Koufah. During those two periods, spiritual values were the dominant ones. It means that justice-based government was established and ruler never violated the law. There was supremacy of law during two periods of these governments. Perhaps, none government will never experience the supremacy of law to such extent. In that government system, wali-ye amr, substituted as president or the king in recent systems, was held equal responsible like a common citizen towards the law. The government, at outset of Islam, was appearing in such sense. A case as regards with the government of Imam `Ali (`a), whose sovereignty covered wide-range territories extended to Hijaz, Egypt Iran and other places and, he used to appoint his judges himself, the judge called upon and sent summons to him regarding with dispute occurred between Imam `Ali( `a )and a person from Yemen. The judge wanted to welcome Imam on his arrival in the court yet was guided by him to treat equally with both of parties. The judge gave decision against Imam `Ali (`a), and he also accepted the outcome with an open face. «3» Everybody is equally accountable towards law and all in this government including blamed persons, ruler and even the Prophet and the Imam are held responsible towards God.
Now, we wish to establish a government similar to the outset of Islam. Of course, we do not have such power to put all contents into practice immediately. Particularly we are leading in certain period while within the last fifty years, this country has changes its stuffing and every facet of our social life has become non-Islamic in nature. We would need more time to change the corrupted minds into the unpolluted and Islamic ones. This will happen only if God desires so and, if God does not desire, such wishes can never be fulfilled even until our passing away from this World.
Q: There is some heightened military activities in Kurdistan; and how are you going to solve it and how do you view the Kurdistan crisis?
A: The issue is not the Kurds vs. the Iranian government. Both the Kurds and other tribes living in Iran are equal before the law. Everyone is accountable towards the government. There is no difference whatsoever between Kurds, Turks and Lurs. We now have an Islamic government of the sort, which existed at the outset of Islam. At that time, too, all tribes were equal before the law. Now we intend to materialize such a government where all tribes are equal. There are no points of departure between the Kurds and us. Those who raise the issue of Kurdistan are indoctrinated and financially supported from external powers; and as some recent written evidence shows most probably, the United States is the main instigator in both the Kurdistan issue and that of Khorramshahr, and Khouzistan. These problems have surfaced due to the interferences of the foreigners: the Kurds and we have no issues of conflict needs to be solved. The issue between the Kurds and us is similar to the one between the Fars and us. The Fars people, too, ask to manage their own affairs by themselves. They want to elect a city hall, the members of which could manage the municipal affairs such as electricity, telephone, water and asphalt. This is what the Kurds, Lors and Turks, too, are demanding. There is no difference among them. If it were not like such one then we would not think for the sake of Kurds, and the lives of children and women of our nation. Kurdistan was not the issue, which necessarily should encompass a solution. Military solution was carried out properly. Now if the military personnel had not interfered to solve the Kurdistan issue, then the people would have done so. This was requested, repeatedly by other tribe members to be allowed to go there to settle the problem. However, we wanted to avoid fratricide. We hope the delegation dispatched to Kurdistan can solve the issues amicably. We hope the Kurdish people reject the instigators to accomplish the all aspects of solution.
Q: There is a new religious movement going on in Europe. It has been shaped mainly among the Catholics. How would you evaluate such a movement and what is your opinion about the Pope?
A: The source of that religious movement is the people's disillusion due to the material advancement has not brought peace of soul for man. Rather, it has ruined their life. Most of these sorts were harmful to human being rather than being useful, what humankind needs now, more than any other time is peace for his soul. What brings peace in this case is faith and religion. This might be the feeling of the people in some other parts of the world. In our[ Islamic ]countries, people believe that it is under the banner of religion that one achieves the desired peace. They could never have calm through material means. There are some activities, which are not in harmony with certain kind of peace, being explored by the human beings.
Q: You want to see the annihilation of the Israel. If this leads to the destruction of Israel and the Palestinians were victorious, what would happen to Jews?
A: The Jews are separate from the Zionists «4». If the Muslims dominate the Zionists, they will face the same fate as that of the deposed Shah. The Jews will be left free to lead their own life, they are a nation; and then, the Jews will be treated like other nations. They will not be disturbed.
Q: Your reverence: The political relations between Tehran and Washington are very critical at the moment, especially now that the university students have captured the American Embassy. In your view, how should these relations be existed?
A: In my view, the Americans instigate all these crises. Based on our guardians' instructions and guidelines, Muslims look at all nations with the same judgment: all of them should be treated justly. However, it is the United States, which does not allow for the maintenance of such peace and calm. America gave refuge to a criminal (i.e. the Shah) who betrayed his country for fifty years, who massacred our youth on the roads by his orders, imprisoned, killed, displaced, and exiled our intellectuals and scholars. Now the Americans are keeping the Shah's household in a secure location and respect his family members while treat with the Iranian youth harshly who demonstrate against this in America. This is the reaction of such deeds, which persuaded the nation to strike against the Embassy and perform such actions. The responsibility refers to America itself. The American Embassy used to carry out sequences of plot after plot for the last decades. Now we have discovered their conspiracies. Despite of all these plots, it cannot be whispered that the nation should tolerate these disruptors and remain silent. While they perform what they desire, therefore, United States as the main instigator is paying back what wrongs they had committed against us during these last decades. We will not tolerate their mischief anymore. The Americans should realize that the time for these tyrannies has passed and that they should be more mindful. If they carry out more mischievous acts, then we cover some plans, which can harm their interests.
Q: Your Reverence: We thank you very much. Recently, the quantity of oil export is less than that of previous years. Is it going to stay like this, or decrease more, or is it going to increase?
A: It depends on the priorities of government. Whatever they decide will be based on the welfare of the country. The amount of oil export will depend on the decision of the authorities. If the interests of country demand the quantity of the export to be low, consequently, it can be decreased and if interests demand to be raised, accordingly, it will be increased.