Statement [Efforts to make the country independent and self-sufficient]

May God assist you. The important thing is that the Iranians should realize that they themselves can do everything. Throughout this period they had made matters such as to show the Iranians being incapable of doing anything, and that everything had to be imported; from Europe and America. This was the reason that prevented the Iranians from using their brains; they did not let them do so. The Iranian people are no less intelligent than others. As a matter of fact, they are more intelligent than other races. But they did not allow these talents to be put to work. The people ought to harness their abilities and the government and nation support the inventors and innovators so that Iran, God willing, manufactures everything by itself and becomes independent. Anyway, I will tell them, God willing, to remind the government to extend its support to you. Of course, the nation, too, is obliged to cooperate with you so that things get moving and Iran, God willing, becomes independent. You will become independent when you have no more need to extend your hands to foreign countries to get something. As long as we have to obtain our needs from abroad, we will not be independent. As long as our cultivation is not enough, forcing us to extend our hand to others, we will be dependent. Unless we develop our industry to the level that could free us from depending upon others, we will be dependent. Therefore, everybody- those who are inventors, intellectuals, peasants, and factory owners- should try to do his own tasks by himself. I pray, God willing, that you be successful and triumphant. I shall recommend that they cooperate with you and help you so that you perform the work better. May God protect you all; and may you be successful and prosperous, God willing.