In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Stressing amnesty for prisoners
Today, I would like to emphatically stress the issue regarding the prisoners, excluding those whom we cannot pardon in accordance with the command of God. Let me reiterate that the case should be settled as soon as possible. Mr. Mousawi «1» should advise (the concerned officials) everywhere, in all provinces, to carry out the relevant tasks and investigate the problem as soon as possible so that, God willing, a noticeable number of them and, if possible, all of those deserving pardon will be granted amnesty in the New Year. Now, they have committed a sin, a pardonable sin. They have deviated, but a deviation which is pardonable. Provide a list of them and send it to me for the coming New Year so that, God willing, they will be released. I advise the individuals deceived by certain groups to make a comparison between the present and former governments and between the present and former people. Study the services rendered by this government in this short span of time in spite of the enormous difficulties all countries and almost all superpowers have created for this government and people. Then see what path they have actually selected. What do they want to do on the path they have chosen? What do the munafiqin (literally meaning hypocrites) and their brothers want to do? I beseech God, the Most Exalted, to guide these youths, these girls, these boys, so that they will no longer fall into their trap, or that they free themselves from their trap, God willing.
Appreciating combatants
I should appreciate the army and the sepah (Islamic Revolution Guards Corps), the gendarmerie and other armed and popular forces, which are, thank God, advancing powerfully. They have done epic deeds in Chazabeh «2» region and will, God willing, do more there. I hope that we get close to the final victory. Our victory is when Iraq and Iran and other Islamic countries are affluent and all can continue with their lives comfortably and peacefully and free from the domination of foreign powers.
A question that has been raised among people and made them call on me here time and again in the past few days and one that Ahmad «3» has also repeatedly recalled is the news item broadcast by foreign radios. I was listening to a foreign radio station a few days ago. I heard a foreign radio station saying that Khomeini was on his deathbed. A story crossed my mind: once a man wanted to brag about his physical strength. He said at a session that he was the one who did such and such, enumerating his feats. Among his words, were that he was the one who killed so and so man, who was the champion in such and such place. That man whom he claimed to have killed happened to be present at the meeting and replied:" The one whom you killed is listening to your words!" I remembered that the one whom that gentleman, who was supposed to be on the verge of death heard his words and laughed at his dim-wittedness. God willing, I hope that those who are abroad will return and stop such nonsense; they know that they will not get far; they know that they are no match for this nation. Well, you always claim that the nation sides with you. Okay, if the nation is with you, come and cooperate with the nation, cooperate with the government. Don't sit at a corner, splinter into different groups and swear at each other.
I implore God, the Most Exalted, to grant health to all the gentlemen and this nation and these wounded ones. I appreciate the nation which, thank God, is present in the scene. As long as they are present in the scene, they will not suffer even if others engage in corruption or carry out illegal acts. May God protect all of you.
May God's peace, mercy and blessings be upon you.