Speech [Comparing the role of people in former regimes and Islamic system; necessity of improving emebassies]

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

When I compare the current officials of Iran whether inside or outside the country with those in the former times such as Qajar period- part of which I remember- of the Pahlavi period. I feel that agreat development has taken place. That is, the power has been transferred from bullies to the people and those from the people. In the past, either people were not allowed to get involved in the affairs of the country or they retreated because of rampant corruption. For example, people were not aware of elections, which were theirinsep`Arable right or they did not care at all. Essentially, people paid no heed to these concepts because people were regarded as a plaything. In time of Qajar dynasty, a number of the khans or tribal chiefs who were landlords and influential had appropriated the power. In time of Rida Shah, the power was entirely in the hands of the Shah and his entourage; there was no opportunity for people. This is the way they treated elections that were the right of people. As regards other affairs, people did not consider themselves to have any right. In spite of the fact that something was their right, people did not basically interfere. A government official who was visiting a place could do whatever he wished or coomit ever lkind of corruption, but people's voice get now here. On some occasions, the chancellor or prime minister bribed to come to power in those days. This trend was particularly prevalent in time of the Qajar dynasty. Every fief one was appointed. One was sent to Khorasan. Of course, he had to pay something in exchange for Khorasan. This implied that one could do anything in Khorasan in exchange for the bribe he was paying. Whatever people cried, there was no one to listen to their complaints. Today however I see that the situation has, thank God, undergone change. Today, the prime minister, president and, let me say, other officials and ministers are from people. These days the officials are not from another classan and actually, we have done a way with social classes and the bullies. They are all from among people- or president was a theology student, and other official is from bazaar, the other one was a businessperson. Everyone is like this. You have a similar background. This is obvious from one's appearance. At that time, you could guess from one's appearance, and it is the same story today. Some gentlemen are students of theology, men of knowledge and ambassador. Some gentlemen are also from this nation; they were either from bazaar or university students. This is the state of affairs.

We should avail of the present situation when power is in the hand of the nation. We should make the most of the opportunity when people have taken control of the affairs and work for Islam and for our people. The situation has thoroughly changed for you. You had not seen or visited the embassies in those days. No would visit the embassy. Nevertheless, they are aware of the situation prevailing there. This gentleman, for instance, is aware of the situation at that time. The situation should undergo total change and some changes has taken place. This change should however be fundamental to serve as a tRa`dition for the future generations. One, who establishes a good tradition, has the shares of the rewards foever, as pointed out in narrations. Improve the situation in the embassies so that one who visits them finds the difference between the present and former embassies. The embassies should even differ from those of Islamic states. These embassies are in no way comparable to those of the past. They are very different. You should try to bequeath a good traition to your future generations. We are not merely responsible for the present; we are responsible forever. Now that we have gained an opportunity, our responsibility is for future terms. We should not be concerned for today and neglect whatever may come in the future. We should not only think of the present situation and totally this regard what might happen in the future. It should not be like this. The gentlemen and we have to improve the embassies dramatically so than no one can bring about changes in them immediately. You have to change embassies in every aspect, and reverse every aspect because I know in the past the direction was not right and there was much horse- trading which normally politicians are engaged before personal interests. Now when they come to visit, they should see they have entered an Islamic environment. They should enter the environment of the people of Islam and cannot do anything wrong here. In the past when an ambassador would arrive in Iran, the same officials who were like wolves, tearing apart the nation, became meek and humble before him. It was because they did not rely on people. They relied on the monarch who was himself the agent of foreign powers or on the prime minister who was also the same. The chancellor was also the same. They relied on such peole and for this reason, when an ambassador arrived in Iran, he did whatever he wished. History has it that British ambassador arrived in Iran, pushed the chancellor against the wall and beat him on the head complaining why he did not act as he wanted. An ambassador did it. Well, you know the ambassador and the president of a country and even king of England in an alien country cannot treat even an ordinary citizen of that country in such manner. In your case, you do not rely on a single person. You are the nation. You rely on the nation. When reliance is on the nation, one will no longer fear that if you do a certain thing, the ambassador may, let us suppose, report to the ministry to punish you. The ambassador himself cannot do it. This is the situation today.

You should avail of this opportunity and preserve this divine tradition handed down to us and we should set good example for future generation. I am assured that the situation is, God willing, good today. Of course, it is not completely satisfactory, yet you should work to make it hundred percent good. What counts is the future.

The important thing is that government in Iran should be such that the next generation who come to power cannot change it at once. The people are willing for this. The government should make things in a way that when it is handed over to the future generation, they cannot do the converse. The president should behave in a way that when another one succeeds him cannot do the reverse. Others should be like this. Majlis should act in a way that when another Majlis takes over it cannot change the procedure set by the former. This is an obligation upon us. You are now obliged to make things in a way that when it is transferred to another one however bad he has to present him as good. Wherever you are, you should improve all moral, ideological, political and social aspects and whatever entrusted upon you. Likewise, in the past if one was good, one could not show one's good nature because the atmosphere had been made such that one who wanted to be religious, could not display in public. You should provide the environment in a way that if, God forbid, a bad man becomes ambassador or charge d'affairs and I do not know whatever, one cannot display that he is different from the prevailing environment. One has to change his conditions to suit yours. We should always try to consider the future, not the present. We ought to think about our future, the future of Islam and our nation. All the wolves are hanging around to see the news to restore the previous situation. It is now incumbent upon us not to let such a thing happen and disturb the whole situation. Everything should remain in its place. If anyone dies, everything should remain in its place. You should preserve this state of affairs. This is something that is in my opinion important for ministries, for ambassadors and for all.

You who are residing abroad have a more difficult duty. Wherever you are in Islamic lands, their situation is not inconformity with ours. I hope the situation there would also be set aright. You should live in such a way that you are not impressed by them. Whoever comes should be impressed by you, not vice versa. That is, when one enters here, things should be so that his mind and heart are positively impressed and he comes to the realization that here is better than his country. It is very good if the writers, autors, let's say, employees and managers be like this. They should feel that this situation is much better than theris.

If this idea finds reality, you will gradually find a way with them and your revolution will be exported. We want it to be exported in this sense. We want our ambassadors in foreign countries to act in a way so that they can impress the ambassadors and government in that country. Our government should act in a way that impresses other countries. Our nation should act in a way that impresses other nations. I hope you work for God and this idea can be translated into action by you. I hope you will be able to establish a good tradition for the future generation and have a share of their rewards. It is very important that somebody is dead, but still has a share of the rewards of others. If you leave behind a good tradition, you will benefit from this situation. I hope that you will be successful and victorious and continue with your own works.

May God's peace and mercy be upon you!