[In this meeting, Soviet Foreign Minister handed over the written message of Mikhail Gorbachev to the Imam and briefed the Imam on the content of the message.
In this meeting, Shevardnadze first said:
"I am so thankful of finding the opportunity to meet you. I am commissioned to submit the reply message of Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev to Your Reverend. I will try to brief you on the content of this message. At the outset, I would like to say that exchange of the messages between the leaders of our countries is an unprecedented development in our bilateral relations. We believe that conditions have been provided for our bilateral relations entering a new qualitative phase for cooperation in all areas.
In his message, Mr. Gorbachev points out that Your Eminence's message addressed to the Secretary General of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union is replete with abundant concepts.
All members of the Presidium of the Soviet Union studied the text of Your Eminence's message. There is no doubt that we share similar opinion on the main points, but that there are cases wherein we have disagreement, yet, this is not important.
In your message, there are profound observations on the destiny of mankind. Mr. Gorbachev believes that we share one and the same view on the most important point, i. e. human beings should assist each for survival. If human beings are not united, humanity should be exposed to catastrophic threats, because the potentials are implanted in human beings to generate such catastrophe.
Mr. Gorbachev believes that struggle for the attainment of a world free from nuclear weapons and coeersion is the responsibility of all nations.
On foreign policy of the Soviet Union, our aim is to generalize preference of values all nations and superiority of these values to all other interests be the class-oriented or national whether they are that of a certain class or nation.
Mr. Gorbachev writes to you that the words of the Imam regarding the goodwill of the Iranian leadership on having good neighborlihood and bilateral relations with the Soviet Union have met with favorable reaction on the part of the Soviet leaders. We share a very long common border as well as ancient traditions of cultural ties between our nations.
We have good grounds for the continuation of our relations based on new foundation; that is, on the basis of the principles of mutual respect, equal rights and non-interference in domestic affairs of each other.
Mr. Gorbachev writes that in the international politics, we follow a fundamental principle; i. e., the principle of respect for the freedom of choice for each human being and nation. Consequently, our country and our entire nation have welcomed in good faith your great revolution. The monarchical despotism in Iran exploited its own people, used really barbaric methods and trampled on the dignity and reputation of its own nation to earn the pleasure of the foreign forces. Your revolution has been chosen by your nation and we have always supported this choice and continue to do so.
Mr. Gorbachev in his message writes that our nation also made its choice and that in 1917. Along our way, there were both big problems and remarkable achievements and blunders and human rights violations. We correct and condemn these mistakes. In spite of all problems we were able to defend our achievements, because the choice of the people has been right.
I would to bring to your attention that the issue of freedom of choice is on the agenda of the present international daily life. We have a question to ask ourselves, as we have to find the way to continue: Is this way of ours the old and dogmatic path, or the new and revolutionary one? Our choice is in favor of the second way. We have a revolution in our country, but a peaceful revolution without trenches and without resorting to force; we would like the Eminent Imam to know that in our country the trend of renewal and reconstruction persists. Economic and political reconstruction, renewal of our evaluation and our way of thinking and renewal of the views that we held before.
Mr. Gorbachev points out those enormous transformations have recently happened in the world. We think it can be said we are on the threshold of a new political and economic order.
Very important treaties have been concluded; one class of nuclear weapons will be demolished.
A good prospect has been opened for elimination of chemical weapons. A good prospect has also been opened for prevention of military confrontation among states. But this is not a gift of the imperialists; it is the will of the nations; it is the will of the time.
There is no other option; arms race and bringing them to the space will bring about human catastrophe. Bloody conflicts are about to end in the different parts of the world.
We welcome the end of the Iran-Iraq War. We are ready to cooperate with you for consolidation of peace in the Middle and Far East the region and the entire world.
We are concerned over the extensive military presence in the Persian Gulf. I mean the military presence of foreign countries. This phenomenon is very dangerous and must be ended.
We also want to have good cooperation with you in looking for a just solution to the affairs of Afghanistan. Let the people of Afghanistan themselves determine their own destiny without any foreign intervention."
Shevardnadze added:" Another point in the message of Mr. Gorbachev is that he expresses readiness for promotion cooperation in economic matters and in areas we had good cooperation in the past.
We are also ready for the establishment and continuation of contacts between individuals, representatives of social groups and clerics.
Your Eminence's invitation to Qum was relayed to the Islamic scholars of our country; we have no doubt that they will avail of this invitation."
In the end, the special envoy of the Soviet Leader said:" This was the gist of the message of Mr. Gorbachev.
He extends his best wishes and greetings to Your Eminence.
He wishes for Your Eminence's longevity for the interest and prosperity of the Iranian nation."]
May he be healthy, by the will of God. But tell his Excellency I wanted to open a bigger horizon before him.
[In the end, Imam said:] I wanted to open for a window opening into a bigger world for Mr. Gorbachev; i. e., the world after death, which is an eternal world. This was the theme of my message. «1» I hope that he would think again in this context.
[Imam Khomeini welcomed the retreat of the Soviet forces from Afghanistan, emphasized good neighborlihood and expansion of strong relations in the different dimensions in dealing with the devils of the West and withdrawal of foreign forces from the Persian Gulf and wished the people of the Soviet Union and Iran would always live in peace and tranquility.]