In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
His Eminence Hujjat al-Islam wal-Muslimin Haj Shaykh `Ali Mishkini- may his graces last,
After greetings, Regarding your question on my view on amendment of the Constitution, the gentlemen should act as they deem advisable. I will not interfere. Only concerning the Leadership [that I have something to say]; we cannot abandon the Islamic system without having someone to supervise. We should choose a person who will defend our Islamic prestige amid of politics and deceit. From the beginning, I believed and insisted that the being a marjah is not necessary. A just mujtahid approved by the honorable experts throughout the country is enough. If the people voted for the experts in order to determine a just mujtahid to act as the leader of their government; once they also determine a person to assume the Leader, naturally he is also acceptable to the people. He is the guardian chosen by the people, with his decree being binding. I was saying this regarding the Constitution, but the friends were insisting on the qualification of marja`iyyah, and I accepted knowing of it impracticability in the not-so-distant future. I pray to God, the Exalted, for the success of the gentlemen. May God's peace, mercy and blessings be upon you.
Rouhullah al-Mousawi al-Khomeini
Ordibehesht 9,1368 AHS