Interviewer: Reporter of the magazine TIME
Question: Anti-American feelings are vast and wide in Iran. Likewise, Americans too in their turn are nervous against Iran. What do you see in the offing about the two sided relations after the resolution of the Security Council?
Answer: The feelings of Iranians are not against the American nation. But they are against the American government. For several years we have been shouting to express our dissatisfaction about the injustice. We had been complaining concerning the suffocation and restrictions. But the U. S. A. brought the Shah to the throne. In 1941, the Allied forces brought him in the place of Rida Khan who was a servant of British. The United States always supported him in spite of the nation's disagreement. The Shah devastated all the sources of our income. The honor and the national prestige, our capitals, the abilities and capacities of our youths- all he destroyed. Therefore, the Iranian people cannot have a favorable opinion about American government. Ultimately our nation concluded that the government of Carter, so to say- has turned their embassy into a base for spying and designing plots against Iran. The spies were active here under the guise of the staff of the embassy. Now our nation has detected the fact. Therefore, it considers the United States as its enemy number one. But in our belief the American nation is not liable to any censure at the score of the behavior of its government with Iranian people. If the U. S. wants to deprive us of the justice by any means of terror or economical blackout or military interference, the things will not be settled. The groups will last and remain the people's minds. The American people should not let Carter to use these methods. Otherwise, our people too ultimately conclude that the people of America are also in agreement with their government's actions. The other way open before the U. S. government is this that they should admit and confess their wrong doings done by them here in Iran. From my point of view, the solution to this crisis is that they should surrender the deposed Shah to us. Besides, steps should be taken to compensate the losses brought on us under his dictatorship. Of course, there are losses, which cannot be compensated. One of them is: hundred persons martyred during the campaign against the Shah. The manpower and the abilities cannot be returned back to us who were engaged in the campaign to bring the downfall of the Shah. But, it is our right to expect the return of the wealth back to us that was taken away from this nation. This too depends upon the conviction of our nation, the president of America in the place of Carter, is reasonable enough and humane not incline to have any impolite conduct and behavior towards us. In that case, our people can have normal relations with America like the relations we have towards others.
Question: Most of the countries in the world have condemned the hostage taking. We would like to know whether this has caused any change in your stand?
Answer: Most of the countries that have condemned are under the American pressure. We want to show to the world that it is quite possible to defeat a super power by the strength of faith. We campaign with all our strength against the government of America in spite of its strength and power. We do never fear any power.
Question: Do you realize that you have isolated Iran? The Islamic nations too have condemned the hostage taking. You have driven America out of Iran; but who can relieve you from the pressure of the Soviet Union?
Answer: Yes, we did drive America out of Iran in order to establish an Islamic government. We did not expel America to bring in the Soviet Union and be its successor. This fact is will reflected in the slogans of our people. We have regularly announced:" Not the west. We have regularly announced:" Not the West. Not the East." In one day the Soviet Union exercised pressure upon us, we will confront them with the same power which enabled us to expel America out.
Question: You must accept the fact that America will never surrender the Shah to you. If you doubt, it seems you have not understood America. Will you make the hostages free in case the UN agrees to look into your complaint? Is it necessary that all the dictators of the world should be the objects of investigation by the UN?
Answer: We know America very well. We know that we can stand against it. We can defend our honor- we have even shown that we can confront and campaign against the great injustice which is the refuge accorded to Shah by America.
We must overcome America that is we should gain the upper hand over America. We must defeat America in every front. The Shah's exit from America does not solve the enigma. There should be an international organization to exert endeavors seriously so that the United States of America should surrender the Shah, the betrayer to Iran. Besides, this organization should also take back the wealth pillaged by the Shah to return it to its real owners- that is the nation of Iran. Such an organization there, should put all the dictators on trial. We shall never go parallel with the tyrants.
Question: If the crisis of hostages is solved, would it pave way for becoming the relations normal, such as in the past, to buy the weapons and other commercial ties with America?
Answer: Any kind of transaction that could be harmful to Muslims, we are against it. The commercial ties or any other transaction that could be beneficial to the nation is acceptable to us. Of course, for such matters government is responsible, not me.
Question: The economic conditions in Iran have not yet taken a life full turn. The poor ones still exist in the south of Tehran as they were in the past. The armed forces do not appear to be able to defend Iran in the event of any assault. The political activities too do not appear normal. So viewing all these factors, can't we say that the Revolution has had been a failure?
Answer: It is likely that all these observations might be true. But the Revolution itself has had been a success. The pillars of the Revolution have become stronger. Our nation is acquainted to the Revolution. It is a fact. Today all are revolutionists. They are ready for martyrdom. I seriously announce this that we can easily confront any aggression of America. It is possible America could defeat us but cannot defeat the Revolution. For this very reason I am sure of victory on our part. The American government cannot conceive the gist, the sense of martyrdom. So, we with such a spirit can solve all the difficulties of Iran. You see the slogans of the people. They say:" Carter doesn't know what the logic of martyrdom is." I should tell you that the loss and the casualties that we are facing is the heap accumulated for us the fifty years of betrayal and dishonesty of the house of Pahlavi. At the least twenty years shall be consumed only to amend them. Freedom is achieved. Islamic Republic has taken a form. But the complete independence is yet to be attained which depends upon severing reliance on East and West. This is a goal which we are after and we shall gain it.
Question: At times you make a statement telling people what they should do, and when you want to avoid responsibility you say that you can not do anything and that the whole issue rests with the people or the students.
Answer: The fact of the matter is that I am similar to others in that I express my view with respect to what should be done. However you should not doubt that the hostages are in the hands of the students.
Question: Have you ever made a mistake regarding any given issue?
Answer: every one makes mistakes except the Prophet Muhammad (s), the rest of the prophets and the Imams.