tehran, april 26, irna -- supreme leader of islamic revolution ayatollah ali khamenei
here on wednesday called on groups loyal to the revolution and islamic system to help the
government overcome the problems of the people while maintaining principles and
fundamentals. ayatollah khamenei said various issues should be analayzed beyond political
and factional frameworks. various events and periods are transitory and pass along time
and the only thing remaining steadfast is the responsibility before god and being
answerable to the almighty. therefore, all should fulfil their duties and responsibilities
with respect to the reality, said the paramount leader. the leader stressed the need for
remaining loyal to slogans and principled stances of the revolution. ''all of you believe
in islam, revolution and imam but inside the country there are some who, like the
u.s.,
are against such principles; and it is important to take clear and transparent position
against such oppositions and enmities. however, the stance of some friends and political
groups on the issues are so intangible that anyone who believes in them would feel that he
can even be attached to the counter-revolutionaries,'' said the leader.
ayatollah khamenei said that he did not oppose viewpoints of the opposition or publication
of their analyses within framework of the law as was the case since the beginning of the
revolution but one should not use such pretexts to entrust the affairs of the nation to
the counter-revolutionaries and exert pressure on the revolutionaries. hence, all
personalities, groups and wings loyal to islam and the revolution should adopt concrete
positions against those inside and outside the country who counter the
revolution, path of
the late imam khomeini, 'velayat-e faqih' (guardianship of supreme jurisprudence) and
constitution under the guise of reforms, added the leader. the paramount leader strongly
criticized the position of a section of the press and the presence of
counter-revolutionary and opponent elements (on the scene). ''the revolutionary tendencies
should not keep silent in the face of such realities because a deviationary trend in the
press with an aim to mislead public opinion against islam, revolution and the islamic
system, raises concern among and distorts public opinion every day, prevents dealing with
people's major problems and launches ballyhoo on minor issues instead,'' said ayatollah
khamenei. the method some friends have adopted against such deviationary trend is
'wrong
and inefficient' and practically, provides opponents of the system with the chance to
abuse the press, he leader added. therefore, the method should be rectified, added the
grand ayatollah.
the leader criticized certain tendencies and people for interpreting and presenting
warnings of some benevolent people as opposition to president mohammad khatami.
''the
attitude is not correct because the president is himself defender of the system and the
revolution; moreover, i strongly support the president based on principles and
foundations.,'' said the leader. ayatollah khamenei described the berlin conference as an
'ugly' move and a conspiracy to bring the system and revolution under question. the
foundations organizing such conferences are usually supported by enemies'
security,
political and intelligence organs. the leader stated, the berlin conference was held after
several months of planning and careful selection of the guests purporting that the people
are representatives of various strata of iranian nation. ''the organizers of the
conference had, through such planning and by inviting all the groups abroad opposed to the
system had, in fact, tried to turn the conference into a session to put the revolution and
islamic system on trial. they also wanted to publicize on behalf of the
counter-revolutionaries that fundamental reforms are possible only through elimination of
islam and velayat-e faqih from the constitution or by changing the constitutional
law. but
god thwarted the conspiracy and the disgrace of the berlin conference remained on german
statesmen.'' ''i have nothing to do with german government but it is for the umpteenth
time that german policy makers reveal their lack of talent and their foolishness and are
once again deceived,'' the leader observed.
elsewhere the leader addressed himself to political personalities present at the meeting
and said, ''i have nothing to do with your or your rivals' political line or tendency or
your differences but stress that you should compete with each other and hold debates while
sticking to the principles and fundamentals.'' the leader referred to people's expectation
for removal of their economic problems and said hot debates and political clamors are
obstacles in the way of economic reforms. ''such topics as the priority of political or
economic development have for long taken up the time of various media but executors and
statesmen should be after improving people's economic status irrespective of such issues
because if people are satisfied with economic and living conditions, nothing will
encourage them to raise conflicts. however if people have many economic problems, even if
there is freedom, they will turn back to the government.'' the leader said that all were
hopeful that economic rehabilitation plan proposed by the president would serve as a step
towards removal of public problems but unfortunately, certain officials had shortfalls in
implementing the plan. ''is this a help to government and president?'' questioned the
leader.
the leader told the political personalities present, ''your main position is the context
of the revolution and protection of its principles; you have grown up with the revolution
and today too when the enemies have targeted the principles of the revolution you should
stand firmly in your true position and by assuming the initiative join other friends with
whom you are in agreement in terms of the principles of revolution and the system.''
(Below is the translation of the IRNA Persian report on the meeting of
the youth with the Leader, than you can see the English report of the IRNA, at the end a
link to the speech)
Meeting of tens of thousands of Islamic Iran youth with Ayatollah Sayyed Ali
Khamenie, the
great leader of Islamic Revolution, showed one more time, the unbreakable ties of youth
and system authorities. The wide presence of the youth who came from all around the Iran
to Imam Khomeiny Mossala (Prayer center) in Tehran for "Meeting the Friend",
nonce again nullified the plots of the enemies of the Islamic Revolution for creating the
differences between People and the authorities. IRNA's reporters, from the site if this
meeting that is taking place in the first day of youth week, reported that the flood of
youth gathering is so much that after hours of this meeting, still youth looking for
meeting with the leader are entering the Imam (RA) Mossala. In addition to Tehrani youth
Thousands of youth from other cities came to Tehran since last night and today in order to
meet the wise leader. The participating youth in this meeting, showed their anger and
dishonor toward the plots of the enemies of the Islamic Revolution against the sacred
system of Islamic Republic of Iran by chanting slogans like: "death to america",
"death to israel", "death to hypocrite". "Hayhat menn-alZellah
(no lowliness), We are not the people of Koofa, to leave Ali alone, Oh freeborn leader we
are ready, ready" were among the other slogans that was chanted by the
zealous, revolutionary, and awake youth of the Islamic Iran in support of the eminent
leader.
"Hypocrite shame on you, leave the press, and death to the agents with pen" too
was among the other slogans which were chanted by participants in this glorious
celebration.
leader receives tens of thousands of young people
tehran, april 20, irna -- tens of thousands of young people here thursday called on the
leader of the islamic revolution ayatollah seyed ali khamenei at the late imam khomeini
prayer ground, to display their commitment to the lofty values of islam and
revolution. on
the occasion of the youth week, tens of thousands of girls and boys from throughout the
country rushed to the prayer ground from early hours of thursday to personally meet with
their beloved leader. carrying placards and pictures of the founder of the islamic
republic, the late imam khomeini, and leader of the islamic revolution ayatollah khamenei
and president mohammad khatami, the iranian youth once again demonstrated their full
support for the leadership, the country's officials and islamic and revolutionary
values.
addressing the youth, the paramount leader gave guidelines on crucial role of the youth in
the society, conspiracies of the enemies particularly those of the u.s. against the
islamic revolution and the country's cultural status and the press. the full text of
leader's remarks will be followed.
::irna 20/04/2000 12:50
Excerpts of the speech
tehran, april 20, irna -- the leader of the islamic revolution, ayatollah seyed ali
khamenei said here thursday that the press should respect the constitution, enlighten
people, observe the country's interests and write in the interest of people and
islam.
addressing tens of thousands of young people gathered in the late imam khomeini prayer
ground, the leader said that he is suffering from some phenomena taking place inside the
country. as to the conspiracies of the global arrogant powers spearheaded by the
u.s., the
leader said that washington is attempting to hatch plots against iran through its radio
stations, like what it did in a number of countries including eastern european
states. ''unfortunately, the same enemy which has tried to mislead the public opinion of different
countries through its radio stations has set up a base inside our country,'' the leader
regretted. a number of the existing papers in the country have turned into bases of the
enemies and are doing the same thing as the british, the u.s. and the zionist broadcasting
agencies are trying to do, ayatollah khamenei said. ''i am not opposed to the press nor am
i against the variety of the press, if the number of newspapers being published in the
country reaches 200 from 20 i will be happier ,'' the leader said adding, ''some segments
of the press concentrate their efforts on inciting the public, sowing discord and making
the people pessimist about the system.'' ''10 to 15 papers are seemingly being guided by
one center. they select similar titles on different incidents and try to magnify small
incidents. the one who reads such titles may think that verything in the country has been
lost. those segments of the press dash hopes of the youth, weaken the confidence of people
in the country's officials and insult the very basic foundations of the country. i do not
know who and where their model is. even the western press are not like them. this is a
kind of press charlatanism being followed by some segments of our press today,'' the
supreme leader noted.
:irna 20/04/2000 13:41
tehran, april 19, irna -- leader of the islamic revolution ayatollah seyed ali khamenei
received the visiting yemeni president, ali abdullah saleh here tuesday. president
mohammad khatami is also present at the meeting.
Tehran, April 19, IRNA NEWS AGENCY -- The leader of the Islamic
Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in a message on Wednesday offered his
condolences to Indian Muslims, the Ulema and seminarians over the demise of his envoy to
India, Hojatoleslam Zish'an Heydar Javadi on April 15. the message also condoled the
Hojatoleslam's bereaved family and wished them courage to bear the loss. it hailed the
alim as the one who spent his blissful life in serving Islam and Muslims through his pen
and speech as well as the establishment of Islamic institutions. end IRNA NEWS AGENCY
19/04/2000 18:42
Tehran, April 17, IRNA, The leader of the Islamic revolution, ayatollah Seyed Ali
Khamenei here Monday hailed the "valuable honors" brought by the armed forces
during the revolution, the imposed war and the post-war era. The leader also stressed
preservation of the spiritual morale and attention to the power of faith, and underlined
the necessity of vigilance in the face of efforts made by enemies to undermine the
country's independence and security. The supreme leader made the remark addressing a group
of commanders and personnel of the armed forces on the occasion of the army day (April
17). The leader said what has been accepted as a proven code of conduct in most armed
forces of the world is the one between the superior and inferior as a spiritless and
hierarchical relationship but, he stressed, the Islamic revolution introduced a new policy
which is the brotherly relationship between the commander and the subordinate and a
relationship based on brotherhood and amity. The commander-in-chief of the armed forces
said there is no contradiction between fraternity and amity in the armed forces on the one
hand and the hierarchical system on the other. He stressed that sincere relationships are
the manifestation of a combat-ready organization and while the hierarchy and bureaucratic
limits are observed fully, everyone should stand in his own place. The supreme leader
referred to the resistance of small units to the well-equipped army divisions (of the
enemy) during the eight years of sacred defense as the result of spiritual relationship
between the low-ranking personnel and top echelons of defense institutions. Turning to the
role-played by European modernism in stripping various societies and nations of their
faith, ayatollah Khamenei termed loss of faith as the greatest loss for the mankind today.
The leader described rivalry among the armed forces as a loophole through which the enemy
can infiltrate, calling on them to be careful not to let the enemy to take advantage of
this loophole to undermine independence and security as well as national and religious
identity of the country. The leader ruled out prejudices, which cause one section to
negate the other. Prior to the leader's statements, commander of the armed forces major
general Ali Shahbazi, briefed ayatollah Khamenei on the measures taken by the armed forces
to achieve self-sufficiency and to improve its military readiness.
The major general also reiterated the readiness of the army to obey the orders of the
commander-in-chief of the armed forces, ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
tehran, april 14, irna -- the leader of the islamic revolution,
ayatollah seyed-ali khamenei, said here friday that 'reformation' is an inherent element
of every revolution, but warned that the word as applied by americans in their reference
to and in their propaganda campaign against iran meant a doing without islam and breaking
down he barriers and the bounds of religion-based morality in private life and at the
official level. ayatollah khamenei who was addressing tens of thousands of worshipers at
the friday congregational prayers at the compounds of tehran university as leader of the
friday prayers reminded that the americans were seeking to inculcate their own
interpretations of 'reformation' into the minds of iran's muslim people for purely private
purposes. he said the present administration in the islamic republic started with the
national policy dictum of 'reformation'. reformation, he said, is something which appeals
to every citizen in iran. but that kind of reformation, he reminded, is one based on the
ideological principles of the islamic revolution, islam and religious faith of the people.
ayatollah khamenei said the kind of political or social reformation (in iran) that appeals
to the american government is naturally incompatible with islam and is as such certainly
despised by iran's muslim people. he said as long as there are the slightest flaws in any
aspect of the administration of the affairs of the islamic state those flaws would have to
be remedied by some form of 'reformation'. he reminded that as far as the people with
religious belief and with belief in the islamic revolution are concerned, reformation is
the introduction and mplementation of any policy, practice and strategy to remedy flaws in
the economic system, and in judiciary and also in the administration of affairs in an
islamic statehood. ayatollah seyed-ali khamenei said truly the americans do not really
advocate 'reformation' in iran because they are basically against the islamic revolution
at its foundation.
he deplored that certain people in iran were only repeating the wishes of the americans in
the country who, he said, seemed to trust the enemies of the islamic state more than they
trusted their own administration. he threatened he might one day want to divulge the ames
of the people who were promoting the schemes of the country's enemies in iran to the
disadvantage of the country's muslim people. the leader of the islamic revolution said he
did not personally resent the people who on occasions had engaged in violent actions
breaching peace here and there in the country in the form of protests but, he observed, he
was unhappy with certain people in authority whose duty it is to direct the mentality and
ideology of the people on a properly islamic course which duty, he said, they had
occasionally shunned. he did not mention names or titles.
in his second sermon to worshipers at tehran university compound he
said: "a revolution would be impossible without 'reformations'. no one human society
would be able to survive without 'reformations'. from the outset of the islamic revolution
everybody wished for 'reformations' and everybody did something, as much as he could, to
make those reformations happen. and here is an administration that has 'reformations' as
its national policy dictum. i know what was in the minds of the people at the head of this
administration, among them our respectable president, who published the national policy
dictum of 'reformations'. they want islamically-based reformations. "it is no denying
that there are reformations that will have to be ade at the national level. we need
administrative reform, we need economic, judicial, security, and legal and regulative
reforms. in our government agencies we need regulations to be carried out and applied to
all without prejudice. if our laws and regulations in those agencies are not carried out
in that manner then it is a corruption that will have to be remedied. taking and accepting
bribe should not be experienced in our agencies. if there is, it will have to be remedied.
wealth can be accumulated only by means that are wholly islamic. if there people who have
amassed wealth by means other than approved by the canon laws of islam that is a
corruption that will have to be remedied. if there are people who have enjoyed privileges
unauthorized by the laws of the state, if there are people who have amassed wealth by
impoverishing others, that is a corruption that need to be remedied by reform. if there
have been exclusive privileges for certain people in our society, if all the people have
not had equal opportunity, that is a corruption that will have to be remedied by reform.
"if there is not sufficiently enough job security, or if our laws and regulations are
not stable enough; if the people who want to earn a living by their own toil are prevented
doing so and are denied the opportunity to do so, that is a corruption that will have to
be remedied by reform. if our societies are inclined to becoming purely
consumption-oriented societies, that is a corruption that will have to be remedied by
reform. if we have an economy in which business nterprises are mainly commission
enterprises that is a corruption that will have to be remedied by reform. all those things
will have to be reformed. and that is the meaning of reformations. "if the people,
and especially the people at the head of government agencies are undisciplined in the
conduct of their official businesses, and if social discipline is lacking or insufficient
that is a corruption that will have to be remedied by reform. if the feeling for personal
and professional responsibility s absent in our people and in our government
administrators it is another form of corruption that will have to be remedied by
reformation. if we should have a society that will not encourage lofty values in men that
is a corruption that will have to be remedied by reformation. "all those categories
of corruption will have to be remedied. if there happen to be unhealthy and unsound
relations between the two sexes, or if there is addiction in our society, that is a
corruption that will have to be remedied. "if the peoples suffer from insufficient
learning and from inadequate intellectual insight that is another corruption. if our
public officials do not feel professionally as responsible as they should normally do,
that is a corruption that will have to be remedied. "if there are people who break
law and order and act in breach of peace in our towns and cities, that is corruption that
will have to be remedied. if litigation in our courts take too long it is another
corruption that will have to be remedied. "all those forms are corruption, are
corruptions against islam and against the ideological principles of our islamic
revolution. islam compels us to undertake all those forms of reforms. and everybody will
be happy to see the realization of those forms of reformations in our society. "and
those reformations will not be undertaken solely by nice words and promises. reformation
involves action...we have already witnessed many such reformations by our administration
which deserve mention.
"but on the other hand, there are so-called reformations that are considered and
styled such by our 'enemies', and by the americans. the americans insist that we do away
with the islamic 'hijab' for our women. as the americans see it, 'reformations' means the
breaking down in iran of the borders of morality and religion. they advocate a government
not based on the holy qoran, whereas such government is dictated by our constitution.
those brands of reformations (that are encouraged by the americans) are made-in-usa.
"the people of iran have not achieved their accomplishment for a very low price. they
have attained independence. they have attained political and personal development. they
have attained their self-esteem. and none of then for a low price. "all global
power-mongers are going to every extreme for their own interests. we ask them: "what
business do you have in the persian gulf? your own homeland is so far from the persian
gulf. what brings you to this part of the world?" and they say in response that they
have interests and stakes at the persian gulf. there they go. we ask them "how is it
that your interests and your stakes (at the persian gulf) sanction your presence here? how
is it that your interests in this part of the world even authorize you to pull troops to
this region? how come you should have stakes here that should be superior to and nobler
than the stakes and the interests of the people of this very same region? "whatever
they (the americans) pursue is for the sake of their very own interests. if they profess
to support the policy dictum of 'reformation' in iran they are only lying. they will never
support any true reformation in this country. why? because they are opposed to
'reformations' in this country. they are also opposed to the islamic revolution to begin
with. (outcries of 'death to america' by worshipers). they want to shatter the will of the
people of this land for independence and for steadfast resistance. but despite their true
intentions, the americans also resort to (well-wishing) sloganeering with reference to
iran), and there are people here who sadly enough simply echo those american slogans. and
i do not wish to deal with that sad story on this specific occasion: the fact that some
people (in iran) should trust their enemies more than they trust their friends, and the
fact that some people should be nicer to enemies than to their true friends. to echo and
amplify the rhetoric of enemies in their arguments with their friends. that is really a
sad story. but, on the other hand, i cannot for ever keep that from you people. and one
day i will eventually tell you what certain people have been doing in this country in the
interests of our enemies and against our own people. in the interest of the aggressor and
the oppressors and against the oppressed. but allow me now to drop the topic at that.
"but i now wish to address myself to the iranian nation, to your youth, and to our
political entities and bid them 'to fear god'. to be pious. piety is the top message of
the weekly friday congregational prayers. and divine-piety prevents us being hoodwinked
into trusting our enemies. divine-piety will prevent us succumb to the wishes of our
enemies who intend to pit us against each other and divide us. our enemies intend to see
differences and rifts prevailing among the various sectors of the iranian society. our
enemies long to see rifts between public officials here. our enemies long to see the
eruption of a civil war in iran. our enemies would not see that the islamic republic has
been able to keep iran secure and calm. any development on this land on any pretext, as
the result of mere ignorance or malicious intentions of any person or group of persons
that should pit his nation into insecurity will gladden our enemies... for example the
unrest that happened in two of our cities in connection with the majlis elections was not
called for. those who protest or wish to take objection to something can do so with the
aid of the laws of the land. it would not be justified or wise to smash windows, and to
ruin public or private property as a sign of protest. no one person will praise such acts
(outcries of 'death to the munafeqeen'). "wherever and whenever the smallest of such
incidents happened in iran they were aggrandized by the propaganda apparatus of our
enemies. they even lauded and encouraged the behavior. that is right. our enemies praise
unrest.
"but if our judiciary system should to get legally tough with the people
responsible for that unrest, that will entail the hostile propaganda bombardment by our
enemies. that is what and how our enemies are. we should not be hoodwinked into doing
anything by our enemies. i now call on all individuals, groups and youth and he people to
be watchful. even now i do not have a complaint against the people. but if i should have
complain, i would complain against the people who sometimes, though not always, do not act
according to their official responsibilities. "the unity of the people, and their
spiritual oneness is round the pole of islam and the sacred islamic laws. it is round the
pole of the laws of the state and of the constitution, the bulk of which certainly, are
based on the canon laws of islam. such is the quality of our national unity, and i hope
god almighty will shower us all with his blessings, and i hope the imam of our time
(hazrat mahdi) will bless us all, and god willing, the government authorities will be able
to fulfill these islamic and revolutionary reformations at their best possible form.
:irna 14/04/2000 19:01
The following is a translation of the second khutabh of the Friday
Prayer. The translation is done by a western news agency and although seems to be more or
less ok, its accuracy has not been checked with the original text. What is very much
noticeable is that this news agency was only interested in the political sections of His
Eminence speech and most of the historical and ideological sections of the speech were not
translated.
In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate...
In the second sermon, in view of our nation's and society's need for unity and solidarity,
I have chosen a topic to discuss. At the beginning of the current year, I said that our
slogan this year should be national unity and national security. Truly, in view of the
country's circumstances, the current problems and international issues, the state
officials and the people - each in accordance with their share of responsibilities -
should pursue these two important slogans.
I would like to lay greater emphasis on national unity, because security stems from unity.
That is, in the absence of unity, our national security will be endangered and this will
create insecurity. Now, what do we mean by the word unity? Do we mean that all the people
should think alike? No. Do we mean that all the people should have the same political
inclination? No. Do we mean that all the people should support one person, one
personality, one faction and one group? No, this is not the meaning of unity. What we mean
by the people's unity is that there should be no division, no fighting and no skirmishes.
This is what we mean by unity. Even two factions who do not believe in the same religious
faith, can be united. That is, they can stick together and avoid fighting.
One of the misfortunes, which undermine unity, is the wrong interpretation of issues which
is constantly put into peoples' minds. I mean, they throw an expression at the people and
everyone offers a different interpretation of the expression. A group from each side
creates sensation and division. They create an unnecessary division. Of course the enemy
exploits all such problems. And it is highly probable that the enemy is involved in the
creation of some or all of these problems. So we cannot ignore this matter. Unfortunately
some individuals have become sensitive to the word enemy today. As soon as one mentions
the word enemy, these individuals become angry. They say: Why do you mention this word?
Well, the enemy exists and we cannot ignore the enemy. No-one will praise a nation who
fails to recognize its enemy and the enemy's earthworks, weapons and conspiracies.
No-one will praise a nation that is negligent. The enemy exists and he himself says that
he will continue his hostility. The enemy says that it will allocate a budget to create
disorder in Iran. It says that it will set up a radio station to brainwash the people in
Iran. It says blatantly that it intends to divide the people of Iran into two distinct
opposing groups. Now, do you expect us to deny the existence of such an enemy? Will it not
be naive to make such assumptions?... Today, I would like to talk about two subjects. I
hope that you dear ones and the Muslim nation pay attention to these two issues and thwart
those who have sick hearts and who talk or write about these subjects with the aim of
creating discord among people.
The first subject is the subject of violence and the second is the issue of reform. These
are the two subjects which are being debated in our society today. What does violence
mean? Violence, for example, means killing, beating, imprisonment, aggressiveness and
having a bad temper. These are the meanings of violence. Violence is a fact and has an
obvious meaning. For several months now a debate has been going on in some sections of our
press on whether violence is good or bad, or who is for violence and who is against
violence, or whether Islam supports violence or rejects it. Is this really such an
important and complicated issue, or are there other intentions behind this? Islam has
clear and explicit views about violence. The use of violence in Islam is not a principle
in Islam, but at the same time it does not reject violence in instances where it could be
regarded as legitimate.
We have two different sorts of violence. The first is legitimate violence. That is, the
law may prescribe the application of a form of violence. For instance, the law dictates
that some people should go to prison for committing certain offences. This is the meaning
of the law and this is a kind of violence. But this is not undesirable violence. This is
harshness against the people who violate other people's rights. The law is severe against
individuals who have no respect for the law...
The second sort of violence is the illegitimate use of violence. For example, a thug and a
lawless person may deliberately and, contrary to the law, use violence against another
person. For example, he may punch another person without permission. Is this good or bad?
It is bad of course, no doubt about it. This is Islam's view...
Islam is not a one-dimensional religion. When the Islamic state has to deal with bullying,
aggression, riots and instances of law-breaking, it must be tough and decisive. It must
deal with the matter violently. It must not be frightened of the word violence. However,
when it intends to serve and assist the individual members of the nation, it should
observe leniency and moderation... Islam differentiates between legitimate and
illegitimate violence. Not only is legitimate violence good but it is also necessary.
Illegitimate violence is not only bad but it is a crime. We must oppose illegitimate
violence. This is the view of Islam and it is indisputable. And as such, some people - who
neither have any knowledge of the Islamic principles nor are aware of the facts about
[certain] matters - should not fill the newspapers with sensational and deceptive
headlines. This is the fact of the matter. Of course, the enemies, who want to see
the people of the country clash over these issues, have other aims. Those who [reject]
violence in its totality, do not differentiate between legitimate and illegitimate
violence. They are against the legitimate violence. In their views, people should not be
confronted even when they stage riots in the streets of Tehran or undermine people's
security or damage people's property or endanger young people's lives. Why not? Because it
is considered violence. They themselves stage the most atrocious and brutal kind of
violence in various parts of the world. For instance, the Zionists, whose radio promotes
anti-violence - when you listen to the Zionist radio they unremittingly broadcast
anti-violence slogans - shell the south of Lebanon daily and kill adults, women and
children. And their friends - who control the world media - do the same in other parts of
the world... We must not allow ourselves to be deceived by what the enemy puts out on the
airwaves. We must think for ourselves. One of the biggest manifestations of human
independence is the freedom to think for oneself. Look and see what Islam has to say. Look
and hear what correct logic has got to tell us. Is violence bad or good? It is neither bad
nor good. Sometimes it is both bad and good. Legal violence is good. It is necessary.
Unlawful violence is bad. It is ugly and it is a crime...
Our young people are not prone to violence. True believers are not prone to violence.
Devout individuals are not prone to violence. Whenever and wherever violence is dictated
by the law, violence will of course be carried out in accordance with the law. The law is
the law. The law is not something which is hidden or latent. When the prophet of Islam
issued orders to have some individuals killed, he did not whisper those orders into
someone's ear. He spoke out openly and in public. He said in public that whoever came
across Hind [an enemy of the prophet who had killed one of his relatives] should kill her
on the spot. He said that whoever came across such and such a person, they should kill him
or her on the spot. The late imam [Khomeyni] said that whoever came across Salman Rushdie
should kill him. Today, also, if Islamic precepts require the leadership to do something,
that requirement is a duty which will be carried out openly and in public. It will not be
done in secret.
As time is running short, I would like to focus on the second issue, which is the issue of
reform. Reform is one of those expressions which are always attractive. The new [Khatami]
government in office, right from the outset raised the issue of reforms. All human beings
who feel pain and anguish over every form of corruption respond positively to the slogan
of reform, and they support reforms. Reforms are something very good. But what are reforms
all about? It is here that the enemy once again tries to interfere. It is here that the
imperial propaganda of the enemy begins to appear on the airwaves. The enemy does
something to cause a group of people in the country to chant the slogan of reform, while
another group of people chant anti-reform slogans. How is it possible for anyone to be
opposed to reform? This is how the enemy carries out its plan. The task of the enemy is to
create doubt and ambiguity and to muddy the waters in order to exploit the situation.
The enemy is not interested in reforms per se. The thing that can be said on this matter
with firmness and decisiveness can be said in one sentence. In a word, reforms must either
be revolutionary and devoutly Islamic, in which case all the country's officials, all the
country's devout people and all the opinion makers in the country support such reforms. Or
reforms are Americanized reforms, in which case they are opposed by all our country's
officials, all our devoted people and all the vigilant organs of state in this country.
There are two sentences associated with reform which are attributed to Imam Husayn, may
God's peace and blessing be upon him... The imam urged the need for seeking reforms. He
wanted to bring about reforms in society. Somewhere else the imam said that he wanted to
bring about reforms within the Islamic community and in the nation of Islam. The slogan of
Imam
Husayn was all about reform.
What is reform? Reform means that every manifestation of defect, every shortcoming and
every form of corruption is tackled and transformed into something which is correct and
proper. This is what reform is all about. A revolution is itself a great reform even
though in the political reforms around the world a revolution is portrayed in terms of a
face-off with reform. I do not wish to address myself to that kind of reform. I want to
focus on reforms which are Islamic reforms. The revolution in Iran constitutes the biggest
reform in itself. The continuation of reforms, the ongoing process of reforms, is firmly
woven into the very fabric and texture of the revolution. A revolutionary nation, a
vigilant and brave nation, continually looks to see what are the corrupt legacies which it
has inherited from the past, and then it takes steps to overcome and eliminate them...
From the very beginning of the revolution everyone hoped that reforms would be carried
out. And every person has done his or her bit within the limits of their ability. The
government which has come into office has now made reform its slogan. Very well. I know
what is meant by government officials, the individuals for whom reform has become a
guiding principle, and these individuals include the honourable president of our country,
when they talk of reform. They, too, want Islamic reforms. It is obvious that in our
society there are matters which need to be corrected through reform. We need
administrative reforms. We need economic reforms. We need judicial reforms. We need
reforms in the structure of our security system. We need reforms in the field of laws and
regulations. In our administrative structure we need rules and regulations which are
uniform and which do not discriminate against anyone. If discrimination exists in our
rules and regulations, it is a manifestation of corruption and must be rectified. Bribery
and graft must be rooted out. If such things exist, they are manifestations of corruption
and must be rectified. Methods of obtaining and acquiring wealth must be lawful and
legitimate. If wealth has been acquired by some individuals through illegal means, it is
corruption and must be rectified. If some individuals have taken advantage of concessions
and reaped windfalls, and if they have exploited others to enrich themselves in the
process, their actions constitute corruption. And corruption must be rectified. If some
individuals have created monopolies in society, if not everyone has been allowed equal and
fair access to existing resources, this situation amounts to corruption. And corruption
must be rectified. If there is no job security; if there are no stable regulations; if an
individual wishing to work in society is prevented from doing so and robbed of the
opportunity to find employment, then this is corruption and must be put right. If there is
a growing tendency in society towards consumerism, then this is corruption. If wheelings
and dealings take the upper hand over production in economic activities, then this is
corruption. All this must be reformed. This is what reforms are about...
If the people, in particular the country's administrative officials, fall into a state of
indiscipline; if there is no social order or discipline, then this is corruption. If there
is no sense of responsibility, then this is corruption. If young people fail to adopt
virtues, [such as] courage, sincerity, honesty, dynamism, toil and endeavour, then there
is corruption. This corruption must be put right. If there are unhealthy carnal relations
in society, then this is corruption, If there is drug addiction in society, then this is
corruption. This corruption must be put right. If public knowledge and awareness falls
below an optimal level, then this is a kind of corruption in society. If officials fail to
take their responsibilities seriously, then this is corruption and must be put right...
Everyone wants such reforms to be implemented in society. Such reforms, however, will not
be implemented with mere words. They will be implemented by virtue of action and resolve.
We have seen how the officials - officials of the current government, be they from the
executive or judicial branch - have taken some steps, done some work - some very good work
- and drawn up some plans in the directions which I have already stated. But there are
things which the enemy considers to be reforms; which the Americans consider to be
reforms. The Americans are saying that reform means that you must do away with hejab
[Islamic dress code]. That reform means the breaking of moral and religious boundaries.
That reform means that there should be no Koranic rule, nor should laws be compatible with
Islam - which is part of the constitution. Well, these are American reforms. The Iranian
nation has not gained all that it has at a small price. The Iranian nation has gained its
independence. It has gained political and personal growth. It has gained dignity. They
have not been gained at a small price... Whenever they express support for the slogan of
reform, they are lying. They do not support reform in this country in the real sense of
the word. They are against reform in this country. They are also against the principle of
the revolution. They want to break this nation's spirit of resistance and independence.
Of course, they give slogans and make statements, and some individuals repeat their
remarks. This is very sad and I really don't want to say more on the subject - that is the
fact that some individuals have more confidence in their foes than their friends; that
they are kinder to foreigners than friends; that they repeat foreigners' words at the
expense of friends. This is very sad and tragic. I really don't want to delve into this
further but cannot stop myself from telling the Iranian nation about it. The time will
come when I will finally say what some individuals are up to in this country, in the
interest of the enemy and against this
nation; in the interest of the aggressor and against the oppressed. Right now, however, I
don't wish to delve into this subject...
Don't be deceived by the enemy. Don't succumb to enemy pressure. The enemy seeks to create
divisions among us. The enemy wants to sow discord among the Iranian nation. The enemy
wishes for friction among officials. The enemy wishes for a civil war in Iran. The enemy
cannot bear to see that the Islamic Republic has succeeded in maintaining stability and
security in this country. The enemy becomes happy when, wherever and under any pretext -
whether owing to one or several individuals' ignorance or bitterness - it manages to
create an incident which disrupts security.
Incidents have occurred in a couple of towns because of the elections. The incidents
either were caused intentionally or were rooted in ignorance. They should have not
occurred. Those who want to protest about an issue can go through the legal channel. The
breaking of windows, burning and damaging of public and private properties are not the
correct and wise approach. No-one can support those actions. Whenever a small incident of
this kind occurred, the enemy's propaganda machine began to work by aggrandizing or
echoing or even encouraging them. Yes, the enemy encourages insecurity. Last summer in
Tehran, crimes were committed in the streets, security was undermined and riots took
place. And the enemy encouraged it. Meanwhile, if the judiciary wants to deal with it
decisively, the enemy bombards the judiciary's action with intensive propaganda. This is
how the enemy operates. We should not be duped by the enemy... I have no complaints about
the people. There is no complaint about the people. However, I am dissatisfied with those
who are supposed to guide the people in the right direction. Of course, this happens
occasionally. Sometimes, they do not carry out their duties. Maybe they are not aware of
their duties.
National unity is composed of: unity among the people; cordial and spiritual union of the
people; and kindness and harmony among the people. All of these should support the axes of
the Islamic system, the holy principles of Islam, the constitution which is based on
Islamic principles and the country's laws, most of which, if not all of them, are based on
Islam...
tehran, april 14, irna -- the leader of the revolution ayatollah seyed
ali khamenei friday strongly defended the islamic state's resort to violence "within
the law." "it is for some time that some section of the press has opened a
debate on whether violence is good or bad; whether islam supports violence or rejects it?
"the use of violent means is not a principle in islam, but the religion has not ruled
out legal violence either," stated the leader, in his address to a large group of
muslim worshipers on the eve of ashura, the day imam hussein, the third shia imam was
martyred in karbala. "there are two types of violence, one is legal and one is
illegal. if some violates the law, he will be taken to prison, this is not a bad type of
violence because here you protect the human rights. this s violence against the aggressor.
if you do not check this sort of violence, you would face growing violations in the
society." rejecting these debates on violence in the press as unnecessary, the leader
vowed that the islamic regime will act "with strength and violence" against all
those resorting to force, aggression, and violation of the law. "legal violence is
not only good but necessary. illegal violence is not only bad but a crime and must be
encountered," he stressed. he said there were some who preached peace and tanquillity
but practiced violence. "look at the zionists; when you listen to the zionist
regime's radio, they always keep shouting anti-violence slogans, but in practice they
shell south lebanon daily and destroy women and children..." "or when they talk
about the struggle of the palestinians, they call it terrorism because the palestinians
want to take back their lands (from the zionists). they call the people of lebanon
terrorists because they want to oust the zionists from their lands. but the invasion of
the zionist criminals into the lebanese villages, kidnapping and killing of people is not
terrorism. this is their logic."
:irna 14/04/2000 14:43
tehran, april 14, irna -- the leader of the islamic revolution ayatollah
seyed ali khamenei friday reiterated the need for national unity and national security.
addressing a large group of mourning worshipers at the tehran university campus and its
nearby streets, the leader said that in the absence of national unity and security the
government would be unable to function properly. "when there is national unity and
national security, the government too would be able to carry out its constructive
programs," said the leader, adding that in the absence of these two factors the
government would not be able to cope with the economic, social and cultural problems. the
leader said in the event of outbreak of political tension and differences, the first to
suffer would be the government because it would fail to carry out its duties properly. of
course, stressed ayatollah khamenei, by national unity it is not meant that there should
not be different political tastes and clash of ideas. he said even two peoples with
different ideological and religious beliefs can live together and unitedly. criticizing
those who are not comfortable with his warnings against the plots of the enemies, the
leader said no one can ignore the fact that the enemy is there. "no one will admire a
people for failing to see the enemy and realize its conspiracies... no one would praise
you for ignorance. the enemy itself is admitting its hostility. the enemy itself says it
allocates budget to create unrest in iran, that it launches radio ations to disturb the
public opinion in iran, and that it wants to create division among the iranians. this is
what they are explicitly admitting. how can we say, there is no enemy, then? isn't this
naive?"
::irna 14/04/2000 14:16
tehran, april 9, irna - leader of islamic revolution ayatollah ali khamenei said here
on sunday that the islamic revolution housing foundation has the duty to do all in its
power to meet the housing need of the deprived. ayatollah khamenei said the foundation is
one of the most blissful legacies of the father of islamic revolution and founder of the
islamic republic the late imam khomeini. the leader called on officials to
contribute to the solution of housing problems of the deprived and the low income group.
the leader's speech was followed by noon and afternoon prayers under the leadership of
ayatollah khamenei, who donated rls 100 million in cash to the foundation.
:irna 09/04/2000 18:55
tehran, april 9, irna - iranian supreme leader ayatollah seyed ali
khamenei here on saturday underlined important duties of devoted muslim artists to reveal
the truth and to foster the cause of islam and islamic values. ayatollah khamenei who was
addressing the artists and officials of propagation campaigns during the war time, termed
art and culture as basic issues of man's life , saying '' throughout the history, human
beings have always been identified by art ; however, there have been many who misused this
'heavenly gift' for destroying humanity, covering the truth or deceiving others, a trend
which still is going on''. he also described one of the great breakthroughs of the
islamic revolution as using art for the sake of truth and humanitarian purposes adding
that the war was a great opportunity for emergence of new faces in such artistic arenas as
photography, writing, poetry and so on. terming the lack of prominent artistic faces
active in the fields relevant to iran's islamic revolution as a great loss for iran, the
supreme leader stressed the need for supporting new art figures. also, acknowledging
global arrogance's use of the most competent artists and the most advanced communication
means against islam and for presenting a lie instead of a bare reality, the supreme leader
called on iranian artists to support tyro-artists financially and spiritually so as to
encourage them to tell the truth in the language of art thus counterfeiting this evil bid.
in conclusion, he wrapped up his speech by paying tribute to the martyrs of the art and
culture arena while stressing the importance of lending support to devoted artists.
the supreme leader then granted nine veteran artists left from the
campaigners of the war 8-year-long deadly war with iraq 'the first class art and culture
medal'.
::irna 09/04/2000 00:40
tehran, april 4, irna -- the leader of the islamic revolution, ayatollah seyyed ali
khamenei said on tuesday that encouraging people to safeguard the islamic republic of iran
is the best possible way of enjoining good in the contemporary era. the leader said in his
speech to theological students that the propaganda campaign against iran in the name of
human rights and campaign against terrorism have all targeted the system of the islamic
republic and therefore the iranian nation should safeguard the islamic republic as a
prerequisite for enjoining good. ayatollah khamenei said the clerics play major role in
mobilizing popular movement and putting to display the public resolve in iran adding that
the clerics have always been in concord with public opinion which is the essence of the
iranian community.
the leader said the enemies of iran see the clerics as the stumbling block to their goals
in iran and are working to downgrade the influence of the clerics on the people in the
long-run through their lackeys within the country. the supreme leader said any individual
should exercise vigilance to neutralize the conspiracies of the enemies of religion and
independence of the iranian nation adding that the enemies have targeted the sovereignty
of islam and iran's national strength. the leader said the national strength emanated from
national resolve, faith, unity and solidarity between the people and the officials. in the
meantime, the leader said negligence of the enemies could cause a great harm to the
nation. the leader condemned the attempts being made by certain individuals to downplay
the enemy, attribute all the good to the enemy and advocate restoration of relations with
it. "this is a very big mistake that certain individuals attribute all bad things to
the internal forces and all good things to the enemies who do not hide their hostility to
iran," the leader said.
:irna 04/04/2000 16:17
