UPDATED Iran: Full Text --- Karroubi Takes on the Supreme Leader (20 June)

Translation by Khordaad 88:

To the great and honorable nation of Iran,

A year has passed since your spectacular presence during the 10th presidential elections that took place last year. This enthusiastic participation in the elections was a sign of your desire to exercise your right to self-determination in the affairs of your country. Some however, based on a theory that considers people as [mere] supporters of the government and Guardianship of the Jurist rather than appointers, presented their decisions and their votes as though they were yours.

A year has passed since these elections and during this year we witnessed many ups and downs. We witnessed how the powers that trampled upon all modesty, brought upon a negative image for the Islamic Republic. We witnessed the martyrdom of our citizens who had come to the streets only to demand what had happened to their votes. We witnessed bloodshed, killing and the filling of prisons with the children of our regime and revolution.

What were unfortunately lacking during this year were the people’s rights under the Constitution. Instead these fundamental rights were replaced by extreme repression through brutal force with no regard for the sanctity of life. Despite all this darkness and bitterness, we still remain hopeful that the train that has been derailed from the foundations of our Constitution, our revolution and our Imam will return to its original path and that the wrongdoers repent and, in doing so, pave the way for dialogue and interaction.

The Great and noble people of Iran,

A year after the 10th presidential election, having gone through many bitter moments, I foremost want to commend the great families of our martyrs in the past year who, in complete injustice, were not even allowed to hold an honorable funeral for their loved ones.

While offering my condolences, I ask God to bless our martyrs and give the survivors patience and forgiveness. I give my respects to the injured that did not get the chance to recover in peace. I bow down to your strength and endurance. Finally, I remember those who were jailed unjustly in an effort to silence this oppressed but great nation’s righteous voice.

Today the prison cells are filled with compatriots of the revolution and Imam Khomeini , thinkers, intellectuals, youth, and freedom-lovers. We are still hopeful that judiciary officials instead of issuing political indictments and pronouncing sentences dictated to them [by security apparatus] will very soon prepare the context for releasing and freeing all political prisoners and therefore redeem the status of the judicial branch.

The Righteous and noble people of Iran,

Despite numerous differences in how to govern the country and self-fulfilling interpretations of the Constitution by some officials, a relative solidarity and unity existed between people with different opinions , different political factions , majority of the people, and state officials. Before the election, though people’s rights and freedoms were ignored, ethnic and religious minorities were disrespected, women and youth were insulted and confronted sometimes violently, the nation was demoralized, and academic and religious scholarly institutions were under tremendous pressure to submit to the powerful, it still did not compare to what happened in the election and events after it.

They [certain officials] fully utilized the public funds, public media, the military, and the reserves to deny people their say and clumsily rig the election results. They insulted and humiliated the people and their movement after the election, and worst of all ignored the protestors. Such large-scale corruption had never taken place in the past 30 years.

Thus, even if there was a relative national unity in the country a year ago, after some officials plundered people’s votes, such unity seems impossible. The election candidates as well as their supporters along with many sects and groups in the society protested this big and obvious wrongdoing. We remember the message that brought them together: “Where is my vote?”

But unfortunately the administration has decided to react to the demonstrations by employing violence, heightening security, jailing and torturing protestors, and convicting them in show trials instead of listening to their message and acting fairly within the legal framework. These actions have taken a great toll on the nation. They have falsely accused some of the most experienced leading figures in the religious and political scene of infidelity, treason, and armed confrontation. They are selling out all the worldly and spiritual capital of the country.

My beloved nation of Iran,

As you all know, and I as I have mentioned before, events of last year have exposed those who think of themselves as connected to the powerful. Their foot soldiers are their media outlets and websites who steal from the oil income and other public funds. They are burning down the Islamic Republic in flames so large that have reached all the dedicated servants of the people and revolutionaries. Their flames have even reached Imam Khomeini’s house and that of his grandchild –-- Seyed Hassan, who is a great scholar and intellectual –--- and other senior clergymen.

We all saw the group of thugs who dishonored Imam Khomeini’s house and Mausoleum . We also saw the wide condemnation of these foolish acts from the people and clergymen. In reaction to this condemnation, a newspaper, surrounded by many evils and which knows no law or boundaries in using foul language, backed the thugs who insulted Imam’s grandson for the crime of being on the people’s side.

This was not enough for the malevolent newspaper. Without regard for anything, they ripped through the veil of respect for the Sources of Emulation. In a wave of insults never seen before, they threatened those who had condemned the attacks on descendents of Imam [Khomeini]. This newspaper scolded the Sources of Emulation for their concerns. The newspaper asked them: “What can [possibly] stand against the defence of Islam and the Revolution?”

It is very unfortunate that people [who] have no understanding of the Islamic and Revolutionary teachings of Imam [Khomeini] still want to impose their power-hungry understanding on others with threats, force, and prison. [These "others"] include the greatest and most respected Sources of Emulation within Shi’ite Islam. [Such actions are committed] while the history of Emulation is long and its position is very well-regarded. Sources of Emulation are the guardians of Prophet Mohammad’s Islam during the time before the return of his descendant. But [the hardliners] even see these [revered figures] as subjects to their power. This is why they send their ground-troops to the offices of Sources of Emulation in Qom to invite them to the "right" path. And when the Sources of Emulation deny this, they pay a group to attack the offices of Grand Ayatollah Saane’i and Grand Ayatollah Montazeri and demand that they exit Qom.

Thinking about these incidents and [seeing] images from these wild attacks leads us to [ask] the following questions: Has respect and dignity for religion and Sources of Emulation ever been ripped apart this badly in the history of the Shi’ites? How is it that some people have shifted from [being members] of a group that used the name of the daughter of the great Prophet as code for its operations –-- people who defended the land against those who waged war –-- to those who attack the offices of eminent Sources of Emulation at 5.30 in the morning and loot their property, belongings, and religious books?

Who is ready to answer for this great deviation? We still remember the days before the victory of the Revolution when the bold opinion of one person against one Source of Emulation, [published] in a prominent newspaper, was met with a storm of response. But today a newspaper which is seen as the representative of the Supreme Leader insults these religious figures so easily. Maybe today’s awful constraints, as well as the immeasurable protection and financial support that these slanderers receive, stops people from holding them accountable and responding to them. But they should know that people will never forget these insults. Let them even ignore the people. If they are not responding, will God stand still and do nothing in the face of such terrible oppression of great men of religion and Islam?

If we move past the slander and insult in that evil editorial, there is a detail that is actually accurate and worth thinking about. [I am talking about] a quote from Ali, the first Imam of the Shi’ites. He said that individuals should be judged based on the criteria of justice; not that justice should be measured by what some individuals proclaim. Indeed, what is the definition of right and wrong (and justice) from the perspective of these "honorable" men? How can you respond to people’s demands for their votes with bullets and then talk about justice? What formed the basis of people’s demands was their right to vote. After the atrocities at Kahrizak detainment center and other legal and illegal prisons, people began to add more demands to their list. How can you open fire on people and then ask them to stop asking for those responsible?

Who from the beginning interpreted pronouncing justified demands and asking questions about [our] votes against the Guardianship of the Jurist [Velayat-e-Faqih]? Why, by means of the Guardianship of the Jurist has a hatchet been taken to the very roots of the Constitution and the Islamic Republic that was founded on the people’s vote? Why has the authority of Guardianship of the Jurist been so greatly extended that I doubt that much authority and power were [even] given to the Prophets or the infallible [Shi’a] Imams? I even doubt that God considers himself to have the right to deal with his servants in the same way [that the Supreme Leader does].

Historically, Shi’a Islam considers criticism of the ruler not only necessary but a requirement based on the Sharia law stipulation that describes “advising the leader of Muslims” [1] . Imam Sadegh [2] says “my dearest brother is the one who tells me my faults”. But as you can see, these gentlemen understand voicing opinions and views to be in opposition to Guardianship of the Jurist .The Supreme Leader expressed his opinion regarding the election [and post-election events]. But the people, while maintaining respect for him , had a different view and demanded that their votes [be counted]. Is it possible to take away the people’s right to question [events] and to distort their perception and understanding by jailing them in places like Kahrizak or killing them? They attack Marjaas and damage their homes, justifying [their actions] based on the views of the Supreme Leader. Or, by recruiting thugs, [they] insult the compatriots of Imam Khomeini and crush the articles of the Constitution under their authoritarian boots. Imam Khomeini’s compatriots and [our] wise people have not forgotten his tradition, manners and conduct. On many occasions where Imam Khomeini voiced his opinion on an issue, officials acted differently and according to their own judgments and understanding. Yet the Imam was never upset over this. [Moreover], no one would object to those officials or infringe on their rights. If the greatest marjas and the Supreme Leader do not detect the crescent of the new moon that marks the end of Ramadaan; if, instead an illiterate shepherd or simple laborer observes the new moon on the high hill of his territory and therefore breaks his fast – can someone call him an infidel, an armed dissident, a stooge of the US and of Zionism and [accuse him of acting] against the Guardianship of the Jurist as well as the state? If we assume the officials did not realize that the people’s votes were stolen, but people have observed it with their own eyes, can someone call them an infidel or an armed dissident, or [accuse them of being] against the Guardianship of the Jurist ? How is asking questions regarding one’s votes related to opposing Islam, religion and the Guardianship of the Jurist ? How is it that some people consider a demand for rights to be a crime and against the Guardianship of the Jurist when, in Islam, a dissident can debate with an infallible Imam even regarding the existence of God?

Freedom-loving and noble people of Iran

We all remember that the socio-political views of the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran were different from those of the great Marja of the time, Ayatollah Boroudjerdi . But no one recalls them having said anything against each other or having encouraged and incited their supporters to confront each other, causing unrest in religious society.

We all recall the Imam’s response to the different views of Marjaas[Sources of Emulation] within the seminary. In particular, [we recall] the manner with which he responded to the late Ayatollah Golpayegani’s social and even political views, as well as his views on jurisprudence The announcement for Eid-e-Fetr for all Muslims was even made in his name in all of the media outlets. I recall, specifically, a tape that a number of people had recorded of one of Ayatollah Golpaygani’s sermons. It was about fifteen minutes long and related to the Guardianship of the Jurist [Velayat-e Faqih ] His views were in complete contradiction to the Imam’s, yet when they brought this tape to the Imam, he ordered for Ayatollah Golpaygani’s remarks to be broadcast on national radio twice with all the details. We all recall that during the first presidential term of the current Supreme Leader [4], he had in mind a candidate for Prime Minister who was not recommended by the Imam or by Parliament. How beautiful [it was] that [Khamenei] was able to firmly stand behind his decision even though the Imam, with the power of the Guardianship of the Jurist , did not agree with him. The response to opposing the Supreme Leader as well as the Velayat-e Faqih was different at the time. . I even remember the infamous events that followed the election of Mr. Mousavi to the post of Prime Minister for a second time in 1364. 99 Parliamentary representatives did not vote for Mr. Mousavi and the current Supreme Leader, who was president at the time, famously stated that “99 people have cast a vote of non confidence and that will be 100 votes if you include mine.” He also stated the following during the inauguration and in the presence of spectators and reporters: “As I administer this presidential oath, I pledge that its execution is not completely within my authority.” With that announcement, [Khamenei] continued to assert his opposition to the choice of the Imam. However, neither he nor any of the members of Parliament who voted against the Imam’s selection were insulted, arrested, or described as against the regime or the Guardianship of the Jurist We can all recall the speech of one of the representatives of the second Parliament and the comments he made to those who disapproved of the fact that his words were against the views of the Imam: “If [speaking against the Imam] is unacceptable, then maybe he should send 270 ‘muzzles’ to Parliament.” Even after making such an inflammatory statement, that individual was never frowned upon by the Imam or his offices. He was never harassed, tortured or arrested for that speech. In fact, he was even appointed to a senior legal position within the Guardian Council and served as deputy to the Judiciary. He was also on the radar of many high-level officials within the regime. I remember that when he visited the Imam – even though it was not customary at that time – they even broadcast the news that a member of Parliament had visited the Imam on national radio.

Now compare that Guardianship of the Jurist which one might imagine, based on the scholarly and practical teachings of the founder of the Islamic Republic, with the image that is presented today of the Guardianship of the Jurist and the defense of which casts a shadow over what goes on. God knows what damage the betrayal by a number of people of the Guardianship of the Jurist and the people’s religion has done to the people and their spiritual beliefs.

Proud and Noble Nation of Iran:

One year after the tenth presidential elections and after what they did with your votes, and one year after blood was spilled so that you may gain your rights, I declare again, clearly and sincerely, that in accordance with my pact with you I have stood firm until the very end, and that I am ready to sit down with anyone who should present themselves from the side of the authorities and debate with them. I will express my views on the Constitution, the Line of the Imam, and the Revolution, so that the people—the same people of whom the Imam said that his life is a sacrifice for each and every one of them—may sit in judgment and establish which are the people who have deviated from the Constitution, the path and thought and ideals of the Revolution, and which are the people who despite all the pressures and difficulties they have faced have held fast to the principles [of the Revolution and Constitution]. It is only in this kind of free debate in front of the nation that the lost trust of the people can be recovered. And had it been it possible to convince the people with this mass of propaganda and with a quagmire of lies and accusations, there would have been no need for crackdowns, and they would have given protesters permission to hold a silent march, without fear and without recourse to armed force. Yet the opponents of the people’s vote were not prepared to allot to the protesters even an insignificant share of the possibilities of expression through the media and propaganda channels which they [the authorities] control, so that they [the protesters] might explain and given an account of or declare their positions, or express their viewpoint and defend themselves from the unjust accusations brought against them. Rather the gentlemen saw logic in bullets and fired them on the people. Astonishingly, the gentlemen, instead of running the country and listening to the voice of the people, in this “heavenly Islamic city”[4] shouted slogans about running the world and planning for its inhabitants. They fear both the people and their own shadows, and instead of development for the country, their programme is composed of crackdowns and the spread of prisons and Kahrizaks [detention/torture centres], while in their heads they also entertain the idea of running the world.

Noble and Righteous Nation of Iran:

The vote they stole from you and the rights that they took from you unjustly are a shameful stain that cannot be hidden with whatever colour it is painted over. This is so much the case that after one year, despite all the pressures and intimidation, not only have your rightful demands not been forgotten, but this desire for change has taken deep root in different layers of society, based on an extensive social network. This widespread desire is not something that can be destroyed by means of crackdowns, intimidation, arrests and arbitrary courts. God has requested of believers that they be patient and enduring, and has promised them victory. Although your road is hard and winding, nonetheless the future promised by God belongs to you and the oppressors are destined to nothingness. “Is not the morning nigh?” [5]

[1] A well known quote from Prohpet Mohammad Peace Be Upon Him , regarded by him as one of the most important responsibilities of Muslims.

[2] The six Shia Imam

[3] Ayatollah Khamenie

[4] An ironic allusion to the claims made by some high-ranking dignitaries that the aim of the Islamic Republic is to build a heavenly regime, literally omm olqora-ye eslam, ‘Mother of the Villages of Islam’, in Iran.

[5] Quran 11:81.

The Latest from Iran (15 June): Another Anniversary

1850 GMT: Claimed video of today's gathering at Behesht-e-Zahra cemetery, apparently at the grave of Sohrab Arabi:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gikWMCaTbzE[/youtube]

NEW Iran’s Green Communications: Beyond Twitter to “Small Media” (Enayat)
NEW Iran Analysis: Missing the Important Story?
Iran: The Attack on Montazeri, Sane’i, Karroubi
Iran Analysis: The Regime’s Next Push Against “Nothing Special”
The Latest from Iran (14 June): The 2nd Year Is Underway….

1730 GMT: The Cemetery Protest. Reports coming in that at least eight people, six of them women, have been arrested in Beheshte-Zahra. One woman was detained as she talk to the mother of the slain protester Sohrab Arabi.

1725 GMT: Political Prisoner Watch. HRANA reports that Sadra Aghassi and Naem Ahmadi of Tabriz University's Islamic Student Association were arrested on 14 June, 2010.

Allameh Tabatabei University student Koroush Jannati was arrested on 12 June by intelligence agents after reporting to the university’s security office.

1715 GMT: The Mousavi Charter. The Los Angeles Times has an interesting reading of today's declaration by Mir Hossein Mousavi of objectives and strategies for the Green Movement.

The website notes that most of Mousavi's statement points to reform within the Iranian system with statements such as....

The Green Movement reaffirms its commitment to human, moral, religious and Iranian principles and values and feels obliged to refine and reform the behaviors of the Islamic Republic of Iran....The Green Movement is in continuation of Iranian people's efforts to attain freedom and social justice and national sovereignty...These objectives had already been pursued in the Constitutional Revolution, Oil Nationalization Movement [of 1951] and the [1979] Islamic Revolution.”

However, the Times notes one passage in the PDF version of the statement, but omitted from the version on Mousavi's website Kalemeh, that points to a separation of state and religion: "Maintaining the independence of religious and clerical bodies from the regime is the only option to preserve the exalted status of religion in the Iranian society and it will be one of the main principles hitting high on the agenda of the Green Movement.

1703 GMT: Today's Demonstrations. Dissected News reports from a source (see comments below) that about 200 family members of "Detainees of 12 June" gathered in front of Evin Prison, demanding the freedom of their relatives. The gathering lasted until dark.

Activists are reporting, and opposition websites are carrying the story, that about 300 people have gathered in Behesht-e-Zahra cemetery to pay their respects to those slain in post-election clashes, including Sohrab Arabi and Ramin Ramezani. Two people who were taping the ceremony have reportedly been arrested, and security presence is high.

1700 GMT: Khordaad 88 have posted an English translation of Mir Hossein Mousavi's Monday statement, which hailed the Iranian people's fortitude over 22 Khordaad (12 June) and condemned the weekend attacks on clerics.

We are still awaiting a full translation of Mousavi's declaration today of a "charter" for the Green Movement.

1650 GMT: Political Prisoner Watch. Labour activist Behnam Ebrahimzadeh was arrested during Saturday's demonstrations. It is claimed that Ebrahimzadeh, beaten during his detention, suffered two broken ribs and multiple injuries.

1645 GMT: Propaganda of Day. This line, set out by Minister of Intelligence Heydar Moslehi, may be just a bit too blatant to work.

Moslehi said Tuesday that several people linked to the "terrorist" People's Mujahedin of Iran had been arrested over plans to carry out bombings on 22 Khordaad (12 June), the anniversary of the election: “Two terrorist teams of hypocrites were identified and their key members were arrested” The alleged plan was to “carry out bombings in several Tehran squares" (i.e., the squares where the regime put out security forces on Saturday to deter gatherings).

Britain, France, and Sweden were the foreigners accused of “backing” the PMOI (Britain, of course, as the "Little Satan", France for its recent anti-Iran rhetoric, but why Sweden?). And one of the suspects had been arrested “in a student dormitory” (i.e., a student dormitory like the one that security forces attacked last 14-15 June, killing several people).

1625 GMT: Attack by the Clerics. Rooz Online in English has an overview, covering many of the events we have noted in the updates, of the criticism by clerics of the treatment of Seyed Hassan Khomeini at the 4 June ceremony for his grandfather.

1315 GMT: Mousavi's Charter. The first English-language report on Mir Hossein Mousavi's charter for the Green Movement, posted this morning (see 0940 GMT), comes from Agence France Presse. The article leads with Mousavi's call for "a fair trial of those who committed the election fraud, tortured and killed protesters" and mentions his demand for an "end to the involvement of police and military forces in politics, the independence of the judiciary, and prosecution of those in plainclothes".

1240 GMT: Concluding and Pronouncing. Yet another sweeping assessment of the Green Movement, this time from Karim Sadjadpour.

Most of Sadjadpour's piece consists of recommendations such as "Go Beyond Street Protests", for example, with strikes, "Organize Abroad", and "Reach Out to 'Ali The Plumber'" --- and he does conclude with hope, "The path to democracy is both delicate and daunting, and not guaranteed. A pessimist might argue, however, that a far more daunting task will be for the Islamic Republic to indefinitely sustain a politically repressive, socially restrictive, economically floundering theocracy in the 21st century."

Still, it's the opening of the piece, issued as truth even before Saturday had concluded, that sets the tone and catches the eye: "The anniversary of Iranʼs tainted presidential elections came and went without much sign of life from the opposition Green Movement. Aside from scattered protests, activists were understandably cowed by governmental intimidation and heeded the advice of opposition elders to preserve their powder for future battles."

1115 GMT: Beyond Facebook. Amidst the current discussion on new and social media and the Green Movement, an interesting contribution by Mohammad Sadeghi, the organiser of the Mir Hossein Mousavi and Zahra Rahnavard Supporters' Networks on Facebook: "The Green Movement is crafting a new and nonviolent political discourse that holds tremendous repercussions for a region in which the vast majority of civil actors are anything but peaceful. This movement is the culmination of more than 100 years of struggle by the Iranian people to secure their basic rights and liberties. Let's use this opportunity to remind ordinary Iranians of the amazing and very real victories they have already won, and not lecture them about their inefficacy and inefficiency, which is wholly imagined and miscalculated."

0940 GMT: A Charter for the Greens. It was promised, and now it's published: Kalemeh has posted Mir Hossein Mousavi's statement of objectives and strategies for the Green Movement.

Inconveniently, I have to go to an academic meeting, so I'll hand over to readers for perusal and comment.
0935 GMT: Beyond Green Tweets. We've published an analysis by Mahmood Enayat, "Iran's Green Communications: Beyond Twitter to 'Small Media'".

0930 GMT: Remembering. Rah-e-Sabz publishes names and details of 29 people killed on 25 Khordaad (15 June) last year.

0855 GMT: The Battle Within. Khabar Online --- have we mentioned that it is the website linked to Speaker of Parliament Ali Larijani? --- assesses that President Ahmadinejad's televised interview on the anniversary of his "victory" will upset "even the hardliners".

There's a bit of evidence for that assertion from Kayhan, which analyses that some people have "given wrong advice" to Ahmadinejad, "incompatible with his Islamic revolutionary thoughts". Looks like the President's criticism of "morality police" for pressuring people over "bad hijab" and other transgressions is not going down that well....

On another front, Hamid Reza Fouladgar, who oversees privatisation matters in Parliament, has commented about the dispute over implementation of Majlis laws by Ahmadinejad: "After 1 week of discussions, we were met with his silence, hopefully a good sign/"

0845 GMT: Political Prisoner Watch. The father of student activist Mohammad Reza Jalaiepour, of the Third Way Movement, has described his son's re-arrest: those carrying out the raid "told us Ahmadinejad will stay for a third term".

0840 GMT: The Attacks on the Clerics. Writing in Rah-e-Sabz, analyst Mohammad Javad Akbarein claims that there is a circle of regime politicians and clerics, including Hojatoleslam Ruhollah Hosseinian, formier Minister of Intelligence Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejeie, Mohammad Golpayegani, and Hamid Rasaie, who have been organising attacks against "opposition" marja (senior clerics) and their followers for years.

0835 GMT: Where's Mahmoud? President Ahmadinejad is returning to Tehran after a visit to Assalouyeh in the Persian Gulf province of Bushehr to sign contracts to expand Phases 13, 14, 23, 22, 19 and 24 of the South Pars oil and gas fields.

The story behind Ahmadinejad's trip is that the contracts have been rewritten after the withdrawal of foreign companies, including Royal Dutch Shell and Spain's Repsol, from development. The work was re-allocated to Iranian firms, including some allegedly connected with the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps.

0830 GMT: We've corrected an oversight by posting President Obama's official statement, emphasising human rights, on the anniversary of Iran's election.

0620 GMT: As Iran marks another anniversary --- this one of last year's mass protest against the outcome of the Presidential election --- we post an analysis considering latest developments and media coverage, "Missing the Important Story?"

Meanwhile....

Getting Around the Energy Squeeze?

Iranian state media is giving big play to the signature of a $7.5 billion "peace pipeline" deal between Iran and Pakistan for delivery of natural gas to Islamabad by 2014.

Which is fair enough, but still does not quite cope with the issue of if Tehran can maintain both its exports and imports of energy supplies over the next four years.

Shutting Down the News...And Literature

We have an update on Iran's filtering of news sites. Meanwhile, Rah-e-Sabz reports that there is widespread filtering of Persian literary blogs and the philosophical magazine Rokhdaad.

Rumour of Day

Tahavole Sabz claims that the word is being sent out to Iran's parents: come out and greet President Ahmadinejad or your kids won't be enrolled in school.

Iran Document: Karroubi "In the End, the Wiser Ones Will Take Over Iran" (9 June)

Mehdi Karroubi's interview with Rooz Online, published 9 June and translated by Khordaad 88:

Mr Karroubi, you have said before that you expected after Imam Khomeini’s death you will become more isolated by some individuals , who are these individuals ? and Why?

There was difference of opinion and approach among the forces and factions [at that time] . In other words , some had different interpretations of Islam, state and the Islamic republic [than us]. Since these factions were more close to centers of power=;, their views and opinions were more likely to be implemented.

Which groups?

Political groups like Motalefeh Party, Association of Clergy, Association of Religious Teachers. We had differences of opinion that led to discussions and arguments between us. These differences revolved around issues such as , taxation, municipal land, and other issues that were important at the time. However, Imam Khomeini’s support for us or our ideas would set them back. They had also come to understand that Imam preferred our opinions over theirs despite the fact that he had respect for them and he would appoint some of their important members to the Guardian Council.



These differences led to formation of the Expediency Discernment Council . As Dr. Mehrpour mentioned [once], if the Guardian Council had adopted a more open policy toward various issues and would consider Imam Khomeini’s warning, the Expediency Council would not have been formed. But we knew after Imam’s death , those groups will increase their power and presence, and we will become more isolated. And this is what has happened. Using their power through the Special Clerical Court, the Guardian Council and individuals that I do not want to name isolated the Imam’s Path forces.

Are the individuals that you prefer not to name the same people that you have referred to previously and said: “They could not tolerate a party office or newspaper”, “They want [to take control of ] the government to satisfy their own interests", “They engaged in fraudulent activity after the death of Imam Khomeini"?  Who are these people?

They are the same people who run the country now. In the judiciary they are those who order newspapers and offices closed. They are in the Ministry of Intelligence....They are in Basij, IRGC [Islamic Revolution Guards Corps], and among the Friday Prayer Imams. I should also mention that the traditional conservative forces with whom we were friends before despite our many differences have also to various degrees supported these people. Unfortunately, now an entirely new group of people with Ahmadinejad on top and others in lower ranks are leading [the country].

[Previously] you talked about the boat of the state that does not have capacity for 70 million people. In this turbulent sea of politics, is there a chance that this boat will reach the shore safely?

It is obvious that a boat does not have much capacity to manoeuvre even in calm waters. The sea needs a giant ship. And when the sea turns stormy and turbulent , 70 million people should be present to safely guide the ship to the shore. Therefore I think the current situation will not last [for long] and we are eventually forced to return to reforms although we will have to pay the costs.

What do you think the most important issues of the country are?

Losing the trust of the nation, militarizing the society, and deviating from the ideals of the revolution [are the most important issues we face today]. We have reduced ourselves to such a low level that we treat the family of Imam Khomeini with such disrespect [a reference to the treatment of Ayatollah Khomeini's grandson, Seyed Hassan Khomeini, at the 4 June ceremony for his grandfather's death]. They dare tell Mr. Jamarani, who has been organizing ceremonies on this day for Imam for 20 years, to stop organizing the ceremony this year.

Do we have to witness changing the mood of the society to one of fear where tight security and control is imposed every day? Do we have to see forces armed with anti-riot shields march our streets every day? Nothing will work like this. The government should create security not constrain it. The way the authorities define "security’"seems very different [than what it should be]. Despite all, I believe this situation would not last; in the end the wiser ones will take over.

Everyone’s talking about the necessity to reexamine the Constitution. Where do you see the source of the problems in the Constitution? What should be done?

Every constitution has its own faults. I have said this many times. There is only one book without mistakes, and that’s the holy book, Quran. As Muslims we believe in that. It is possible that a non-Muslim becomes critical of Quran. [No book is perfect, and] it is for this very reason that Imam [Khomeini] allowed the possibility to reexamine the constitution. It is a common practice in the whole world to change the laws according to the most recent conditions and needs of the day. However, even if this constitution is acted upon [in our society], many of our problems would be resolved.

According to the existing constitution, the head of the judiciary is chosen by Supreme Leader. Does this process interfere with the independence of the judiciary branch? Do you not see any contradictions in this process?

At the time, those who created this process did the right thing. But right now we are degrading this law with our actions. Keep in mind that this process was not always like this, and later changed to become as such. Early on, five people constituted the leadership of the judiciary branch. Two of them were chosen by the Supreme Leader and three of them were chosen by a group of judges in a free and competitive election process. The problem right now is that the judiciary branch cannot act on its own and is taken over by the security officials.

What is the main demand of the Green Movement, and what can it be?

This movement that manifests itself through calm, nonviolent protests that takes the form of civil disobedience is created out of the insult and dissatisfaction that resulted from different elections.

Which elections?

The 7th and 8th parliamentary elections and the 9th and 10th Presidential elections. All the dissatisfactions piled up until it exploded after the 10th Presidential elections. This movement is originates from the hearts of people; it is a self-evolving movement. It is a movement that was created over the structure of force that the authorities created for people.

What are you after in this movement?

We are looking to see the full enactment of the Constitution: that we can have a free and sound election,and benefit from free political parties and newspapers; that students are free [to express what they want]. What we are looking for is that no one chooses the destiny of people for them. Accordingly, I believe that if even the current Constitution is enacted, despite the criticisms, many solutions would unfold. But unfortunately, some even don’t abide by this law. Those in power right now act despotically out of their own interests.

To achieve victory, how should the Green Movement move on from here? Wouldn’t the current process gradually degrade the movement? What must be done? What can be done?

Discontent and defiance in the nation will continue. Though people are more conservative in expressing their discontent, they are just waiting for the right moment to express themselves. This does not weaken the movement but the government. With regards to ways that the movement can proceed: first, people’s presence is the most important and critical thing for this movement or any other movement. Second, the movement cannot be after instant success; what comes easily goes just as easily.

The movement must be lively, it must reach out to people and strengthen its grass-root support. The gentlemen are presenting an untrue depiction of this movement to the public. They say this movement is against your religion and culture. They are publicizing this movement as a threat to national security and claim it will bring about a similar situation in Iran as is present in Iraq and Afghanistan. We must fight off these false publicized accusations while spreading our own messages to widest possible audience.

We are after security, peace, and calm for the country. We are loyal to this country. We are fighting dictatorship and fascism. We want to establish the rule of law. Thus evangelizing, organizing, and staying in touch with each other are important. The government is quite sensitive to these activities as it has confronted them in many occasions. This is a great testament to the effectiveness of these activities. So, despite what they might say, I don’t think the movement is diminishing,-; it is in fact growing.

What did Mehdi Karroubi think of the future in 1989 and how does that compare to the way events have been rolling out?

We thought the revolution would bring about mutual respect for every person and her/his ideas and rights. We wanted the revolution to bring about equality and respect for Islam. But that did not happen.

In those days, people were in with the government, they knew everything that was going on. That’s because we realized our legitimacy came from people’s approval. We wanted to be a role model and a leader in the world and tried hard to reach these goals. Of course some of the blame lies with us and some with others.

The fact of the matter is that in the beginning of the revolution, there were some violent struggles. Parts of the country stated independence and invaded central government’s military bases. Azarbayejan, Gonbad, Khozestan, and Kordestan were amongst those regions. The late Mr. Taleghani and Mr. Foroohar traveled to these regions to speak to the people and try to resolve the conflicts. After that, assassinations of the country’s intellectuals and leaders started: Martyrs Motahari, Beheshti, Ghazi, Tabatabaie, Mofateh, and many others.

In those day, secret shared homes were created by the armed militants and violent confrontations started taking shape. The war against Iraq started as these conflicts were still ongoing. When the presidential headquarters and political party headquarters of a country are blown up by internal anti government militants, it is obvious that the country is headed towards radicalism. In any case, they didn’t make it possible to achieve the goals that we had; we missed the chance. In those years, after the bombings, we had the worst situation in the Parliament. Government officials were under pressure by the war, internal conflicts and assassinations, and the country’s management…. These were difficult times. Those who created the internal conflicts did a great injustice to this country.

On the Israel-Palestine issue: If two countries reach an agreement,  what would be your position?

We might have an ideal position in our mind, but we should realize that Palestine belongs to Palestinians, so if they reached an agreement that they find pleasing, we should congratulate them.

Iran is facing detrimental quandaries in its foreign policy, if you were in charge what policy would you adopt regarding the following issues: the US?

I believe that,with the exception of Israel, we should have relationship with all other countries. Despite everything that has happened between Iran and United States, I think we should reestablish the relations without neglecting Iran’s dignity and independence. Unfortunately Iran-US relations have become a domestic political discussion in Iran. When one side agrees to normalizing relations , another side opposes and vice versa . It has become an internal quarrel between different streams.

Relations with China and Russia?

We have normal relations with both countries now, and I agree that we should. I travelled to both countries when I was head of the parliament numerous times in order to expand our political and economical relations. Russia is our neighbour, therefore we should maintain our relations. I should mention though that states only seek their own interests in relations with other states. Having relations with another country should be based on benefits [that we seek].

Nuclear issue?

We should become more transparent We should negotiate, we should defend our rights, but we should also make [our intention and conduct] more transparent.

The human rights file?

The human rights are those rights that belong to all people. These rights are undermined today in many countries. For example, in Palestine, these rights are completely ignored by the Israelis. In our country too, on some issues these rights are undermined. We must not abuse human rights like a political tool.

What I believe is that we cannot take human right issues very seriously for one country, and then ignore them completely for another one. One obvious example of the latter is the human rights issue in the conflict between Israel and Palestine.

If we divide the history of Islamic Republic into different periods, from Mr. Karroubi’s perspective, which period would be closest to the ideals of the Islamic Revolution and which period was the furthest from them?

Naturally every revolution is closest to its ideals at the very early state. I have said this many times. In every revolution, radical moves and abrupt reactions break out due to inexperience and immaturity. I can say this confidently: most of those who act radically now are those who acted in a radical way back then. The first decade was one of ideals. We gradually entered a different atmosphere that concluded in what we see right now. I believe the worst conditions are what we have right now.

And last question: What is your greatest wish today?

I wish for governance of people, denial of outsiders’ interference, and insiders’ despotism. I wish for health and prosperity of this nation, for the greatness of Iran, development of our country. I wish for rise of pride for Islam and enactment of its rules. I don’t believe in imposing our perspectives; I don’t mean interfering with private lives of people. What I mean by wishing enactment of rules is enactment of ethics in the society, enactment of justice, and keeping the dignity and respect of people.

Iran Document: Mousavi "Imam Khomeini, Revolution, and the Green Movement" (2 June)

Khordaad 88's translation of an interview with Mir Hossein Mousavi on the website linked to him, Kalemeh:

Kalemeh: We are approaching the anniversary of the death of Imam Khomeini [on, 4 June].This year the ceremonies seem different from previous years. On one side, old opponents of Imam inside and outside the country try to desecrate his image and they are supported by foreign media. On the other side, there are those in State TV and amongst the strong advocates of imprisonment who promote an image of the Imam that advocated oppression. What is your opinion on the goals that these groups seek? And what may this end with?

MOUSAVI: If the unintended collaboration of the State TV and opponents of Imam in THE desecration of his image is allowed to continue and is not met with a response, it would end with nothing but hatred towards our past.

The Latest from Iran (2 June): Where’s My Crowd?

These new images are introduced by constant meddling in the original perception of Imam and the Revolution. Those who have directly experienced those years with Imam perceive an image of him that has no proximity to what is being promoted right now.



The Revolution won its victory with the messages of independence, freedom, and the Islamic Republic. It was these messages that gained the support of people. People gave Imam a unique welcome in the days of revolution in 1978. In Imam’s funeral, people came out in numbers four times greater. I don’t think such crowds came out to just see and get some time off.

The clips from those days clearly show the waves of emotions and opinions that people had toward Imam. Let us remember that people showed that much emotion after enduring the hardships of the war, and the early days of the revolution. If Imam’s image was even slightly close to what the State TV claims it was, then we would not have had so many people pouring the streets on his funeral, or at least we would have witnessed people being more indifferent. I think there is a lot of light to be shed on this distorted image of Imam promoted by his opponents outside, and the authorities inside who are now turning into guards that constrain freedom.

Kalemeh: There are expensive programs being organized for anniversary of Imam’s funeral. Why do you think such a course of action is taken?

MOUSAVI: Please pay attention to the fact that the system still gets a significant amount of its legitimacy from Imam and the collective memory of people from that great character. In the current context, those currently in power who have violently constrained the legitimate freedom of others and filled the prisons, and those who promote superstition and advocate a stone-age Islam, need to excessively spend this great social asset.

Instead, when one brings forth this [correct] image [of Khomeini], one is also highlighting the differences between those times and now which questions the corrupt and despotic nature of policy approaches today. A right look back at the early years of the Revolution shows how far we have deviated from those goals and values that we first set.

Note that saying pay attention to those years does not mean to return to those days. The goal is to remember the roots and the directions that we set for the revolution: justice, freedom, and spirituality.

We want to use the Islamic Revolution to launch [our nation] to [a bright] future. We don’t want to create a chaotic emotional environment and lose our direction to that future. We must constantly remind our younger generations that what is happening today is different than what happened during the time of Imam.

I am confident that if...the youth of today were there yesterday, they would be amongst the martyrs like Martyr Bakeri, Bagheri, or Hemmat. Similarly, if the youth of that time were here today, they would be the leaders of the Green Movement of Hope and would probably be in prisons, held captive for their national and religious beliefs.

Kalemeh: You talked of the early years and the initial goals of the revolution. But how can one talk of those years in an environment of today that is bombarded with propaganda?

MOUSAVI: There are countless papers and books written, and that continue to be written on the Islamic Revolution in Iran for obvious reasons: the Revolution’s great impact on the region and throughout the world. After the rRvolution, not only Iran started to look very different, but also the whole region started to change.

However, what we need today in the back and forth around the media and propaganda is promotion of a clear and visible image of that time and the Imam. As I said, there is a immature attempt to highlight ostensible similarities between now and Imam’s time, and this must be stopped. For instance, you can discuss the theoretical perspective of Imam on parliament. You can break down his ideas to what was in religious scholarship and what was acceptable to people and to recognition of Parliament, whether from the religious perspective or acceptability of it lays on the people. Parliament is composed of representatives of people, and these representatives come out of the people themselves.  Accordingly, the parliament is “at the forefront of the affairs”.

But more important and more effective is to recount memories that demonstrate the means of political action at the beginning of the revolution. For example,I was talking to Mr [Mehdi] Karroubi about election process during Imam’s era. He recited a memory that helps us get a more clear understanding of Imam Khomeini’s personality and the values that were dominant in society at the time.

In the third Parliamentary election two candidates,  a poor, hardworking intellectual teacher and  a person with ties to Imam Khomeini’s family , were running in the region of Khomein. Although a person close to Imam Khomeini was supporting the second candidate, people chose the first one. The person who was a relative of Imam sent a letter to him questioning the results. Imam replied laughing ,  “What is a better indication of a fair election than that a person related to me, who also enjoys the support of yourself , runs for election but people choose a simple teacher who does not have such supporters?"

Isn't this one of the beauties of election that we should be grateful for? Compare this with the case that occured during the 6th parliamentary election in Tehran [region] when 700 ballots were cancelled to replace  an intellectual [Alireza Rajaie] who enjoyed no [state] support with an individual [Gholam Ali Haddad Adel,  father-in-law of the Supreme Leader’s son Mojtaba Khamenei] with relations [to high establishment officials]. Or the implementation of “approbation supervision”, that did not exist during Imam’s time, which is in reality a mean of dividing the election in two stages. If you pay attention carefully, you will see how this term that has no root in the Constitution or  public wisdom has been [mis]used to disqualify a large number of valuable and caring individuals. The result has been to undermine the status and role of the parliament.

I ask all the conservative members of the Parliament, who have not stained their faith with tyranny: doesn’t thinking about all these humiliations directed toward Parliament make you feel worried and empty?  Is the current situation you are in fitting to the meaning of [Imam Khomeini's] sentence “The Parliament leads all affairs”? [3] You have been incapable of scrutinizing even a small portion of the government's financial irregularities and of receiving a proper response. What answer would you give God and his servants whom you represent? Does the current situation in the Parliament have any resemblance to parliaments during the time of Imam Khomeini?...

Some people in this country are destroying everything including Imam’s image and the first 10 years of revolution.  This was a project that was started in the 10th presidential election [of 2009]. As I said, a proper introduction of Imam Khomeini and a fair introduction of the Revolution will expose and scathe the politics of oppression and superstition.

Kalemeh: You are known as the prime minister of Imam Khomeni. In your speeches, statements, and interviews you always speak about the bright era in the first decade of the revolution and Imam’s path. In general and in the political sphere of Iran , have different dimensions of Imam’s personality been exaggerated?

MOUSAVI: Dr. Shariati once said, “ Peak of the Damavand [highest mountain in Iran] does not need a proof that it is the tallest.”Imam was an extraordinary person. He brought an irreversible change in our history and ended the monarchy , a system that prided itself in humiliation of peasants in face of their kings. Some images from the epoch of Shah could mislead our youth. But [they ] should be reminded that one of the posters published repeatedly in newspapers of the time showed a poor peasant kissing Shah’s shoes.

In response to your question, I should reiterate that Imam was an extraordinary man. But he did not perceive himself as such. He despised praise and eulogy. Once he banned national TV from showing his picture and said ,“ Whenever I open TV, I see myself. It make me want to puke.” He had the same ban [on his picture] for newspapers for a period.

People who have experienced that era remember that, when the top elected member of Parliament from Tehran praised him,  he ferociously interrupted him....A similar case occurred with the head of the Expediency Council, who was also Imam Khomeini’s student. When he lauded Imam Khomeini in public, Imam rejected his words publicly.

It is not strange if we see him as a symbol of a new system that is progressive, seeks freedom, and demands justice. Without his charisma and his relationship with people, our nation would not have resisted for eight years of war [with Iraq]. Without our nation’s belief in him, we would not have survived numerous terrorist attacks during that era.

Kaleme: Some members of Green Movement raise a question as why you repeatedly speak about Imam Khomeini or use his picture?

MOUSAVI: I referred to the necessity of introducing Imam Khomeini to the youth. But I should also discuss another point, which I have no doubt  all supporters of Green Movement agree on , and that is integrity.

I cannot pretend against my attachment to and admiration for Imam Khomeini and Revolution. Since the formation of Green Path of Hope, I clearly introduced myself as a companion of the Green Movement so I can discuss my beliefs transparently. A characteristic of this movement is transparent and honest discussion of thoughts and ideas. Exchange of ideas does not harm us.

We should remember that one of the best posters regarding the movement was the one that read, “Lying is disallowed.”. What kind of expectation requires me to ignore a 10-year period full of experiences and various events? Not only me but a large number of our people have thousands of memories from Imam Khomeini. They have been influenced by that era and are not willing to keep quiet in the face of injustice and distortion toward Imam’s character. Is it correct to ignore this great political capital? Is not this what the prison guards want us to do?

Kalemeh: You introduced yourself as a member of the Green Movement, and talked about your devotion, and love for the Imam and the revolution. You talked about how it is necessary to protect the spiritual asset that is the experiences during the Imam era. But haven’t these talks stopped you from critically viewing those times? Don’t you think that there are problems with those times as well?

MOUSAVI: I have heard this issue before, especially after the speech of Tehran’s Attorney General [Abbas Jafari Dowlatabadi]. There is also a letter published on one of these websites addressing this very issue. As a Shiite Muslim, one of our beliefs is that after the 14 innocent ones, all the rest of God’s people are not innocent and the commit sins, unless God keeps the innocent. The same reasoning applies to Imam’s era.

However, I don’t see it necessary to criticize when internal and external enemies have aimed for the Imam’s image and that era. Obviously, in the context of today, even a slight allusion to a problem would be greatly magnified just like the plot of the tearing of the picture of Imam, that was abused by enemies outside and inside the country.

Today, the enemies of the Green Movement are looking everywhere for a prey or an excuse to destroy that bond that connects us together. Millions in our country like and appreciate Imam, and I am one of them. Recognition of this affinity [to Imam] and the freedom that brings about is a great asset that we cannot make a mistake about, especially in the current conditions. Let me repeat again, we do not expect a companion [of the movement] to lie, no matter how small a member that person is.