Khatami's speech in Hamadan
Tehran Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran
First Program Network in Persian 1435 GMT 27 July 1999
[Address by Iranian President Mohammad Khatami in Hamedan on 27 July
-- live]
[FBIS Translated Text]
I have a few brotherly pleas. Since I have a few points which I want
to make in your presence to the noble people of Iran, I ask you to show
your kindness and magnanimity in the form of your silence, so that I can
express my points. In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate.
[Koranic verses in Arabic] I have asked you to permit me to speak. Your
kindness will be in the form of your silence. Otherwise, the kindness and
magnanimity of you men and women is as clear as daylight, and the more
you express your feelings, the more you embarrass me. I beseech you to
allow me with your silence to talk to you for a few minutes. You can now
pray. [the crowd shouts Koranic verses in Arabic]
When one travels in history with the vehicle of ideology and creditability,
when one arrives in Hamedan from Hegmataneh, one passes through a great
galaxy of knowledge, religion, mysticism, culture, and arts. Hamedan is
the cradle of civilization and Islam. Hamedan is a great museum of the
culture and civility of the noble people of Iran, both before and after
Islam. Hamedan is a shining star of the ethics, honour, and identity of
the great nation of Iran.
From Hegmataneh to the Book of Treasures [a book]; from the stone lion
[a statue] and other relics, to the Jame Mosque and the Alavian dome; from
the many tombs of the descendants of great imams who are lying in various
corners of this land; from the tomb of the doyen of Muslim philosophers,
Avicenna, and the tomb of Baba Taher [a poet] to the tomb of the great
scholar, Ayatollah Molla Hoseyn Qoli Hamedani; from the great theologian
Ayatollah Akhund Hamedani to Sheykh Mohammad Bahari, the outstanding pupil
of Molla Hoseyn Qoli Hamedani; from the great martyrs Mofatteh and Qoddusi
to the great martyred commanders and generals, including those great martyrs
of [Operation] Ambuscade, the anniversary of which is today; The tens of
thousands of martyrs and war-disabled and freed PoWs, who are documented
proof of the pride of our country, including 2,677 martyrs, 393 freed PoWs,
and 5,128 war-disabled from Hamedan. Hamedan, this centre of Islamism
[Eslam-khahi], seeking independence, seeking freedom, and one of the shining
centres of the Islamic revolution.
And today too, our hearts and souls are filled with the glorious memory
of the presence of the great second martyr of the alter [killed while performing
Friday prayers in the early days of the revolution], Ayatollah Madani,
both before and after the revolution. We remember the decisive role he
played alongside the Islam-seeking and Iran-loving women and men.
Greetings to you, greetings to the noble people of Hamedan, greetings
to the martyrs, greetings to the families of the martyrs, greetings to
the freemen [former POWs] [crowd cheers], greetings to the war-disabled,
greetings to the noble women and men of Hamedan, and greetings to the brave
and strong young generation [crowd cheers], this honourable and proud sector.
[Crowd chants in support: Greetings to Khatami!] Please, let me continue,
thank you; it was agreed that you would show your kindness towards me
with silence.
These people with such a glorious past and with such noble capability
are rightly the representatives of the honourable nation of Iran. In the
presence of you women and men and in the presence of you the noble people
of Hamedan, as the honourable and worthy representative of the nation of
Iran, allow me to speak to the entire Iranian nation, to speak to the people
of Iran about the great revolution of the people of Iran.
My dear ones, our revolution was the revolution of word as opposed to
weapon. It was the revolution of kindness as opposed to violence. It was
the revolution of freedom [crowed cheers] Please, if you continue this
[cheering] I would not be able to speak. I asked you to show your kindness
with silence. It was the revolution of freedom, it was the revolution of
law, and it was the revolution of smile. Yes, our revolution was the revolution
of smile [crowed continues cheering] Well, you do not let me [to speak].
I begged you to allow me to speak for a few minutes. I appreciate your
sentiments. Yes, the revolution of the nation of Iran was the revolution
of kindness and the revolution of smile. The smile of ridicule to oppressors
and bullies and the smile of kindness to each other, to all those who are
deprived and to all the nations of the world. Those who are sounding the
drums of violence are alien to the kind and gentle spirit of this noble
nation.
Hail to the compassionate people of Iran! Hail to the Islamic revolution
of the people of Iran! Our revolution sought independence, freedom, and
an Islamic republic. Independence has always been sought, particularly
in the past 200 years, by all reformers, including the great son of Hamedan,
Seyyed Jamalodin Assadabadi [Islamic reformer of 19th century], who re-emerged
in our Islamic revolution.
Our revolution sought freedom. Freedom is the great objective of the
prophets of God. Didn't they have a mission to break the chains of internal
and external bondage from the hand and feet of God's people? Has not freedom
been the noble aspiration of all human beings throughout history? Is it
not correct that the greatest sacrifices were made for freedom? Our revolution
was a revolution for independence, a revolution for freedom. It was a revolution
for an Islamic republic. It was a revolution of the people. It was a revolution
to place the determination of people's destiny in their own hands. It was
a revolution to establish government from among the people and to make
government responsible towards the people. It was a revolution for the
presence [of the people], a revolution for their participation, a revolution
for the sovereignty of the republic, and a revolution to allow the people
to determine their own destiny. And all these came within the context of
lofty Islamic values which make people independent, free, and honourable.
Islamic democracy, consolidation and strengthening of independence,
and ensuring freedom, coupled with spirituality, is the message and the
fruit of the Islamic revolution which has been realized with the cost of
the blood of martyrs. The charter of the Islamic republic is the constitution.
This nation with its great revolution and with its great aspirations
also faced great problems in the past 20 years. Problems, conspiracies,
and hostilities against this nation have been as great as the nation itself
and its revolution.
Irrespective of the economic difficulties, our nation has gone through
many other pains during these years. The difficulties have been encountered
in various fields -- because the peoples energy was directed towards safeguarding
the foundation of the system and the Islamic republic - the difficulties
which especially the middle class and people on low income suffered for
the sake of good and lasting construction plans, and the difficulties the
nation has faced, especially in the past two years, because of the fall
in the price of oil and the harsh drought of 1376 [year beginning 21st
March 1997] and 1378 [beginning 21st March 1999]. This year we are in the
middle of a drought, although with the grace of God the recent rainfall
has to some extent compensated for the damage caused by the drought. However,
we are still facing problems. And in this situation it was God's will that
there should be a flood in some parts of the country, including in Mazandaran,
and that a large number of our dear compatriots lose their lives, get injured,
and cause great damage.
Speaking here as the president and on your behalf, I express condolences
to those honourable people who have suffered in Mazandaran Province, particularly
those who have lost relatives in the flood. We pray that we will be able
to solve their difficulties and thus help heal their broken hearts.
In the past 20 years there have been various social and economic problems
but there have also been many other difficulties. There was eight years
of imposed war and the imposition of violence on our people only because
they wanted their independence and freedom.
For the sake of its devotion to Islam, independence and freedom, our
nation has faced bitter waves of terrorism in the past 20 years. There
have also been the sanctions, the economic pressures, and worst of all
the destructive blizzard in the world public opinion against this honourable
and great nation -- an attempt to give a bad name to the system and our
people. These problems have existed in the [past] 20 years. In the past
two years the same problem and the same sedition against the people has
continued in a new form and with a particular strength.
Oh, brave and honourable men and women of Iran, my dear young people,
2nd Khordad [23rd May 1997 presidential elections] was a great event in
the history of the Iranian nation. Our great leader referred to this event
as an epic. The 2nd Khordad has had many achievements. I have never spoken,
or have spoken sparingly, about 2nd Khordad. But today I want to speak
about 2nd Khordad and about the problems which our honourable nation has
faced since then. The 2nd Khordad event had many great achievements and
incidents. Here, I am going to speak about two great consequences of 2nd
Khordad, and the pressures which have been exerted on the honourable people
of Iran as the result - and we continue to be the target of these pressures
and problems.
First, the presence of people in the 2nd Khordad elections was unprecedented.
It was unique in the history of the revolution, both in terms of quality
and quantity. It was important particularly because a great section of
the social elite and learned people who were unenthusiastic until then
came on to the scene. The presence of our honourable and intelligent women
was particularly significant in the 2nd Khordad elections. The tremendous
presence of young people -- the intelligent and enthusiastic young people
-- [public uproar] turned 2nd Khordad into a remarkable event. The 2nd
Khordad event has had many consequences, but one of its most important
achievements was to heal the separation between the two generations; the
generation of the revolution and the generation of the post-revolution.
Separation between generations is a most severe disease that all revolutions
suffer from. The enemy placed much hope in this separation. They were hoping
to use the discontent and the enthusiasm of the generation which had grown
up after the revolution to hurt the system and to bring crisis to this
society.
The events of 2nd Khordad turned separation into union. Women and men,
young and old, intellectual and worker, all devoted to their revolution
and system, took part in determining their destiny. This was the first
consequence.
The second great achievement of 2nd Khordad was in the international
domain. Detente was the policy that was chosen and announced. But detente
did not mean the abandonment of our national principles and interests.
Detente was pursued precisely within the context of the three principles
of wisdom, honour, and expediency. Then, suddenly, the whole situation
in the world changed in favour of the Islamic Republic. Prior to that our
security was being threatened. The system of the Islamic Republic was under
many threats. The wise policy of detente not only removed the threats,
it turned these threats into security for the country and the nation.
Without abandoning our principles or without sacrificing our national
interests, but through this new policy, we brought credit for the Islamic
Republic in the world, and this was unique and could be only compared to
the situation that the nation and the revolution had at the very first
moments of the revolution, in the first years of the revolution.
We have not only created a new climate and credit for the honourable
people of Iran through the use of a policy of detente and cooperation;
the Islamic Republic of Iran has also taken the initiative on the international
scene -- through the language of you people and through new slogans and
proposals for new projects. The world now understands that the Islamic
Republic does not only seek independence, freedom and honour for its own
people but that it seeks peace on the basis of justice for all humanity.
In this new international context and within this new climate, the Islamic
Republic has not been and will never be isolated. Furthermore, those
powers which tried to isolate you people and your great system have now
fallen into a reactive position.
These two consequences were no minor matters. It was obvious that the
enemies of this revolution, the enemies of this people, the enemies of
the honour and progress of this country, would not bear to see this and
that they would react. They entered into new plots against you. What has
been happening in the past two years -- and particularly what has happened
in Tehran recently -- is the continuation of the same problems and a link
in the chain of conspiracies of the past 20 years against the system of
the Islamic Republic and against the honourable people of Iran. But this
time it had a new form and intensity.
You see that following the Mersad affair [joint operation by Iraq and
Mojahedin-e Khalq to capture parts of western Iran shortly before the end
of the Iran-Iraq war in 1988], when the bloodthirsty enemies of this nation
lost all hope of being able to exert pressure on this country -- or as
they liked to put it, when they left the military phase and entered the
political phase -- they once again revived the process of terror [preceding
word in English] in the last two years or so in a bid to demonstrate their
anger with this nation and the achievements of 2nd Khordad. In the course
of the last two years they have been perpetrating bomb explosions and other
acts of terror and sabotage in order to create instability in our country.
The last act of terror by them was the assassination of the valiant son
of Islam and Iran, the great national and Islamic hero, martyr Gen Sayyad-Shirazi
[former ground force commander]. In the course of the last two years they
have once again resorted to the methods of terror, sabotage, and explosion.
Moreover, on the world arena, they have made hasty manoeuvres to mar
the international image of the Islamic Republic of Iran. They have tried
to give the impression that instability and insecurity prevails in Iran
so as to prevent other countries from improving ties with us or transferring
their capital or technology to our country. They made a great deal of efforts
to revive the process of terror, undermine the status of the Islamic Republic
of Iran, and bring about and intensify the trend of violence inside the
country so as to portray the political system as unstable, paint a savage
picture of the revolution for all the beloved young people who have opened
their arms to the revolution, and introduce the Islamic revolution to the
people of the world as an ugly and violent phenomenon.
Violence in any form and shape is abhorrent and deplorable, as our eminent
leader also stated in his recent remarks. However, I want to make a point
in brief here and I hope to be able to elaborate further on it in another
time and place. The supporters of violence are committing a mistake, no
matter what pretext they use. In fact, their guilt is made worse if they
use violence under the sacred pretexts in which people have a religious
faith, or under the cover of the distinguished personalities of the system
and revolution. [Crowd applaud and whistle] Please allow me to go on. Please
allow me.
However, more than blaming the supporters of violence -- among whom
there certainly are some caring individuals who want to serve the country
but are in fact committing an error -- one must blame those who have tried
to theorize [preceding word in English] violence in this period. In other
words, those who have resorted to philosophical sophistry and the use of
religious wallpaper and facade in a bid to portray violence in society
as a revolutionary duty and provide philosophical and religious justifications
for it. In any case, creating a wave of terror, making international efforts
to portray society as insecure and unstable, and spreading the trend of
violence inside the country were some of the problems that began to surface
in this country in a more extensive manner after the 2nd of Khordad.
[The enemies' campaign has included] Efforts to pit the seminary and university
against each other -- that is to say two institutions whose unity was emphasized
so much by his eminence the Imam [Khomeyni] and is being stressed so strongly
today by our eminent leader -- and efforts to say that the university is
against the seminary, the revolution, and Islam;
Efforts to pit religion against freedom and create the illusion that
there is an inherent contradiction between the revolution and development.
Furthermore, very recently we witnessed efforts to insinuate that security
and freedom do not mix well, and that to have security one must suppress
freedom. A great deal has been done to spread this notion among this nation,
even though our vigilant people will never be deceived by such insinuations.
Most importantly of all...[interrupted by crowd's whistling]. Most important
of all, we must refer to efforts inside and outside the country to create
the illusion that there are disputes between the top echelon leaders of
the country. No such dispute has ever existed. I want to declare here that
the president and the government enjoy full and complete harmony with the
eminent leader and carry out his orders. [Crowd chant God is Great, Khamene'i
is the leader. Some whistling can also be heard in the background]
On the other hand, the government and the president are always enjoying
the generous support of the leader of the revolution. Let me give you an
example. When that sinister and dangerous current was uncovered within
the Information Ministry and the president made a firm decision to confront
it, he received the greatest degree of support and blessing from the eminent
leader who said that the case had to be investigated right to the end.
Without that support it would not have been possible to deal with this
calamitous problem.
Today, once again I stress that dealing with that event [the recent
serial assassination of writers and intellectuals] and continuing investigations
into it are one of our most important priorities at present. With God's
assistance, the leader's approval, and the support of you people, we will
not rest until we have found the last remaining roots of that plot and
have destroyed the last traces and remnants of them. Fortunately, the plot
was uncovered by the noble, proud, and glorious Ministry of Information,
and investigations into the affair are continuing with the cooperation
of the judiciary, and with divine assistance they will continue.
I was aware that a hefty price would have to be paid for the task of
uncovering and confronting this current and destroying its root causes.
I have been, and still am, anticipating attempts to create crises. However,
I have made a promise to my God -- and I hereby make a promise to you as
well -- that we will, with God's assistance, continue our efforts until
the root cause of that corrupt trend has been identified and repelled.
I want to assure you that the calamity that at one stage threatened the
Islamic republic was big enough to justify the hefty price that has had
to be paid. [Crowd whistle and chant indistinct slogans in support] Please
allow me. Please allow me. As your guest I made one request to you. I asked
you to help me with your silence. You are noble and hospitable hosts. Please
allow me to go on and end my remarks in a few minutes' time.
The recent incidents were a link in the plots and problems which have
been created for this nation and this country, particularly after the 2nd
Khordad. The attack on the university dormitory was a crime, as interpreted
by the leader [Khamene'i], which pained everyone -- the leader, the people
and the religious scholars. Why did they attack the university? Why did
they beat up the students? Why did they vent their hatred against the university
this way? Because the students and academics are dynamic and active members
of society and the greatest supporters of the progress and development
plans in the country. Expressing hatred and suppressing and assaulting
the university are the symbol and key to the crushing of Iran's progressive
movement.
Of course, as you know, immediately after the incident a committee was
set up with the cooperation of various sectors -- the government, the Interior
Ministry, the Ministry of Information, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps,
the Judiciary, and other sectors -- which is following up the matter seriously.
I hope that we will be able to find out the reasons behind it and bring
it to the attention of our noble people soon. Without doubt the perpetrators
and the guilty parties, in whatever guise or position, will be dealt with.
However, I make one point to you. The fact that this event took place
-- and I pray that it will be laid open -- should not be a reason to insult
or weaken our great and selfless Law Enforcement Force, which is looking
after the security, law, and order of our country -- on the borders, in
the cities, in the villages, and on roads. The university incident took
place and the [appointed] committee will investigate it.
Then there was the riot and disturbance in Tehran. It was an ugly and
offensive incident which marred the image of our dear, patient, and rational
people. What happened in Tehran damaged our national security. It was an
effort to cause unrest among the honourable people and to destroy public
and private property. Furthermore, it was an insult to the system and its
values as well as the eminent leader. What happened was not a simple incident.
It was an effort to go beyond the boundaries. It was an effort to express
vengeance towards the system. It had nothing to do with the honourable
nation or the university and its students. It was a blind act, a riot,
a disturbance, a revolt, an act against [national] security with deviant
slogans. I think it was a scenario to distort fundamental slogans, particularly
those which have been discussed in the new term of presidency; to provoke
the sentiments of the religious, supportive, and patriotic people who cannot
bear attacks on the [religious] values, the leadership, or their sacred
beliefs; and to provoke the nation into violence. In reality, not only
the riot that took place was a disruptive act against the country's calm
and security, it was also the declaration of war against the president
and his slogans. This was an attempt to give the impression that security
and freedom cannot be guaranteed without force and oppression. With divine
assistance, this conspiracy was brought to an end.
At this juncture, I would like to bring a few points to the attention
of you the noble people of Hamedan first, and then to the noble of people
of all Iran.
First of all, in the course of these events it was made clear - even
though it was quite clear to us beforehand as well - that security is a
very serious issue for all of us. National security cannot be toyed around
with lightly and nonchalantly. We must consider security as the foundation
stone for development, progress, construction, freedom, and independence.
We must take security very seriously and use all our strength to disappoint
and frustrate anyone who seeks to disrupt it.
Of course, as I said in my interview, we do not support violence. Those
who resort to violence and create unrest are against this government and
nation. I also said that we would do our best not to answer violence with
violence. Praise be to God's blessings, these events gave the Islamic
government and nation a causes for great pride and glory.
My dear ones, today in order to put down riots and in order to put out
the flames of violent disturbances, others use tanks, armoured cars, and
heavy weapons. There is no more source of pride for the nation, there is
no other source of pride for the Supreme National Security Council [SNSC],
no other source of pride for our military and law enforcement forces, and
no other source of pride for the government of the Islamic Republic of
Iran than the fact that in a city with a sensitive population of 10 million,
such as Tehran, an all-encompassing riot dies down without one shot being
fired by the Law Enforcement Force and the guardians of law and order.
This is the level of strength of the Iranian nation and government. It
is right to give vocal support to this strength. [Crowd chants in support].
We, our forces, did not use firearms to tackle this riot. The disturbance
was put down calmly and without resorting to firearms.
Of course...[Khatami interrupted by crowd chanting: Khatami, Khatami,
we will support you!] Thank you, that's enough. Of course -- please, allow
me to go on, thank you, that's enough, it's [shouting slogans] finished
now -- we had a shot being fired [during the demonstrations], and that
was suspicious. This occurred a night after the incident at the Tehran
University dormitory [presumably on night of Friday 9th to Saturday 10th
July]. A shot was fired towards the dormitory, and a dear soldier, a serving
officer who was in the dormitory that night was killed, martyred. And
the same person who fired the shot turned his firearm towards the Law Enforcement
Force and fired on them, wounding a number of the dear members of our Law
Enforcement Force. In other words, this incident had a very shady and conspiratorial
side to it, with the intention of renewing violence and confrontation.
With God's blessings, all our forces are pursuing the matter to uncover
that suspicious person. And I believe many other suspicious incidents will
become clear once he is caught. We shall try our utmost, and for your part,
pray that we achieve our goal and that the investigation being carried
out by the forces which are at your service bear fruit.
Second, I praise the valuable efforts of the honourable Information
Ministry, which alongside our military and law enforcement forces, carried
out worthy efforts to restore order.
My dear ones, the number of all those arrested in this huge incident
was fewer than 1,200. Your hard-working children in the Information Ministry,
working day and night, succeeded in releasing some 1,000 of them. And only
10 per cent of them were students [as heard; presumably 10 per cent of
the remaining 200 in custody]. In the follow up investigation, the majority
of these students were also released. And today, those remaining in custody
are being interrogated.
I have been insisting that, during the interrogation, utmost care must
be taken so that no one goes beyond the law. There must be no injustice
or the violation of the rights of even the accused. The principles of the
law and lawful methods, as well as Islamic and humanitarian principles,
must be adhered to concerning those individuals. And our pious and learned
Information Minister [Qorbanali Dorri-Najafabadi] is dutybound to ensure
that he is in control so that, God forbid, unnecessary methods are not
used during the interrogation.
It was our leader's emphasis -- he told me himself and I passed the
message on -- that we are not going to accept the slightest infringement
of the rights of anyone. Of course, we are not going to accept the slightest
infringement of our system either.
Fortunately, the honourable Judiciary has also announced that the courts,
which will be set up, will closely adhere to judicial regulations and will
observe Islamic and humanitarian standards and the rights of the accused.
We praise the Judiciary and call on it here and now, that by right, one
should deal with those who riot and disturb security with decisiveness.
The country's security is not a joking matter. However, we also recommend
that they do not forget Islamic mercy and compassion, because the great
asset of our Islam is the struggle against violence, not resorting to violence,
and also practising Islamic mercy and compassion. I am certain that, if
it were necessary and expedient, the esteemed leader [Khamene'i] himself
would practice the same.
My third point is about the enthusiastic presence of the people on the
scene. These people are great people; people who put up with the war for
eight years, put up with economic problems. And today, too, their strong
shoulders bear the heavy burden of inflation and economic shortages. Of
course, this nation knows that its government also faces the same problems.
But the problems are real. These people, with all their problems, with
all their unfulfilled needs and wishes, when the system itself is threatened,
they stand ready to sacrifice themselves for it. They have, time and time
again, demonstrated their devotion for the system and the revolution --
in the 22nd Bahman [11th February revolution anniversary] rallies, the
[International] Jerusalem [Day] rallies, and the glorious 23rd Tir [14th
July 1999] rallies.
It was these noble people, these men and women, who came on the scene
when they saw that their system was threatened, that their security was
threatened, that values were insulted, that their leader was insulted.
They came on the scene with all their being. Hail the people and hail the
glorious and eternal presence of the people on the scene. [Crowd chants
what sounds like: Hail the leader]
The presence of the people always has a clear message. That is: We are
devoted to this system and this revolution, to the glory of this country,
the greatness of this nation, and whenever we feel that there is a threat
we shall be on the scene. All the people's rallies bear this same message.
That rally [on 14th July], in addition to defending values, in addition
to defending the system, had another message. It was: We support national
unity and oppose chaos and violence. Our nation wants an Islamic state,
a great leadership, the progress of the country, national unity, and the
preservation and greatness of this revolution and system. It demonstrated
that in the glorious 23rd Tir rallies. However, I ask you please, let
no one expropriate the glorious presence of the people and the national
and international interests of the nation for his own benefit. The nation--[Crowd
cheers] Of course, the nation, apart from -- please let me continue --
apart from the fact that the nation wants the system itself and the strength
of the system and the revolution, the nation has a number of demands. It
has votes and viewpoints on many issues. However, the votes and the viewpoints
of the nation for the policies, programmes, and the direction that society
should take will become clear in the elections that this nation undertakes,
as was the case in the presidential election and the recent local council
election.
The nation has outlined the direction of the revolution with its choice;
that is, it voted to those slogans and programmes that were presented
to it, those programmes that were presented and approved by the nation.
And I, based upon the confirmation of the vote of this nation by the
leadership [Khamene'i], and the oath I took before the Islamic Consultative
Majlis, I will today strongly uphold all those slogans and programmes that
I presented -- and which the vast majority of you voted for -- as a divine
duty and as an affirmation of the pledge that I made to you, great and
noble nation. [Crowd cheers]
Yes, the noble nation of Iran, in their extensive elections, chose the
directions of society as well as its policies and programmes. It is for
this reason that we must continue to try to strengthen the elective power
of the people and to make sure that the election climate of the people
is more free. We must try in future elections -- in the [February 2000]
Majles elections -- to let this nation once again choose the management
way and style of administration of the country, as well as the direction
of the system.
I have three pieces of advice to three groups. First, to ourselves:
I tell the election organizers and supervisors that we should try our utmost
so that in these elections, the first role is played by the people choosing
their representatives. There should be a climate in which the people can
choose in freedom. Of course, in the Islamic Republican system, elections
are held within its specific framework and regulations, but let us not
go outside the framework set by the law. The elections will be more glorious
and there will be more of a real choice made by the people when there is
more competition in these elections, when there is a more open climate,
and when the people are trusted.
The other point I address to the noble nation of Iran: Whether in the
next [Majlis] elections or in any other elections in future, continue to
be vigilant and choose the correct way with wisdom and analysis, and according
to your aspirations. Try, with your extensive presence and with your accurate
selection, to clear the way of your destiny and your nation.
Third, to the existing groups and factions: I tell all the groups and
factions to come and align your strengths and capacities with those of
this sacrificing nation. Do not view this nation's issues from a narrow
factional and group viewpoint. Come, honestly and bravely, and take part
in the arena of competition. Say what you have to say and trust the people's
choice and intelligence. Put aside destruction, put aside seizing upon
anarchy for group and factional interests. And then everyone -- nation,
government, and groups -- accept the people's choice, honour the people's
choice.
Oh great people of Hamedan! Women, men, girls, boys, young people, the
honourable nation of Iran! I want to remake my covenant with you. I have
pledged to you to take our society towards stability within the constitution
and to establish the rule of law as the basis of our work. I have pledged
to you to work towards the establishment and progress of a comprehensive
and enduring form of [social] development. I have pledged to you and pledged
to my Lord to defend the civil freedoms and legitimate and acknowledge
rights of this honourable nation -- to guard the honour and the freedom
of the nation. I have pledged to you to move towards justice. I have pledged
to you to follow a policy of detente as the basis of our relations with
the world, and to use common sense and dialogue -- but also insist on our
principles and codes -- in order to bring credit to the Islamic republic
and to expand the resources which the country can use. Today I repeat all
these pledges and I remake these covenants -- and of course, everywhere
and under all circumstances, [I insist on] the defence of the [religious]
values, the defence of principles, the defence of national security, and
the path which is approved by our great leader.
I thank all you dear ones; the esteemed clergymen present here; academics
and university staff; the dear military and law enforcement personnel;
the proud Basij personnel; the honourable families of martyrs; the honourable
and great war-disabled; the released PoWs; the honourable representative
of the supreme jurisconsult in the province and the esteemed Friday imam
of this city, Ayatollah Musavi; your hard-working and sympathetic governor-general,
Dr Jaberian; your honourable representative in the Assembly of Experts,
Ayatollah Saberi; your honourable and noble representatives in the Majles,
and you honourable men and women of Hamedan, particularly you enthusiastic
and sensible youths. Peace and God's mercy be upon you.
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