Manifestation of the Friend
Perfect Role Model
Last Part
Do not keep silent with regard to the Soviet Union
In 1986 when as the representative of the Imam and supervisor of the Iranian Haj pilgrims I went to perform the Haj pilgrimage, an interview was arranged at the airport in which I spoke of the political issues that must be proposed at the Haj pilgrimage. In particular I referred to the ‘Disavowal of Pagans” demonstrations that year for the unity of Muslims and the slogans we had prepared against America and Zionist aggressors and the problems of Lebanon. At that moment, I did not make any mention of slogans against the Soviet Union; rather I said that we would propose slogans against America, Israel and the infidel and atheistic powers. Then when we departed for Mecca, Haj Ahmad called me on the phone and relayed the message of the Imam that the Imam had stated that we should observe the policy of the slogan “neither East nor West” and that just as we attacked America and its policies, alongside it we should also directly attack the Soviet Union as well and not to discriminate between the two superpowers. At that moment I did not understand what had been the issue and simply replied that we would do as instructed. When the Haj rituals were performed and we returned to Iran, Haj Ahmad told me that, “Aqa Karrubi, do you know what the core of the issue why I sent you the message was?” I replied in the negative and he said: “We too were not aware that the Imam had heard the interview you gave at the airport in which you named America and Israel but failed to mention the Soviet Union. Then the Imam stated: “In Mecca he must not put the Soviet Union in an envelope. No, he must name the Soviet Union directly and he must also refer directly to the invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviet Union.”
Nothing must be kept away from the nation
The personal message of American President Carter to the Imam requesting that the American hostages be freed was relayed to the Imam through former Foreign Minister Qutb-Zadeh on Friday whereas Mr. Qutb-Zadeh had received it from the Swiss Charge d’affaire on Wednesday. The following day or on that same day they had sent a second message to Bani Sadr.
However, the message given to the Imam did not contain the harsh words that was contained in Bani Sadr’s message and was more lenient. When the Imam read the message he stated: “This must be published because we do not hide anything from the nation and secondly, it is possible that they have published it themselves so that they think something and the people also get the wrong impression that things are being hidden from them.
We must tell the people all that is taking place and the people must decide for themselves.” For this reason he sated: “Publish the message immediately so that it is broadcast on the same day over the radio network.”
Source:
The Book "Manifestation of the Friend: A collection of memoirs about Imam Khomeini (R.A)"
Other Links:
Manifestation of the Friend: Perfect Role Model (part 7)
Manifestation of the Friend: Perfect Role Model (part 8)
