Article Id: IAP20020720000082
Document Id: 0gznjae02wf48l
Insert Date: 07/22/2002
Purge Date: 08/04/2004
Publish Date: 07/20/2002
Publish Region: Near East & South Asia
Lines: 424
Title: Iran: Secretary of Supreme National Security Council criticizes President Bush
Document Number: FBIS-NES-2002-0720
Document Type: Daily Report
Document Title: FBIS Translated Excerpt
Document Region: Near East/South Asia, The Americas
Document Date: 20 Jul 2002
Division: South Asia, North America
Subdivision: Iran, United States
Sourceline: IAP20020720000082 Tehran Vision of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Network 2 in Persian 1207 GMT 20 Jul 02
AFS Number: IAP20020720000082
Citysource: Tehran Vision of the Islamic Republic of Iran Network 2
Language: Persian
N/A
Subslug: Speech given by Hojjat ol-Eslam Hasan Rowhani, secretary of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council, prior to the Friday prayer sermons in Tehran on 19 July — recorded
[FBIS Translated Excerpt] In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate. [Passage omitted on Rowhani praising Khomeyni's role in staging the uprising against the shah and criticizing the US for playing a predominant role in Iran under the shah]
Like all great nations, the Iranian nation has also condemned America's search for preponderance and primacy at different junctures. Indeed, in recent years, it has blatantly contravened international laws.
In fact, this is tantamount to international autocracy and it is a new kind of global hegemony. They have strongly opposed this and they have declared their opposition to it as well. America's search for preponderance has become so serious that during recent events, the American president declared: Whoever is not with us is with terrorism [sentence as heard].
That means that America's behaviour and the decision and willpower of the American administration are the benchmarks against which international behaviour had to be assessed. America, particularly after the disintegration of the Soviet Union, has always claimed that it is the world leader and the world gendarme [preceding word in French]. It wanted to guide the other countries in the world and determine their future for them. However, this claim has been repudiated by many countries, as well as by all nations, including the great Iranian nation. There is no doubt in our minds that the American administration is really infuriated about the victory of the Iranian nation and the establishment of an independent Islamic state in this land. Apparently, it is impossible for America to give up on an important country called Iran. The Americans have not been able to find anything to replace Iran in this region. They have deployed a new fleet in this region, in the Persian Gulf. In countries to the south of Iran, they have established and expanded their bases. They have expanded their presence and their base in Turkey. However, none of those things could fill the vacuum left by Iran in America's regional policies.
In fact, Iran is an important location which can exercise the main influence over the regional energy situation and the sensitive waterways of the region and the strategic areas of the region. Iran can influence the entire regional security situation. Therefore, the Americans established bases in this area after the revolution. However, none of those areas could replace Iran.
Moreover, America has faced humiliation every time it made any decisions on Iran and the Iranian state. The people remained steadfast and they put up resistance. America was humiliated by the Iranian nation. The Islamic revolution served as a model for regional nations and this revolution influenced important moves in regional countries such as Afghanistan, Lebanon, Palestine and other countries. America was really infuriated. [Crowd chants: Death to America]
After the victory of the Islamic revolution and the continuation of the revolutionary path, the Americans were forced to change their behaviour and reappraise all their important strategic plans. All the plans that the Americans had in mind for changing Iran's behaviour so to speak, or for changing Iran's structures on some occasions, failed. In the first years of the revolution, they staged acts of provocation in this country and provoked some of Iran's border provinces. They relied upon some grouplets in this country. They pinned their hopes on them, but their hopes were dashed. Then, they pinned their hopes on a military coup d'etat. They planned the Nozheh coup d'etat [June 1980]. However, they failed. The Tabas affair [reference to the failed hostage rescue mission, April 1980] was another humiliation for the American government. Ultimately, America decided to concentrate on waging war.
During the eight-year [Iran-Iraq] war, America failed to achieve its aims. However, in the final years of the war, the Americans overtly intervened in the war against the Islamic Republic of Iran. They took part in the war and they committed every crime that was imaginable. They even attacked a civilian airliner that belonged to the Islamic Republic of Iran. Then, after the war came to an end, they did their utmost to ensure that our country's reconstruction and development programmes would fail. This was clearly exemplified by their economic sanctions. In the new period, the Americans, focused on political and cultural provocation. They think that they will be able to achieve their objectives by resorting to such means.
After the 20 Shahrivar [11 September] incidents, and the new international situation that was brought about as a result of the aforementioned incidents, America was provided with new pretexts. That was especially true after America gained its first victories in Afghanistan. It made a new decision on this country. After the Americans felt that they could gain a victory in Afghanistan and after the Taleban government was overthrown, the Americans became magalomaniacal. They decided to confront all the complex problems that they faced in this region. Ultimately, on 9 Bahman [29 January] last [Iranian] year, [George W.] Bush enunciated the so-called axis of evil doctrine in Congress.
With the enunciation of the axis of evil doctrine, the first important steps were taken towards issuing threats against the Islamic Republic of Iran and other countries that he had placed in that axis. He took action. However, America faced two problems. The first problem was the resistance, steadfastness and unity of the Iranian nation, which was displayed in the great rally staged on 22 Bahman last [Iranian] year [11 February 2002]. America issued its threats on 9 Aban [as heard, 31 October 2001] and the day that the so-called axis of evil doctrine was enunciated. On 22 Bahman, the Iranian nation entered the arena and responded firmly and decisively to America.
Moreover, America was also totally isolated and ostracized in the international arena. No country in the entire world was prepared to support America. Even European countries which were very close to America and which had been moving in step with it in the international arenas, like Britain, were not prepared to approve of the axis of evil [description]. Indeed, they explicitly expressed their opposition to that doctrine.
In the doctrine which was enunciated on 9 Aban last year, the American administration and the American president attacked Iran's national strength. They were issuing a threat and searching for people who would cooperate with them. In the international arena, they were looking for allies. However, America failed on both counts. Indeed, even many analysts in America and policy-makers of the former American administration explicitly criticized the Bush administration and the axis of evil doctrine. They declared that the course of action that America had embarked upon would ensure its failure.
America then made a new move on 21 Tir [12 July]. It adopted a new tone and issued a new threat to the Islamic republican state of Iran. This was contrary to the usual practice. Usually, the White House or the State Department issue statements or express views on various incidents in other countries. However, this time round, the American president himself issued a statement and this showed the importance of the decision made by the American administration. America's recent statement on the Islamic Republic of Iran was insulting and impudent, as well as devious. However, it was also extremely ridiculous and simplistic. [Crowd repeatedly chants: Death to America]
In his statement, Mr Bush declared that, over the preceding few days, he had noticed that the Iranian people wanted freedom, new opportunities and human rights. It is really astonishing that, over the last 40 years - when the Iranian nation was striving for freedom, independence and new opportunities, as well as for the implementation of Islamic laws, which incorporate the highest form of human rights — the American administration and America had failed to notice them. It is astonishing that it had not noticed that since a century ago, when the constitutional movement [1906] began, the Iranian nation had been trying to establish freedom, as well as an Islamic and just state. It is astonishing that for several centuries, the heroic, great, valiant and brave Iranian nation has been trying to choose its own destiny and establish a government on the basis of the rule of the people. However, America had not seen them. So he only talked about the last few days.
Only in the last few days, America has seen that the Iranian people want freedom, human rights and new opportunities. Moreover, Bush is talking about human rights despite the fact that, as you know, after the 11 September incident, they have officially announced that torture was legal and that the CIA was legally empowered to assassinate individuals in other countries. Moreover, they also announced the formation of a military court. Lawyers have no right to be present in such courts and the defendants do not have the right of appeal. Now, such a country has been talking about human rights. Then he says that, over the last few days, he had seen that the Iranian people wanted human rights. What is even more ridiculous is that, in his statement, Mr Bush pretends to be sympathetic to the Iranian nation. He has even claimed that the Iranian nation does not have a better friend than America. Now, throughout the last century, especially from 28 Mordad [reference to the coup d'etat against the government of Mohammad Mossadeq, August 1953] to the present, these people have seen nothing from White House rulers except enmity, interference, hostility, and ruthlessness. Now, he has declared that America is the best friend of the Iranian people. It is very ridiculous indeed that a dictator and a war-monger pretends to be an honest man. [Arabic phrase omitted]
It is really ridiculous for an old man to pretend to be a child or for a young man to pretend to be an old and sagacious man. It is really ridiculous that Mr Bush and the Washington ruling establishment are pretending to be sympathetic to the Iranian nation. A bellicose state is addressing the Iranian nation as if it was a philanthropist. Therefore, the statement was totally ridiculous.
At the same time, it was very audacious and insulting. That was because, in the statement, America addressed officials of the Islamic Republic in a peremptory manner. It said to the them, you must do this and do that. It says, you must. It is peremptory. It is looking down on them. Moreover, it has described the independent policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran as intransigent and subversive policies. What is even more insulting is that it has interfered in Iran's security and judicial affairs. This sort of tone belongs to the 19th century and early 20th century. Of course, Mr Bush has used the same tone to address the smaller countries in this region and some other small countries. However, this sort of tone is not worthy of a great revolution, a great nation and a state that is based on the rule of the people and which is deeply rooted in the hearts and minds of the people. It is very insulting and audacious.
At the same time, the statement issued by the American president was very devious. Moreover, he tried to categorize the Iranian society and the great Iranian nation. He tried to create a rift and foment discord among the people. He categorized our society into the reformist and anti-reformist groups. However, in our country, the Imam [Khomeyni] began the reform programme. He began the reform programme. The reforms will continue for ever. Such reforms will never stop. The Imam even started implementing reforms regarding the Islamic perspective. As a great Islamic scholar, he expounded Islamic perspectives in accordance with the methods that were tangible to him. Moreover, the Imam even issued instructions regarding constitutional reforms when he thought it was necessary to do so. The constitution is the mother of all laws. The Imam even issued instructions calling for reforming the structure of the state apparatus when he thought that it was necessary to do so. This included the Supreme Judicial Council and there was even a debate about doing so in the executive institutions. This was true of the post of prime minister, president and the new constitutional mechanism stipulated by the constitution. This was even true of the position of the leader in the constitution. The Imam issued instructions regarding all the reforms which he had in mind. The reform programme began and it was implemented. Of course, reforms will always continue and all the people support the reforms.
What Mr Bush has said is aimed at bringing about social disintegration. The other point made by the statement, which is very devious indeed, is the categorisations of the state and state officials into elected and un-elected officials. Firstly, since when has the American administration been supporting the holding of elections? The American administration has friendly and close ties with countries in which their people have never even seen a ballot box. They have never touched a ballot paper. They have never taken part in any elections. None of their officials have been elected by the people. Mr Bush has very friendly relations with them and he has never talked about the holding of elections in those countries. The American government supported the shah's government. There were no elections in this country when the former regime was in power. There were elections for the so-called National Consultative Majlis. However, everyone knew that those elections were held for appearances' sake. The people did not take part in them. How come he has become a supporter of holding elections recently? Moreover, the American administration is talking about a country in which an election is held every year. On average, we have one nationwide election every year. We have the elections for the Assembly of Experts, the presidential elections, the elections for the Islamic Consultative Majlis and the elections for [local] councils.
The number of the elections we hold are even greater than those held in America. So how come he has started advocating the holding of elections? What's more, he is talking about a country that — [changes thought] If anyone wants to find fault, he should criticize us for doing the opposite thing and he should say; why do you have so many elections in this country?
Moreover, key Iranian officials have all been elected as a result of the votes cast by the people. That is how they accept to fulfil their duties. Furthermore, everyone knows that the legitimacy of the state is based upon the constitution. Whatever the constitution has said is the basis of the legitimacy of the polity of this country. That is true of both those areas in which the constitution stipulates that holding elections is the means to do things, as well as those in which appointments are made. It does not make any difference because that is its basis. If the elections are legitimate, it is because their legitimacy for the state has been derived from the constitution.
The final point is that Mr Bush' statement was very simplistic indeed. The Americans think that someone is going to receive this message in Iran. The Americans think that this message will influence Iranian society. Their decisions were made on the basis of inaccurate information, wrong-headed analysis and the Zionists' and the Israelis' attempts to create a favourable environment for the White House. Otherwise, no-one in Iran was waiting for a message from the American administration. Nor was there anyone who was even prepared to listen to Mr Bush's message.
The Iranian people know how they should act in pursuit of the course action that they have embarked upon. The main purpose of issuing the statement was to target our national unity in this country, as well as our national government and, ultimately, the Islamic republican state of Iran. We will have to be really vigilant. The new doctrine is aimed at exerting pressure from the outside, while bringing about changes on the inside. That is what American strategists have been talking about recently. Mr Bush is trying to apply this doctrine to Iran. He started doing so by issuing this statement which is aimed at waging psychological warfare. In waging psychological warfare, they are trying to instil fear and terror in the people and they want to delegitimize the state and bring about social disintegration. America has all of those aims in mind. Of course, the statement represented the first step in that direction. What is important is the people's determination and resistance. You know that nothing is more effective against psychological warfare than the people's participation, their screams, their steadfastness and their resistance.
Fortunately, today, the people were present all over the country and they moved towards the Friday-prayer venues. They demonstrated their strength and determination. [Crowd chants: God is great, Khamene'i is our leader, death to the opponents of the guardianship of the supreme jurisconsult, death to America, death to Israel, death to Monafeqin and Saddam, death to Israel]
We know that the main reason that the American administration issued a threat against Iran was the Iranian people's quest for independence. From America's vantage point, the most serious crime committed by the Iranian people was their quest for independence. In pursuit of their aims, the people have incurred huge costs. They are prepared to pay any price for their independence. America is angry that the Islamic Republic of Iran can influence other nations, as well as the assemblies held in this region. The Americans are angry about the Iranian nation's steadfastness and resistance in the face of American plots, including America's hegemonic plans for this region.
Moreover, the new American administration is trying to revive its economy on the basis of its military industries. In fact, America's bellicosity is the reason why such threats have arisen. Basically, this includes leaving the ABM [Anti-Ballistic Missile] Treaty, the axis of evil plan, and more recently, the plan to launch pre-emptive operations. All of those things are aimed at bringing about international and regional situations that are conducive to waging war. It wants to continue to implement the plan that they had for the purpose of reviving their economy through the use of their military industries. Moreover, the Zionist lobby is acting as well.
The best option that we have in confronting the American conspiracy is to maintain our unity, cohesion and unanimity. We should not think that this message favours a certain group and that it is aimed at opposing another group. If such a perception takes hold in our society, then the American administration will have achieved its aim. The purpose of the American administration is to create a rift, foment discord and bring about social disintegration. The solution is unity, steadfastness, cohesion and unanimity. There must not be any doubts in our minds about the necessity of countering this threat.
The most important course of action that any nation can embark upon and the biggest step that it can take in response to psychological warfare is to demonstrate its determination to put up resistance and defend itself. The reduction of such willpower can be the greatest source of danger to our national strength. If anyone raises doubts about the necessity of confronting America, then he should certainly know that he has taken a step towards helping America. We should not have any doubts about this matter. We should speak with one voice when responding to America's insulting, audacious, devious, ridiculous and simplistic attempt to interfere in our affairs. We should remain steadfast and we should demonstrate our resistance. Of course, given the open political environment of our country, differences of opinion are only natural. We should not be afraid of this. There are differences of opinion and this is only natural.
However, all the parties, all the groups that support the revolution, all the parties and groups that support the path and line of the Imam, and all the statesmen of our country, have the same views on the importance of our independence and sovereignty, the necessity for repelling foreign aggression, our national security, national interests and territorial integrity. Thus there is a consensus of opinion in this country. Fortunately, these days, this consensus of opinion has been explicated and expressed very well by high-ranking state officials, as well as by all the parties and groups in this country that support the revolution.
Of course, we will have to be patient in order establish unity in our society. We will have to be tolerant in order to establish unity in our society. We will have to increase the threshold of our tolerance. We will have to clarify any ambiguities about the future in order to establish unity in our society. In this way, we will be able to join hands and we will be able to run this country without worrying about anything. We should all know that there is a division of power, as well as transfer of power, in this country. This is done in accordance with the law. If we all accept that, then differences and rifts do not mean anything and they will not affect our major and vital interests.
We believe that over the last 24 years, America has issued threats against Iran and put pressure on it. It has that experience and it did not get any results. The American administration should start a new experience for even one year if it can do so. This experience should be this; it should stop hostile activities against Iran; it should stop putting pressure on other countries that have close ties with Iran; it should rescind the D'Amato law; it should repeal the budget allocated to taking measures against the Iranian state and which was approved by the Congress; it should return the Iranian people's assets to Iran; it should overturn the verdicts issued by fictitious and fake courts that are totally against all international laws and verdicts which have been issued against the Iranian government and it should also lift the restrictions on the activities of American companies in Iran.
If it does take that step, it will see new horizons. Therefore, today, our only response to America is steadfastness and resistance. We speak with one voice when responding to America. We say that our society in this country is open and free. We have the right to express our views. We may even have different views on the policies that are being pursued. However, as far as our principles are concerned, we speak with one voice about our national interests and we have the same view. We will not permit any foreign country, particularly a hegemonic and bellicose country like America, to interfere in our internal affairs. Undoubtedly, the firm reaction of our nation, our state and our officials will show that there was a negative response to America's recent test on Iran. America will feel that as far as the Iranian nation is concerned, this was not the right choice. [Arabic verse omitted]. This was the sort of policy pursued thousands of years ago. [Arabic phrase omitted]. What Bush said in the statement, is the same strategy pursued by Pharaoh — a strategy that was pursued many centuries ago. The Koran has expounded it. The Koran has responded to it. They are truly corrupt. So we say to them, whatever America is doing is aimed at spreading corruption in the region and the world. The Iranian nation will remain steadfast in defence of its independence, sovereignty and national unity. Undoubtedly, God Almighty will assist and watch over this nation. [Koranic verse omitted.] May God bestow His peace and blessings upon all of you.
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