Supreme Leader
Responds to Obama's Message to Iranians
So now that Barack
Obama has sent a conciliatory Persian New Year message to Iranians and their
leaders, is Tehran responding favorably? According to the Islamic Republic's
state-controlled Fars News Agency, the Supreme Leader's response is the
political equivalent of "Show me the money." In a speech delivered on
March 22, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said in part:
"We say that
if a velvety glove covers a cast-iron hand - the move will be in vain. … We
don't know who America's real decision maker is: the president or the Congress.
But Iranians will decide on the basis of definite calculations - not emotions.
… Has your enmity toward the Iranian nation ended? Have you released Iran's
assets or ended sanctions? Have you stopped your negative propaganda against
Iran? Have you ended your absolute support for the Zionist regime?"
-- Ayatollah
Seyed Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of Iran
TEHRAN: The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution,
Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, has underlined today that no other nation can
deceive or intimidate the Iranian nation.
Addressing a huge crowd of Iranians on Sunday, in the holy
shrine of Imam Reza (Peace Be Upon Him) in Mashhad, northeastern Iran, the Leader
said that the dear and great Iranian nation, by making use of the positive
things that are now occurring, would transform the Revolution's fourth decade into
a monumental period that promotes the cause of "progress and
justice."
Ayatollah Khamenei took note of the millions of fresh and educated
young people, the valuable experience of the nation's elites, officials and
managers in confronting many problems, including the carrying-out of Article 44
of the Constitution and preparing the nation's infrastructure for making the Revolution's
fourth decade one of progress and justice.
In order to help achieve true justice, the Leader urged a
reduction in the gap between rich and poor and said that while making this a
reality is difficult - it is also achievable. He referred to the difficult
battle against economic and social corruption, saying that a working model of
progress must be based on officials and managers who are faithful, brave, and
pure - and have a vision of the future.
Referring to his Iranian New Year message about revising
patterns of consumption, Ayatollah Khamenei said that this would be a tangible
step toward progress and justice because the disease of waste results on
many economic, social and cultural problems and threatens the nation's future.
Ayatollah Khamenei called for economizing and optimizing the
consumption of the nation's resources and said that the bad behavior of the few
in the country have ruined the balance between production and consumption. For
example, one third of all the bread and one fifth of all the water in the nation
are wasted.
The real power in Iran: Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei
The Leader termed labeled the issue of the pattern of
consumption as one of religion and rationality, and advised the three branches
of government to take practical action to address these issues.
Later in his address, Ayatollah Khamenei pointed to upcoming
presidential elections, regarding them as one of the Islamic Republic's central
pillars. He said that religious democracy could not be established by words
alone, but by the presence of the people and strengthening the rational and
emotional link between the people and developments in the country. This could
be achieved, he said, only through correctly-run elections and a massive turnout
at the polls.
Addressing the presidential candidates, Ayatollah Khamenei
said that elections aren’t a tool for grabbing power, but are a means for
promoting the nation's strength, warning them about using language that would incite
the greed of the enemy.
The Supreme Leader advised candidates to stick to fair
criticism of other candidates and asked all candidates to offer their views to
the people and allow them to make their decision after they listen diligently.
Pointing to his own stance on the candidates, the Leader
said that rumors about his choice were incorrect, and that he has one vote and
would not be the one to choose a candidate, because it is the people themselves
that should do so.
COMMENTS ABOUT THE U.S. AND OBAMA ADMINISTRATION
"Sometimes I defend the government, so some people take
that to reflect a preference on my part. But it is my duty to defend the
government that serves the nation, resist The Arrogance [the U.S.] and react
to any unfair criticism. But this is no reflection of my stance about the polls,"
he added.
Ayatollah Khamenei also touched on the issue of Iran and
America, and said that the quality of interaction with the American government is
a major test for the Iranian nation. Referring to the American Administration's
enmity toward the Islamic Republic, the Leader said," America provoked and
promoted terrorism and separatism against the Islamic Republic, and based on
reliable information, America continues to cooperate with terrorists along the
Iranian-Pakistan border."
Referring to American atrocities against the Islamic
Republic of Iran, including seizure of Iranian assets, it's support for Saddam
in his invasion of Iran which left 300,000 Iranian martyrs, its massacre of 300
people in a missile attack against an Iranian passenger jet,
Ayatollah Khamenei said "Can the Iranian nation simply forget these tragedies?"
Touching on the sanctions that have been imposed on the
Islamic Republic of Iran over the past 30 years, American support of
terrorists, the tension it has brought to the region for its absolute support for
the Zionist criminals [Israel] and its continuing threats against Iran as long-standing
proof of American enmity toward Iran. The Leader said that American officials
have insulted the Iranian nation many times and some have even sought to
eradicate this great and honorable country.
Ayatollah Khamenei noted that America's new government says
that it has stretched its hand toward Iran. "We say that if a velvety
glove covers a cast-iron hand - the move will be in vain," the Leader
said.
In reference to America's New Year message [watch below], Ayatollah
Khamenei said despite this, Washington has accused Iran of supporting terrorism
and seeking nuclear weapons.
PRESIDENT OBAMA'S NEW YEAR MESSAGE TO IRAN
"We don't know who America's real
decision maker is: the president or the Congress. But we underlined that
Iranians will decide on the basis of definite calculations - not
emotions," the Leader said.
In regard to talks with America and the new U.S.,
president's slogan of change, Ayatollah Khamenei urged Washington to demonstrate
real change.
"Has your enmity toward the Iranian nation ended? Have
you released Iran's assets or ended sanctions? Have you stopped your negative
propaganda against Iran? Have you ended your absolute support for the Zionist
regime?" Ayatollah Khamenei asked.
Posted by WORLDMEETS.US
The Supreme Leader said that real change is not mere word play.
He said just changing tactics but continuing to pursue previous goals would be
a deception rather than change. He said that U.S. officials should be cautious because
the Iranian nation can not be deceived or intimidated.
Ayatollah Khamenei said that American officials must change
their attitudes, adding," If you don't change, you can be sure that divine
ways and nations will change you." He advised American officials to
investigate why the global public hates their nation and said," Take a
lesson from reality. For you and your country's sake, stop these policies and
behaviors and your global image will gradually improve. Ponder my words carefully.
And of course, don't ask the Zionists to translate them; consult with the right
people instead."
"As long as the U.S. pursues the hostile methods and
policies it has used for the past 30 years, our nation will react just as it
has and become stronger and more experienced," Ayatollah Khamenei said.
Ayatollah Khamenei also expressed his deep sorrow over the
passing of the late Imam Khomeini's wife, Mrs. Khadije Saqafi, and said that
through thick and thin, this notable person stood by the late Imam Khomeini and
that he prayed for the peace for her soul.
