Imam Khomeini, the late founder of the Islamic Republic during his historic stay in French city of Neauphle-le-Château told Russell Kerr, a member of the British House of Commons and member of the Labor Party that Islamic government is identical with development, civilization and progress; it is not against them.
Imam also accused Shah regime and his western backers of launching a massive propaganda against the Islamic movement.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Imam said that Shah’s reactionary administration had kept the countries economic and culture a backward state and poor condition.
Imam made remarks months before his return to homeland and the victory of Islamic Revolution in 1979.
A part of the dialogue between Imam and the British parliamentarian comes as following:
Dialogue
Date: November 1978 [Ābān 1357 AHS / Dhū’l-H!ijjah 1398 AH]
Place: Neauphle-le-Château, Paris, France
Subject: Iran-Britain relations; situation of human rights in Iran in the future; freedom from the Shī‘ah point of view
Addressee: Russell Kerr, a member of the British House of Commons and member of the Labor Party
[Russell Kerr: There are widespread propaganda in the US and Britain claiming that if Khomeinī assumes power in Iran, he will pull the country back to five hundred years ago. They say that your movement is traditional and retrogressive; they say it is a plan against the Shāh’s modernization. In our opinion it is important to introduce the progressive aspects of the Islamic movement. I have the time and opportunity for the introduction of these aspects; and I am doing so to help Iran’s future.]
Imām Khomeinī: What you have seen in the media is merely Shāh’s propaganda. Huge amounts of money have been spent in this regard to safeguard the Shāh. Well, you just see what the people’s scramble is. Are the people retrogressive? Is the exclamation for independence and freedom retrogressive, or the Shāh’s claim?
Islamic government is identical with development, civilization and progress; it is not against them. Under the Shāh’s rule the country is moving toward deterioration and retrogression. He has kept our youth and our culture backward and does not allow them to complete their studies; our universities are retrogressive and dependent; the ruling system is dependent on others; and dependence is indeed retrogressive. Our economy is in shambles; it is dependent on others. We do not have industry; it is assemblage, not a progressive industry. We want an independent nation, independent country, and an independent economy, but the Shāh is a hurdle in this way. We, and the nation, have risen against the Shāh, for he, not us, has kept the country retrogressive. Are we reactionary? The Shāh is reactionary. Currently he is enforcing the medieval laws in the country.