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Oh Lord, in these critical moments for my country, in this
sacred place where still echoes the voices of steadfast , selfless and
dedicated men, help me to speak nothing but the truth, to say nothing but what
is in the interest and for the good of the people.
Honorable Mr. Speaker of the National consultative Assembly,
Ladies and Gentlemen, during the turbulent history of our ancient Land, there
were dark days that were in fact, mostly the consequence of short-lived foreign
subjugation. Though it seems to be the consequence of 25 year rule of corrupt and
incompetent governments, the present danger to the unity and very existence of
the country, is rather rooted in a huge international conspiracy against the
integrity and sovereignty of Iran.
Before
coming to this sacred place, I publicly declared that if I became the Prime
Minister, I would be a responsible one and would follow all the parliamentarian
traditions and I would safeguard individual and social freedoms. If you, the
honorable representatives who elected me as a Prime Minister with majority vote,
also give my cabinet your vote of confidence, you can rest assured that the
spirit and letter of the constitution which has unbreakable ties to Islam will
be respected at all times. I promise that I will assume with no hesitation my
obligation to forcefully counter any conspiracy, any individual or any
organization intending to violate the unity and indivisibility of the Iranian
nation. I will oppose them with my faith, the support of the people and the
might of the army, which is one of the important pillars of the country's stability and independence.
My government is the obvious outcome of a revolution,
which began two years ago, against continuous violations and
indescribable disasters that had become commonplace. My government favors the
main goals of the National Front of Iran and will try to implement them.
In this time when the government purse is empty, and most of
the factories in the country have been shut down, I urge you, as respected
representatives and citizens of this country, to do your best to turn the
wheels of our economy in order to guarantee the independence and welfare of our
people. We must all give this new government a chance to direct the country
towards a progressive and incorrupt regime based on the principles of Islam,
the constitution, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Now, with all due respect and to save your time, I'll present the short term
program of the government orally, and will distribute the printed version of
the long term program.
Highlights of Government's Emergency Programs
1-
Dissolution of the Organization
for Information and Security of the Country (SAVAK) [the former regime's
political police], substituting
it with an intelligence agency serving the independence and security of the
nation.
2-
Expeditious trials for plunderers
and violators of people's rights to take place either in existing courts or
through national courts with special competence created by new laws.
3-
Appointment of an independent
commission to investigate the activities of former SAVAK officials and the
prosecution of the violators.
4-
Release of all political
prisoners. All those who were tried and convicted in unconstitutional courts in
violation of the constitutional rights of the Iranian nation, must be released.
5-
Rehabilitation of all political
prisoners detained since August
19, 1953.
6-
Payment of appropriate
compensation to all those who have been detained over a year or have been
harassed or disabled due to political charges (since August 19, 1953).
7-
Payment of appropriate
compensation to minor and under tutelage survivors of all those who lost their
lives while detained in so called security detention centers.
8-
Abolish gradually martial law with
the cooperation of religious leaders in cities under martial law.
9-
Pass a law in the parliament to
officially call recent political victims "martyrs".
10-
Pay compensation to the families
of the "martyrs" and those who were disabled during the recent
struggle (rioting).
11-
End the strikes with the
cooperation of religious leaders, responsible intellectuals, workers, and
industrialists.
12-
Create an atmosphere of
cooperation between the government and the clergy so the Ayatollahs [clerical
leaders] can supervise the function of government.
13-
Repair the recent destruction so
society can function properly.
14-
Revitalize production [which had
come to a stop because of general strike during the revolutionary movement] in
the country to improve the economy.
15-
Organize free elections for the
city councils, mayors, and, both houses of the parliament (National Assembly
and the Senate).
16-
Expel all unnecessary foreign
workers and those who work illegally.
17-
Restore the rule of law in the
country.
The Foreign Policy of the Iranian Government
The foreign policy of this government will be based on an
accurate evaluation of both internal and external circumstances; sincerity and
openness will be the cornerstone of its international relationships. Based on
these principles the government is determined to defend the rights and
interests of the nation, which include its territorial integrity, its
sovereignty and its security, on the international arena. The government is
determined to protect the national interests as well as the rights that
guarantee the sovereignty, security, and unity of the nation.
The Main Principles of the Foreign Policy
1- Strengthen and extend the political, economic, and cultural
relationships with the Islamic countries.
2- Continue and extend relationships with all countries, especially our
neighbors, based on mutual respect, nonintervention, and peaceful coexistence
in accordance with our national interests.
3- Consider the common interests of the Iranian nation with developing
countries, and consciously expand our relationships with these countries.
4- Because economic and social progress and ultimately the implementation
of the Iranian nation's ideals require peace and security on the international
scene Iran
will support any efforts to resolve international conflicts. In other words, Iran
will not take sides hastily in any international conflict and will only take
the position that serves the national interests of the Iranian people.
5- The policy of Iran
is based on unconditional support of the United Nation's Charter as well as the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and related covenants. Iran
will try to protect and support human rights and the legitimate demands of
those nations struggling against colonialism, or its effects, in all
forms.
6- Regarding the fight against apartheid, the UN General Assembly has
condemned the South African regime several times and Iran
will act accordingly. Therefore, the government will revise its policy towards
the South African government based on the UN General Assembly's resolutions and
will stop selling oil to this government.
7- Regarding the Middle East problem, the
government of Iran
will express solidarity with its Arab brothers and will support them,
especially the Palestinian nation, in their efforts to obtain their legitimate
rights. Iran
will stop selling oil to Israel,
too.
In order to implement the above principles, this government
must completely revise the diplomatic organization that carries out its foreign
policy. All the negative factors and obstacles such as lawbreaking,
discrimination, negligence, embezzlement of the government's funds, and
favoritism must be removed. My government is firmly committed to use all
necessary means to purge and radically reform the diplomatic apparatus, so that
it could implement the country's foreign policy. The details of such endeavour
won't fit in this short session. My government commits to end lawbreaking and
contempt for the Foreign Ministry's charter, rules, and regulations. To
complete the above mentioned charter in accordance with its stipulations, the
government will swiftly submit a bill to the parliament.
Highlights of the Domestic Policy of the Government
-
Safeguard of the individual and
public freedoms, such as freedom of thought, expression, and press, according
to the Constitution.
-
Rehabilitation of the Judiciary
and protection of its independence.
-
Government noninterference in the
planning and management of the country's industry, except for industries
dealing with petroleum, gas, and radioactive materials, which must function
under government protection, control and guidance.
-
Decentralization in all areas of
the country's administration and reorganization of the prefectorates in
accordance with the requirements of the decentralization plan.
-
Provide for the welfare of the
government employees by adjusting their salaries to the minimum cost-of-living,
and providing additional benefits for them to increase their performance.
-
Consistently fight corruption both
in public and private sectors.
-
Planning, organizing and
implementing projects whose goal is to make the country's agriculture and
animal husbandry self sufficient.
-
Make all-out efforts to fight
inflation.
-
Effectively implement the social
security plan, limiting it to the government's real plans.
Before presenting details of the working plans for all the
ministries in my government, I ask your attention to the following changes in
two ministries:
1- In order to prevent any unjustified government intervention in the
affairs of the universities and insure real independence for them, my
government shall dissolve the Ministry of Education and Sciences and substitute
it with a Bureau in the Prime Ministry Office. This Bureau will be in charge of
planning, budgeting, and coordination for all universities and higher education
schools according to the needs of higher education in the country. (There will
be a bill based on the opinions of the universities' professors submitted to
the parliament.)
2- In order to prevent the assignment of the same task to several
Ministries and avoid evasion of responsibilities, the Organization for Planning
and Budgeting will be reformed and charged
only with the task of budgeting, reporting and monitoring the budget implementation
according to the country's needs. (There will be a bill based on the opinions
of the planning experts presented to the parliament.)
The working plans for other ministries are ready and will be
presented to the respected parliament for information, investigation, and
expression of opinion.
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