Mehrzad Farhoudi
A decade ago, dissident grand ayatollah Montazeri delivered a speech harshly criticizing the Islamic Republic's leadership. Islamic Republic's officials immediately reacted to Montazeri's speech and an army of vigilante hardliners attacked his residence. Days later, the Supreme National Security Council issued a house arrest warrant on Montazeri, which lasted a few years. Toward the end of former president Khatami's term, under the pressure from intellectuals, reformist Majlis deputies and public opinion, Montazeri was released from house arrest. We have spoken to Mr. Montazeri on the tenth anniversary of that event.
Rooz (R): Ten years ago the National Security Council placed you under house arrest. In your opinion, what was the reason behind the regime's anger toward you?
Montazeri (M): The main reason for the regime's anger at my speech was nothing other than advice and reasonable criticism – but you have to ask them. I had no intention other than to give advice and defend the sanctity of religion. Now, if the regime has a different interpretation, and behaves in a manner insulting to Islam and the law, that is not my problem. The regime has to answer for its own behavior.
R: Now that you are not under house arrest anymore, are you free to propagate your views as a grand ayatollah?
M: I sometimes give advice to the country's officials in interviews and meetings, but the press is forbidden from reporting it. If a publication breaks the arrangement that they have and writes about me it will be intimated and harassed.
R: When you were under house arrest, Mr. Khatami's reformist cabinet was in power, but today, hardliners control the government. In your opinion, did the reformists have any tangible success in instituting free speech and other liberties?
M: Unfortunately, the opportunity that you refer to was not properly used. It was possible to use it more effectively. In any case, the meaning of real reforms - and not just slogans about it - is to revive the ideals and promises of the [1979] Revolution that may have been forgotten or diverted over time. It is natural for a state to get entangled in other problems and be diverted from its path, which makes reforms necessary. In such circumstances, it is the responsibility of honest and competent people, who are supported by the public, to use reasonable and constructive criticism and provide effective plans to reform the system. My own suggestions and recommendations in the past were given on these basis.
R: Some analysts believe that the world public opinion is ready for war with Iran and supports such a war. What advice do you have for our statesmen?
M: I have declared in several interviews that officials must not provide the enemy with any excuses by making provocative remarks and start a new war against our nation and people. These slogans have no effect other than creating tension, increasing the distance between us and them, and intensifying economic sanctions against our country. This is exactly what Israel is after.
