Accepting truce was ‘poisonous glassful’

Press, 22 July 1988, Page 6

Accepting truce was ‘poisonous glassful’

NZPA-Reuter Nicosia Iran’s spiritual leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeiny, said yesterday that accepting a ceasefire with Iraq was a “poisonous glassful,” but that he took the decision in the interests of the Islamic revolution. Following are excerpts from his wideranging message read on Teheran Radio (translation by Reuters): On accepting UN ceasefire Resolution 598:—

“Accepting the resolution was truly very bitter and unpleasant for everyone, especially for me ... Because of events and factors which I will not discuss for the time being, and considering the advice of all ranking political and military experts of the country whose commitment and honesty I trust, I agreed to accept the ceasefire resolution. "Acceptance of the resolution by the Islamic Republic of Iran does not mean the question of war has been solved. “We should be prepared to repulse possible aggression by the enemy and our nation should not consider the matter closed for the time being. Of course we formally declare that our aim is not a new tactic to continue the war

. "I repeat that accepting this was more deadly for me than taking poison. “You know that I had made a convenant with you to fight to the last drop of blood and the last breath. The new decision was made only on the basis of expedience. I renounced whatever I had said only in the hope of God’s blessing and satisfaction ... “My revolutionary sons, you who do not want to give up your sacred pride for a moment: Know that each and every moment of my life passes in the sacred love of serving you. I know it is hard on you — but isn’t it hard on your old father? “I know martyrdom is sweeter than honey for you — but isn’t it so for this servant of yours? But be patient ... I stress that you should not think I am not in the current of the war.”

On Saudi Arabia and last year’s bloody clashes in the holy city of Mecca, in which 402 people, most of them Iranians, were killed: “God willing, we will empty our hearts’ anguish at the appropriate time by taking revenge on al-Saud (Saudi Arabia’s Royal family) and America. ... We will celebrate the victory of righteousness over the armies of atheism and hypocrisy and will enter Masjid-al-Haram (Mecca’s grand mosque) ... The Mecca incident was not separate from the world-gobblers’ policy of decimating Muslims ... “We have repeatedly declared that we intend to spread the influence of Islam around the world and reduce the domination of world-gobblers. We are not cowed if servants of America brand this policy as expansionist and in pursuit of an empire. We intend to dry up the decadent roots of Zionism, capitalism and communism in the world ... and propagate the Islamic system.”