Statements in Meeting with the President, Officials, and Servants of the System

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

We welcome our dear brothers and sisters, the devoted and hardworking officials at various levels and different sectors of the executive apparatus of the country. We also thank the esteemed President, Mr. Ahmadinejad, for organizing and holding this session.

This session is considered the first of its kind, and we have not had any session in which various officials from the executive branch participated over the years. Of course, we have had joint sessions among the three branches at limited levels, as well as various meetings with esteemed ministers and officials from different sectors separately; however, this gathering has a different meaning and flavor, and I believe it is valuable, and it is very good that this experience is repeated in the future.

The first point I would like to convey to this esteemed assembly is that a precious opportunity has been given to you. Look at this opportunity as a means to draw closer to God, for worship, for the perfection of the soul, for fulfilling a duty that will bring us honor before the Almighty God and will be considered a treasure for that day when a person looks back with regret at their worldly life and seeks a reserve for that day; the Day of Resurrection.

You should truly appreciate this opportunity from two perspectives: one is the possibility of serving you; we are all partners in this regard. We could have been a seminarian in a corner of a seminary, engaged in limited work; we could have been a teacher; we could have been employed in a cultural sector, etc., with limited capacity and scope; but now we - that is, you and I - are in a collective whose destiny is in the hands of this assembly. This is very different from doing a useful job in a corner for oneself. The destiny of a country, the destiny of a nation, and one could say, due to the importance of this country and this nation, the destiny of the Islamic world, is today in the hands of this assembly that is sitting here; or the assembly of the servants of the Islamic system. We must all appreciate this wherever we are. This opportunity will not always be in our hands; today we are engaged here, tomorrow we may not be in this job or may not even be in this world. This is a valuable opportunity; a great work is being carried out by each of the components of the Islamic Republic's executive system. Therefore, appreciate this opportunity from this perspective.

The second aspect is that today, fortunately, there is an exceptional situation that has existed over the past several years. It is exceptional in that the fundamental slogans of the revolution are being declared as the axis of planning, movements, and policies. This is another aspect that makes today's opportunity for service significant and valuable.

Some may have thought - even some of the sincere revolutionaries, not the outsiders and the ill-willed; even close ones - that the main slogans of the revolution; the dignity of Islam, the issue of justice, the issue of fighting against global arrogance, the effort and struggle to alleviate the suffering of the oppressed, have come to an end! Some, of course, have had the audacity to write and say these things! They were mistaken; it was clear they were mistaken. But this audacity hurt hearts. Today, thanks to the Iranian nation, with the election of the Iranian people, a government has come to power whose fundamental slogans of the revolution are its basic and principled slogans. The discourse of the concepts of the Islamic revolution is today the prevailing and dominant discourse; this is very important. I had predicted this, of course. Perhaps about seven or eight years ago, in a meeting of the Islamic system's officials held in this very Hosseiniyeh, I presented reasons that the enemies of the revolution who think they can make the revolution forgotten and sacrifice it and pass over its growth are mistaken; I said you cannot; we knew they were mistaken. Thanks be to God, the Iranian nation made an effort, and what we wanted happened. This is also an opportunity. Therefore, your current responsibility is in such a position that the slogans of the revolution are declared as the fundamental principles of planning in this government; this is also very important. So, appreciate your responsibilities.

I say to the ministers and officials - this has been repeatedly mentioned, but we have visited you dear brothers and sisters less often to convey this matter face to face - that you should be aware that service, with the value I have mentioned in general, is far above that which one would use as a means to fulfill a material goal or personal objective. In these few years - whether four years, ten years, less, or more - that we have been in these responsibilities, we should use every moment for drawing closer to God. Some use these opportunities for service to fill their own pockets; to, in their own minds, secure their future; to enrich their own lives; this is a mistake. This is what Amir al-Mu'minin (peace be upon him) warned Malik al-Ashtar against, saying that this responsibility entrusted to you is not a prey; it is not a prey that you fall upon and seek to color your life with this work; no, this is a valuable opportunity to serve and work and to create a reserve for yourself. This is our main and primary message. Thanks be to God, there is both a thirst for work and motivation for work in this government, as well as capable and competent elements and forces in this government. This condition is met.

On the other side, there are the immense needs of the country. After all, we are heirs to a long period of domination by tyrants over this country. They have affected everything about us. They have impacted our culture, our mentalities, our beliefs, our resources, our geography, our international position, and have created class divisions; they have had a negative impact on everything. For many years in this country, the basis of governance has been to nurture the wealthy and financial elites or familial elites; they considered the country their own and their property and did not recognize any rights for ordinary people - that is, the vast majority of people - at all; this was the case during the Qajar era and the Pahlavi era; they truly did not recognize any rights for the people, and if they ever said anything, it was for the sake of appearances, for propaganda; but it became completely clear what their view of the people was. We are heirs to such a situation. It is evident that there are numerous problems and accumulated needs in the country. I do not say that we have not made any mistakes or had any wrong performances since the beginning of the revolution; yes, there have been mistakes. If these wrong performances and mistaken policies had not existed, we would certainly be a bit further along today; they have also contributed to the increase in needs today. Therefore, the conclusion is that today our country and nation truly need persistent, wise, comprehensive efforts and planned actions for progress.

The potential for progress in this country is very high. Our natural talents and human capabilities are very high, and we need innovation, to bring capable workforce into the realm of decision-making and action and effort; to utilize capable, competent, and sincere workforce and to lead the country on the correct path of progress, which, God willing, will be both material and spiritual progress.

We need courageous actions. One of the things for which I thank God regarding this government is that there is courage in action. Great works cannot be accomplished with hesitation, uncertainty, and fear; it is necessary to enter with courage. Of course, courage does not mean recklessly jumping into the water. Investigations must be conducted, correct thinking must be done; when a conclusion is reached, you must act without hesitation and uncertainty. "And consult them in the matter, and when you have made a decision, then rely upon God"; consult, conduct investigations, carefully assess the aspects, and when you reach a conclusion, then rely on God and enter the field. This courage is necessary.

Of course, entering some fields creates problems; there is no doubt; but these problems are like the problems of digging a deep well to reach oil; it cannot be done without problems. This is similar to those problems. Everyone endures these problems to reach oil; to reach water. They dig the mine to reach the valuable ore. These problems are of this nature. Now, the issue of gasoline is one of these courageous actions. It was a good action; it was good that it was carried out. They should carefully consider the aspects and move forward. I read in the reports that we are giving about forty thousand billion tomans in energy subsidies! If we can gradually reduce this, what will this huge amount be spent on? It will be spent on schools, on roads, on the lives of the people, on employment, on various investments, instead of being spent on burning a commodity that we import from abroad.

Some will raise objections. These objections always exist. Some of these objections are indeed made out of concern; not that all are malicious. The people must be explained to. The objection I have to this government is that their explanations to the people are insufficient. Your public relations in various sectors must act actively. Your public relations should optimally utilize the national media or the press; they should learn the way of expression. Sometimes a person explains and expresses; however, it is ineffective! Because the type of expression is not impactful and convincing; it does not clarify the truth correctly. This is one of the deficiencies that must be compensated for. Those who criticize sincerely will find their hearts at ease with this clarification and explanation. Some, of course, will not; some will say that if you take certain actions, they will say why you did it, for these wrong reasons; if you do not take the same action, they will say why you did not, for these wrong reasons! They will provide reasons; the door of analysis is wide open; they will say whatever they want! They do not matter. The truth will reveal itself; however, some criticisms, some concerns, some worries that exist in some people are sincere; they must be expressed and explained to them.

Regarding foreign policy - as the President explained - the position of the Islamic Republic has always been an offensive position. Changing the offensive position to a defensive position is a mistake. And this mistake has sometimes occurred! Why an offensive position? Does it mean we are at war with the world? No, it does not mean that; we are the ones who demand. We are demanding in the matter of the colonial policies of the colonial world; we are demanding in the matter of dealing with the issue of women in the world; we are demanding in the matter of creating internal wars and various armaments; we are demanding from the world in the matter of the proliferation of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons; we are demanding from the world in the matter of destroying the morals of people and promoting a culture of disgrace and immorality and the spread of sexual desire; these are the demands of a living and principled nation from a dominating world that is committing these wrongdoings.

Once, I was speaking somewhere - questions were raised - one of them asked me what defense do you have against such and such issue? I said we do not have a defense; we have an offense. In many issues, we do not have a defense; we have an offense, we have questions, we have demands against the world. Now, the nature of the world of arrogance is to be audacious; its nature is to demand even where it has no right. Now look at the speeches that the presidents of some countries, like the President and leaders of the United States, make; how audacious, uncalculated, and wrong they are. They either do not truly understand the issues or try to change the subjects; they try to present them differently.

Today, America is extremely hated in the Islamic world; this is undeniable. This hatred, of course, has reasons, and a government and regime do not become hated in the eyes of nations without reason. It is hated among the Palestinians, the reason is clear; it is hated among the Lebanese, the reason is clear; it is hated among the Iraqis, the reason is clear; it is known to be hated among various other Muslim nations, the reason is clear; because they constantly insult Islam, Muslims, and Islamic values; they support those who insult Islam; they trample on the rights of Muslim nations. Well, what is the result of this hatred? The result is that America, with all its heavy and noisy military presence in Iraq, remains stuck in the mud and suffers defeat. Today, it is no longer us who say that America has been defeated in Iraq; it is the judgment of all; it is the judgment of the Americans themselves and the political elites of America as well. Well, why does it fail? Because it is hated by the people; because the people dislike it. The hatred of the people for America causes them not to cooperate with it and to strike it wherever they can. The Americans come and change the subject and say Iran is against them in Iraq. Yes, Iran hates you; there is no doubt about it; the government and the people of Iran hate you; this is clear; but the issue of Iraq is the issue of the Iraqi people.

In Palestine, their arrows hit the stone, they remain unsuccessful, their plans fail, the forces supporting the Palestinian right gain strength and power, they become angry and say Iran is involved here! Iran came to Gaza, besieged Israel! Poor things, why do you ignore the reality?! Why do you insult the Palestinian people? If we can strike a political blow against America and Israel, we certainly will. But the issue of Gaza and Palestine is the issue of the Palestinian people. The Palestinians hate America; they are enemies of Israel from the bottom of their hearts; they have every right to do so; their homes have been occupied. A person should not ignore this truth and foolishly beat around the bush. In Lebanon, it is the same; in Afghanistan, it is one way; in Pakistan, it is another way. See this misunderstanding and this beating around the bush and this nonsense from the high-ranking officials of a great political and military power in the world and their failure to recognize the subject is a sign that they are in decline in their understanding and direction; they are truly defeated; because beyond the realm of political and military warfare, there exists another realm in warfare, called the realm of belief and faith and the realm of convictions. They are defeated in their beliefs. Their opponents have the right, see the truth, and have clear beliefs; but they do not have these clear beliefs and are forced to mix the realms; to connect the subjects.

Courage in dealing with global issues is a principle, just like domestic issues. Thanks be to God, one can see that this meaning exists. Of course, I emphasize and repeat that this courage does not mean recklessly tearing apart; we must understand what we are doing, be aware of what actions we are taking; we must conduct the necessary calculations and then take firm steps; rely upon God. The Almighty God has helped us until today, and He will always help us in the future.

Another issue that I believe is worthy of attention and is good, and my judgment on this matter is subject to the opinion of friends, is the issue of provincial trips. Provincial trips were a very good, prominent, and necessary action, and I truly wonder how some deny and question something that is so evidently good. This requires a lot of effort from the ministers, the President, and the executive and government officials, and it is a very exhausting task; however, what results from this work is the clarification of the distance between a distant view of the realities of a country and a close view; this is very different. I have worked in executive positions for years and am familiar with it. There are two ways a person sees issues: good reports that come to a person; complete reports that, on the surface, have no faults and are correct - a person reads the reports and discusses them - but what results from these reports is very far from what results from a close view. Seeing the reality, going to areas that had hoped that high-ranking officials would even remember them, is a very significant task, and this work is very valuable. Some of the cities that the country's officials - the President and ministers - visited had perhaps never seen even a director-general who would go and inquire about them; ask a question; but suddenly they see the President in front of them! This is a very important task. Do not ruin this important work. What has been done is the beginning of a blessed movement; however, this movement must continue to the end of the line, so that the blessings can be fully realized. From here on, it is in the hands of the executive officials. First, the resolutions of these trips must be executed meticulously; there should be no shortcomings; but if in some places it is not executable - it may sometimes be that an investigation for action in a certain province or county has been conducted, but its expert assessment has not been complete and it is not intended to be carried out - this must be clearly communicated to the people. Tell them we had decided to do this, but now we see that for these reasons it cannot be done. Do not let the work remain; do not let the people's hope in the honesty, diligence, and capability of the government be shaken.

Governors, mayors, managers of various sectors, directors-general, and officials of departments - many of whom are present here - should follow up on each of the tasks. Of course, I have been informed that they have started to pursue these in a timely manner; very good, this is a very good action and must be carried out. Of course, these trips have had many other side benefits.

Another point is that the officials of the sectors and provinces should also do these works; they should also go. Governors should maintain and continue their communication and contact with the counties and various sector officials and the people.

Another point I must mention is that various government officials, especially high-ranking officials, should not waste their time on the usual political and factional disputes, as this is one of the pitfalls. Not that they should not explain; yes, we emphasize that whenever a doubt arises, government officials should clarify that doubt and explain; justify and elucidate; but they should not fall into the trap of political disputes and various factional movements. This is what hinders them from working; avoiding this, in our opinion, is very necessary.

Another point is that the material needs of the people must be viewed alongside their spiritual needs; that is, an Islamic government does not only suffice with the stomach, housing, and the apparent comfort and peace of the people's lives; it also cares about their morals, their religion, the straight path that their youth must follow, their education and upbringing, their scientific growth, and their religious and pious growth. It is not the case that we say that the other is not the government's job; no, the government must create the necessary grounds for the flow and circulation of correct thought and virtuous ethics in the country. This, while being a cultural task, is also a political task.

Today, one of the prevalent and common policies in the hands of the dangerous Zionist network in the world and their governmental agents in various countries is to prevent the youth, especially in Islamic countries and particularly in countries that may rise against them as a scientific or political rival and threaten their interests, from taking a serious look at life. They want to waste these youths; they have planned for this. Countering this planning is not only a duty but also a courageous political movement; thus, the sectors related to religious affairs, the Ministry of Culture, scientific endeavors, the Ministry of Education, higher education, and medical education are among the very sensitive sectors in the government's macro planning and bear great responsibilities. The issue of moral security that these days the police force and the Ministry of Interior are pursuing is a very important issue. Yes, they create a commotion - like the gasoline issue and many other issues - but they should not pay attention to these commotions; they should see what their duty is and carry it out.

The fight against economic corruption is among these tasks. Within the government structure, the importance of fighting economic corruption is greater than the same task in the judiciary. The judiciary is responsible for punishing the corrupt, while the executive is responsible for preventing corruption; this is more important; this is prevention. In the twists and turns of various executive corridors - whether in the planning stage or in the execution stage - corruption takes root; these microbes of corruption arise and grow and multiply; we must prevent these. Of course, fighting corruption requires righteousness; first, we must be righteous ourselves; we must not be corrupt to be able to truly fight against corruption. If there is a weakness in us in terms of susceptibility to corruption, then we will no longer be assured of stepping into the field. Therefore, let us be careful of ourselves.

Dear brothers and sisters! Be careful of yourselves. The corrupt individuals whose names you have heard or descriptions you hear were not corrupt from the beginning; at one point, a tempting morsel, a sweet bite - knowingly or unknowingly - was placed in the mouth of these individuals, and it tasted sweet to them, then they took the next bite and the next bite and became corrupt. Be very careful. In these years you have been engaged in service - whether it is ten years, fifteen years, four years, or five years - be very careful of yourselves. Piety means this; it means this vigilance.

And another point I would like to mention is that in all planning, the vision document should be considered and this should be observed at all levels. Stability in planning is a condition for success. If there is no stability in planning and continuity in the correct direction - which, of course, this movement will also be corrected along the way, but the direction is one and has continuity - the construction and progress of the country will not reach fruition. Consider twenty years. Every year we have a program - a one-year program that is submitted to the parliament with the budget - that if the direction is not organized, contradictions in these programs may even nullify the actions being taken. We have created five-year plans - this is common all over the world - but if today's five-year plan is in the opposite direction of yesterday's five-year plan or in the opposite direction of tomorrow's five-year plan, these actions will cancel each other out and reform will never take place; because activities will nullify each other and the result will be the waste of national assets. To prevent this from happening, we have prepared a general long-term program as a vision document. This is the general twenty-year plan. Programs must be shaped under this ceiling; five-year programs must move in this direction. Every government that comes to power must maintain this direction; then the programs will complement each other. Of course, not all governments are the same; some work slowly, some work quickly, some bring all their forces to the scene, some do not; some may make mistakes, some may not; all of these are correctable; but the direction must be one. Therefore, consider this in all planning.

Fortunately, the country is progressing. Our friends know this, and our enemies know this. Thanks be to God, we are progressing in all areas; both in terms of construction within the country and in terms of restoring spirits. The motivation and dynamism and interest in our youth is very palpable. Our youth are truly motivated and ready to work; they are thirsty for work. We must identify the prepared and talented forces, find them, and assign them suitable work. If we manage correctly, the country has a lot of capacity and potential for progress. Wherever good work has been done, precise work has been done, with priority given to work, and courage has been shown, one sees that work has progressed and grown. In foreign policy, it is the same. In the matter of nuclear energy, as well as in other issues, we say what is right, what is correct, what is in accordance with the understanding and approval of fair-minded people all over the world; we want that and we pursue it with courage. The commotions will have no effect; they will not hasten us, nor will they slow us down. We do what we believe is right and have justification for it. What we feel is our duty, we carry out. The Iranian nation has shown that they are steadfast, powerful, loyal, present in the scene, and sincere. If we move correctly, the nation will be with us.

We seek God's assistance to guide us; to hold our hands; to grant success to all of you dear brothers and sisters; may the esteemed President, the members of the cabinet, and the high-ranking officials of various executive bodies, God willing, be included in His favors and guidance, and may each of the executive officials of the government - brothers and sisters and officials of various sectors - be included in His support, success, and grace, and may the prayers of the Awaited Savior (may our souls be sacrificed for him) encompass all of you.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.