Interview at the End of the Visit to Lorestan Province

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. It was previously announced that visiting the deprived areas of the country and meeting with the people of these regions to closely observe their problems and issues was part of our program. Lorestan Province is one of those deprived areas; I was already aware of this. During this visit, by moving around some areas of this province and hearing reports from officials, I became more familiar with the problems of this province.

Of course, the people of Lorestan Province are among the bravest and most sincere people across the country; meaning that both during the imposed war over eight years, they showed great courage and loyalty, having many martyrs and sending many fighters to the front, and also in the matters of the revolution from the beginning until now, these people have demonstrated their steadfastness in religion, Islamic teachings, and the revolutionary path of Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified). These people are truly sincere and genuinely soldiers of this revolution. Despite all these problems and sacrifices, they do not express much expectation; however, this does not relieve us of our duty. The people of Lorestan are not demanding; but perhaps this even doubles our duty.

Knowing that the government is determined to resolve the problems of deprived areas as quickly as possible, and has especially allocated resources for this purpose, I have carefully investigated here. Fortunately, good decisions have been made, which we hope, God willing, will all begin by the end of this year. Some may take time and the work will continue; but by God's grace and the efforts of responsible brothers, these tasks will certainly begin.

In this journey, Mr. Mirzadeh - the honorable deputy of the President - is with us, who was sent by the honorable President, precisely to identify the projects that may be implemented here and return, so that, God willing, these tasks will be carried out, and Mr. Besharati - the head of the deprived areas office of the presidency - is accompanying us on this trip. Both gentlemen have sincerely made good efforts and undertaken good tasks.

The projects that I can mention here, so that both the people of this province are informed and the officials keep them in mind to pursue them, God willing, are as follows:

There are about ten to twelve important projects, one of which is to convert the higher education complex here into a university. This will be a very effective help in alleviating the deprivation of this province. When specialists are trained here and this opportunity is created for the youth here, naturally a big step will be taken towards alleviating deprivation. Another project is the construction of an artistic, sports, and cultural complex, which the youth here are in great need of and it is necessary for such a complex to be established. Another project is the expansion of the airport here. Currently, not all planes can land at Khorramabad airport. There are limitations for travel; it creates problems. God willing, this place will also be developed. It has been decided that two boarding high schools will be established in nomadic areas, so that nomadic children - who also have good talents - can have the opportunity to benefit from high school education. It has been decided to create one hundred classes in the deprived areas of the province in cities and villages. They intend to build a 96-bed hospital in Azna. Fifty organizational houses will also be created to attract experts; because experts who want to come here and take on major tasks of the province, if they do not have a place, their coming will be difficult. This is a help so that they can come. The implementation of gas supply operations in Khorramabad is also one of these projects; because the region, especially part of the cold areas, has an urgent need for gas. It has been decided that the government will allocate five million dollars in foreign currency for hospital equipment. Besides this, there are two important roads in the province; one between Khorramabad and Sepiddasht, and one between Khorramabad and Kuhdasht, which these two roads will help, God willing, to facilitate the province's communications. It has been decided to establish a livestock research center here; because nomads deal with livestock and this livestock research center will greatly help to provide more facilities for the province's livestock industry, God willing. It has been decided to establish five teacher training centers here; which is also one of the projects and helps local teachers to grow here. Besides these, it has been decided to establish at least one hundred light workshop units and handicrafts in various centers to create employment. These are the tasks that have been decided, God willing, to be pursued by the executive deputy of the President.

The credits considered for these projects are significant amounts and all relate to this year. In addition to these, it has been decided that Mr. Besharati will also pursue a set of credits, which includes fifty projects related to deprived areas. Perhaps most of these projects will be implemented during this year, God willing; some may remain for the year 1992.

In addition to all these, it has been decided that seventy other scattered projects will also be implemented throughout the province. These projects are quick-access projects; meaning things that are quickly accessible - such as road and bridge construction, baths, and water supply in villages - which our office will also pursue and carry out, God willing.

Overall, what has been committed to be done in this province, I believe, will help create a new movement in this province. Of course, the way is open for the government. The government welcomes fundamental work in deprived areas.

It has been decided, God willing, that after we return, we will invite the governor to come to Tehran and participate in the cabinet and present the major national projects related to this province - such as dam construction and the like - in the government. We have learned from experience that when a subject related to a region is presented in the cabinet, if the regional official or governor is present there and explains the region's problems, the ministers themselves become eager to do additional work besides their usual programs.

Thanks be to God, the government is truly a service-oriented government. The position of our honorable and dear President is clear and needs no explanation. Our ministers, as far as I have known and seen, are eager to serve the people; meaning they truly want to serve the people. As long as the executive groundwork is provided in the province and the provincial officials, God willing, have the ability to attract, the problems will gradually be solved.

In this province, the governor is, thanks be to God, good. He is an active executive individual and his cooperation with various agencies is also good; he also has good cordial and friendly relations with Mr. Mianji, the honorable Friday prayer leader here. We think that overall, the capacity for work in this province, God willing, will be high.

The tasks that were decided to be carried out during this trip are overall numerous; meaning small and medium projects amount to about one hundred and twenty projects. In addition to this, there were also large projects that we mentioned. God willing, the implementation of these projects will be a prelude to goodness and the dawn of blessings for this province.

God willing, you will be successful.