Emphasizing on "the continuation of the path and strategy" of Khomeini, the mullahs' leader said: "We will never recognize the Zionist enemy which has set up a usurper and occupationist government in the Islamic land of Palestine... We will never conceal our conviction on the need to annihilate that occupationist regime." Khamenei added, "We will continue to consider the United States, the Great Satan and the leader of the Arrogant conspiracy, as our enemy and will not extend our hand of friendship."
Clearly targeting Khatami and his faction, Khamenei said that whoever did not follow this path "was either doing something hostile or if not the enemy, is acting as the fingertips of the enemy."
Khamenei pointed to fundamentalist and terrorist groups in Algeria, Turkey, Sudan, and European countries, as well as to "the revival of Islamic mottoes in many Muslim countries." He acknowledged that these were "the profound and growing impact" of the Khomeini regime "on the world of Islam and the nation of Islam."
By arresting Gholam-Hossein Karbastchi, the mayor of Tehran and an ally of Khatami on the one hand, and by issuing his message yesterday on the other, Khamenei, thus, launched another counterattack against Khatami and his faction.
Khatami's efforts and his contacts with Khamenei to prevent Karbashtchi's arrest bore no results. The mullahs' president has instructed a commission to launch a major campaign to secure Karbastchi's release.
Eight months after Khatami took office, the unprecedented escalation of the internal power struggle will expedite the definite overthrow of the regime in its entirety.
Khamenei's remarks once again revealed that the investments by some western countries in the moderation of this religious dictatorship is totally alien with the realities of Iran. The placating policies of these countries towards this terrorist dictatorship only gives it more opportunity to step up its internal repression and export of terrorism.
Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran
April 5, 1998
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