Mousavi: ‘we are prepared to pay any price’

A Video of this interview was posted a couple of hours ago on Mousavi’s official website kalame.

Referring to the strong participation of the people in protests on 4 November, Mousavi stated that recent post-election events had redefined many symbols and aspects of the history of Iran and the Islamic Revolution while rejecting any type of foreign meddling in the affairs of the country.

“What was seen on the streets [on 4 November] was first and foremost a military build-up against the population. I had never seen such scenes with so many forces in such sensitive spots in all the post-revolution years.”

Staying on the topic of 4 November demonstrations, Mousavi described the concentrated military presence he witnessed as he left his house on that day. “At that time and before the people’s build-up I thought to myself that even if a single person does come to the streets this will be a victory for the Green Path of Hope. Bringing out so many forces onto the streets just showed the fear that they [authorities] have and it demonstrated the greatness of the Green Movement.”

Mousavi also expressed concern about the atmosphere of terror that was dominant in the country and said that “the Islamic Revolution took place in order to give courage to the people.”

“My first impression of the build-up of [security] forces on November 4 couldn’t be anything but an attempt to insight fear and to threaten and target a great asset of the people [their courage],”explained Mousavi. “But if we ask whether they achieved their goal [of terrorising the population], according to my opinion this was not achieved.”

Mousavi went on to say that “a country governed in the name of Islam mustn’t take the path of terrorising the population.”

During the interview the veteran reformist stressed the need for the full implementation of the constitution and described the “widespread presence of [security] forces and the beating” of population as the main cause for some radical slogans that were chanted on 4 November marches. However Mousavi warned the people not to let their emotions lure them into engaging in violent confrontations with government forces, no matter how tempted they become.

Mousavi also reaffirmed his commitment to the Green Movement of Iran: “The Revolution happened for us to become committed to principles. The Revolution happened for us to find courage and to desire freedom as a principle virtue and inborn want. We cannot turn our backs on these principles and we shall pay any price for them.”

The former Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic also spoke of a consensus among Iranians about the need for the Green Movement to maintain its nonviolent means of struggle.

Mousavi then launched a series of criticisms towards the government’s economic policies including the newly proposed subsidy cuts put forward by the coup government of Ahmadinejad. The government’s proposed plans for severe subsidy cuts have been met with harsh criticism from within Iran. “This will surely have an impact on the livelihood of the people,” predicted Mousavi. He said that it was possible that we would “witness serious security, social and economic problems” in the country especially for the poorer sections of society and also for production.

Mousavi also expressed dismay at the performance of the Iranian Parliament because of its inability to carry out its obligations as a body charged with the task of monitoring the government’s actions.

He also described the current decision makers as individuals “who lack an impartial and comprehensive outlook” when it came to matters of national interest.