Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and members of the Cabinet met the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei on Sunday, August 26.
The meeting was convened on the occasion of the Government's Week, August 24-30, which also marks the martyrdom anniversary of the former Iranian officials President Mohammad-Ali Rajayee and Prime Minister Mohammad-Javad Bahonar who lost their lives in a bomb blast on August 30, 1981.
Speaking at the meeting, the Leader felicitated the audience on the auspicious birth anniversaries of some noble members of the Holy Prophet's household (peace and greetings be upon them) in the lunar month of Sha'ban, especially the propitious birth anniversary of His Holiness Imam of the Age (may Almighty Allah hasten his reappearance) on Sha'ban 15.
Ayatollah Khamenei stated that this auspicious feast imbues one with noble hopes and aspirations and a desire for justice and equity. He also referred to the Iranian government's efforts to fulfill those hopes and aspirations.
"The human community, in general, and the Iranian nation, in particular, is thirsty for justice and equity, and the incumbent government has imbued the Iranian people with hopefulness by raising the banner of justice. Indeed, this year's coincidence of the Government's Week with the auspicious birth anniversary on Sha'ban 15 is quite pleasant and meaningful," Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out.
Further in his statements, the Leader of the Islamic Republic honored the memory of the martyred President Mohammad-Ali Rajayee and Prime Minister Mohammad-Javad Bahonar. He noted that those magnanimous individuals who were motivated by their devotion to revolutionary values made every effort to promote hopefulness and administer justice in society, and that their memory confers honor on the Government's Week.
Ayatollah Khamenei called on the incumbent government officials to make use of every moment to strive in the way of Allah and serve the general public. He also touched on the main features of the present government, describing the adherence to the Islamic and revolutionary values and principles as one of the major features of the present government.
"The adherence of the Islamic Republic system to the basic slogans and principles of the Islamic Revolution is a unique phenomenon which has no precedent in any of the revolutions in the world, and the reason for the continued hostility of the arrogant and expansionist powers is this same prominent feature of the Islamic Republic system," Ayatollah Khamenei told the audience.
The Leader also referred to the pursuit of social justice as another remarkable characteristic of the incumbent government. He stated that it is clear that efforts to administer social justice would not yield results in the short term, but he added that the measures which have already been taken by the government to achieve this objective are quite valuable, and he called on government officials to continue with their efforts to accomplish this goal.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out that the present government is also characterized by perseverance and ceaseless and tireless efforts as well as by bravery and firmness of purpose.
"The great and laudable measure to control fuel consumption is the first step toward spending subsidies on worthy causes, and this goal should be achieved by making prudent decisions and taking other appropriate measures," the Leader observed.
As regards the true meaning of reform, Ayatollah Khamenei stated that the real reform means bringing about basic and structural changes aimed at amelioration and improvement. He added that this is what the incumbent government is presently doing.
Further in his statements, the Leader of the Islamic Republic pointed out that standing up to the arrogant powers and resisting their illogical demands is another feature of the present government.
"In the present world in which power is the only logic dominating international relations, any kind of irresolution will cause great harm and damage. Being aware of this reality, the present government is standing up to the bullying powers and, by doing so, it has brought honor and dignity to the Iranian nation," the Leader remarked.
Ayatollah Khamenei also referred to the provincial visits of Cabinet members as another positive feature of the present government. He noted that these visits help government officials become aware of the problems that are besetting the residents of various provinces.
"Becoming informed about the people's problems and demands by reading the reports is quite different from becoming aware of those realities by meeting the people face to face, and the present government has undertaken this laborious task in a serious manner," Ayatollah Khamenei observed.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Leader of the Islamic Republic advised the Cabinet to take the country's 20-Year Perspective Document more seriously. He stated that the document, which is the county's macro plan to be implemented over a period of 20 years, is the outcome of comprehensive expert studies, and that it should receive due attention as a covenant in all legislation and planning and policy-making.
Ayatollah Khamenei also called on the government to boost its interaction with the elites and intellectuals at universities and various academic and research centers throughout the country.
"There are many elites and intellectuals at universities and academic and research centers across the country that are eager and prepared to assist the government, and inviting their cooperation will help to bolster up the expertise underlying the government's measures and policies," Ayatollah Khamenei told the audience.
The Leader also advised the government to pay greater and more serious attention to the scientific movement in the country.
"No nation would be able to fulfill its great national aspirations without scientific progress, and efforts should be made to speed up the country's scientific advancement through appropriate planning and by taking the necessary measures, especially by considerably increasing the research budget," the Leader remarked.
In conclusion, Ayatollah Khamenei told the audience that the strengthening of their ties with Almighty Allah will help them become more successful in performing their responsibilities. He also called on the members of the Cabinet to try to make the most of the blessings of the month of Sha'ban.
At the beginning of the meeting, President Ahmadinejad presented a report about the measures that have been taken by his government, including those that have been aimed at reforming the country's administrative and executive structures.
The president said that reforming the structure of the Management and Planning Organization and establishing a think-tank and a center for macro planning, vesting more authority in governor-generals and centralizing management in provinces, taking the preliminary steps toward reforming the structure of the banking system and promoting the spirit of economizing in society have been among the government's measures to reform the structures.
"The present government has also been very active in the sphere of foreign policy and relations with other counties; and with respect to the nuclear issue, thanks to the Iranian people's perseverance and insistence on their rights, the country has achieved the greatest historic victory," President Ahmadinejad told the audience.