Interior Minister Mostafa Pourmohammadi and governor-generals of various Iranian provinces called on the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei on Monday, February 27.
Speaking at the meeting, the Leader referred to governor-generals as government officials with greatest executive power in provinces who have the final word on all provincial affairs. He stated that governor-generals are expected to make every effort to serve the people and fulfill public expectations.
Ayatollah Khamenei hinted at the fact that the slogans and plans of the new government and the cordial relations between President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the people have raised public morale and imbued the Iranians with hopes and optimism.
"The ground is now prepared for offering services to the people, and governor-generals should do their utmost to achieve public satisfaction and never get tired of working for the people," Ayatollah Khamenei told the audience.
The Leader emphasized that the responsibility for progress or lack of progress of different executive affairs in provinces lies with governor-generals, and that they should utilize all the existing facilities and capabilities to accelerate the progress of various provincial affairs. He also noted that governor-generals should try to carry out their duties and serve the public in a sincere and humble manner.
Further in his statements, Ayatollah Khamenei described the provincial tours of President Ahmadinejad and his Cabinet and their close contact with the public as a very appropriate and influential measure.
"There should be a balance between fulfilling the people's immediate needs and performing long-term plans and projects. In other words, the people's current problems and immediate requirements should not be ignored on the pretext of engagement in long-term plans and projects, as was the case under some previous administrations" Ayatollah Khamenei advised governor-generals.
The Leader of the Islamic Republic also underlined the need for self-observation and self-discipline. He called on the audience to utilize dedicated and competent workforce and act within the framework of the country's 20-Year Perspective Document and the five-year development plan.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Ayatollah Khamenei told the governor-generals of different provinces to concentrate on their duty to serve the public and not be daunted by the enemies. He stated that as long as the Iranian people persevere in attaining the objectives and ideals of the Islamic system, the enemies will not succeed.
The Leader referred to the fact that because of the conflict between principles of the Islamic system and illegitimate demands of hegemonic powers, the Islamic Republic of Iran has constantly been facing expected challenges over the past 27 years.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran has been established based on the principles of promoting religious and spiritual values, global justice, having regard for all human beings and standing against the bullying and domination of hegemonic powers. Therefore, the confrontation between our Islamic system and world bullies is going to continue until they give up in despair," the Leader pointed out.
He also stated, "In their confrontation with the Islamic Republic, hegemonic powers, specially the United States, are trying to foment division and insecurity in our country, halt our country's scientific progress, block our government's campaign to serve the public, make our officials preoccupied with futile political and factional disputes, divest the Iranian people of their hopes and vitality and weaken their trust in the slogans and ideals of the Islamic system. Therefore, while drawing up plans and determining priorities among various national and provincial issues, necessary action should also be taken to thwart hegemonic powers in their goals and objectives."
Further in his statements, Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out that scientific power is the secret of the political progress, military strength and high morale of any nation. He stated that the scientific campaign which has been launched in the country and which has so far yielded remarkable results should be stepped up and accelerated.
Touching on the present situation in Iraq, the Leader of the Islamic Republic made it clear that the United States is seeking to foment conflict and insecurity in that country with the intention of portraying the Iraqi popular government as incompetent.
"The United States is trying to give rise to an ethnic and religious war in Iraq, and the tragic incident in Samarra was an instance of such attempts made by the United States," the Leader told the gathering.
Ayatollah Khamenei noted that the outrageous affront of some Western publications to the Holy Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him and his infallible household) and the tragic incident in Samarra are identical in nature.
"By provoking Muslims, they intended to further their own goals and objectives. But they suffered defeat, since the offensive cartoons imbued the Islamic world with a deep hatred of arrogant powers. The tragic incident in Samarra also led to the strengthening of unity between the Shias and Sunnis in Iraq and in many other parts of the Islamic world," Ayatollah Khamenei remarked.
Referring to the vigilance and awareness of Muslim nations and the need for boosting this awareness and further informing Muslims of the plots hatched by the enemies, the Leader stated, "Today, the Iraqi government is an indication of the failure of U.S. Middle East policies. The fact of the matter is that the United States intended to establish a pro-U.S. government in Iraq, but now an Islamist government adhering to the senior Ulema has been formed in that country."
Ayatollah Khamenei noted that U.S. politicians are trying to disrupt and interfere with the activities of the Iraqi government. But he stressed that U.S. plots will be foiled through the vigilance of the Iraqi people and their government officials.
Before the Leader's statements, Interior Minister Mostafa Pourmohammadi presented a report on the services rendered by his ministry in various fields, including those related to municipalities, councils, construction projects and emergencies.
The interior minister also said that his ministry has conducted comprehensive studies about several issues such as amendment to the election law, ethnic issues, the country's administrative divisions, border security, reducing social abnormalities, the lowering of state control over municipal affairs, city transportation and population control.
Pourmohammadi added that the Interior Ministry has implemented some plans with regard to some of the above issues and is drawing up plans concerning other issues.