Days of Turmoil; February 5, 1979 as Reported by Newspapers

On February 5, 1979, Kayhan reported in its main headline about a "severe struggle behind the scenes" and wrote that Ayatollah Khomeini would likely introduce the Prime Minister of the provisional government on this day. The newspaper further reported that some circles mentioned Engineer Bazargan as one of the most important candidates for the premiership. While according to Kayhan's reports, everything regarding the formation of the provisional government and the Revolutionary Council depended on Ayatollah Khomeini's afternoon interview, Ettela'at introduced Bazargan in its main headline as the "Prime Minister of the Revolutionary Government." Ettela'at also headlined Bakhtiar's statement that "the Islamic Republic is unknown to me" and "I have never heard of a Muslim waging jihad against another Muslim"; a reaction to Ayatollah Khomeini's threat of potentially declaring jihad against the government. Some of the reports from the two main newspapers in Iran on February 5, 1979 are as follows: * Severe struggle behind the scenes * Haj Seyyed Javadi was arrested * 200 former ministers and high-ranking officials were banned from leaving the country * Historic meeting * Bakhtiar: Whoever has the majority governs * American diplomats contacted Imam's associates * Imam's house in Qom is being prepared * Imam will announce important decisions today * The "Mansouroun" group claimed responsibility for the assassination of the Chief of Police in Kerman * Military occupation of several ministries * Shahrestani is not the mayor of Imam Khomeini * 8,000 Jews evacuated from Iran * Air insecurity in Iranian airspace * Possibility of indirect U.S. intervention in Iran * November 4 is Student Martyrs' Day * The Guardian: The Shah has been strongly advised to return to Iran. Kayhan on February 5 dedicated its main headline to the "severe struggle behind the scenes" and wrote that "a group of military personnel expressed loyalty to the Imam." The newspaper also reported that "several leaders are taking leave from their parties to participate in the provisional government and the Revolutionary Council." In another report, Kayhan quoted Prime Minister Shapur Bakhtiar stating that "some are negotiating on my behalf and on behalf of Ayatollah Khomeini." Bakhtiar also warned that "if a bloodbath occurs, a coup is possible" and emphasized that "whoever has the majority governs." One of Kayhan's other main headlines that day indicated that "the Imam is likely to introduce the head of the provisional government today." Kayhan, in its second print on February 5, reported based on announcement number 37 from the Tehran and suburbs military governorate that "Haj Seyyed Javadi was arrested for writing an article against the army." The newspaper published a photo of Ali-Asghar Haj Seyyed Javadi, stating that this "famous writer and leader of the political movement was arrested under Article 5 of the military commander law." The announcement, quoted from the military governor of Tehran and suburbs, Major General Mehdi Rahimi, clarified that "Mr. Ali-Asghar Haj Seyyed Javadi published an inflammatory and false article against the Imperial Army in the Ettela'at newspaper on February 4, 1979, thus he was arrested under Article 5 of the military governor law and it was ordered that his preliminary file be prepared for legal proceedings." * 200 former ministers and high-ranking officials were banned from leaving the country. Kayhan wrote, "Following the arrest of Houshang Nahavandi, former Minister of Science, Housing, and Abdul Majid Majidi, former Minister of Agricultural Production, Labor, and head of the Planning Organization in previous cabinets, the Pars news agency announced that Gholamreza Kianpour, former Minister of Information and Tourism and former Minister of Justice, was also arrested under Article 50 of the military government law." Kayhan added, "Our reporter reports that among the detainees are a group of ministers from the governments of Hoveyda, Amouzgar, Sharif-Emami, and Azari, as well as several managers from private sectors and government organizations that are administered commercially." According to Kayhan, "Today it was said that more than 200 members of previous cabinets, deputy ministers, and even a group of general managers are among those banned from leaving the country." * Historic meeting. Kayhan added, "Our reporter reports that among the detainees are a group of ministers from the governments of Hoveyda, Amouzgar, Sharif-Emami, and Azari, as well as several managers from private sectors and government organizations that are administered commercially." According to Kayhan, "Today it was said that more than 200 members of previous cabinets, deputy ministers, and even a group of general managers are among those banned from leaving the country." On February 5, Kayhan quoted the French news agency stating that a "historic meeting" between Imam Khomeini and Shapur Bakhtiar is imminent, with contacts having been made since Saturday night due to fears of a catastrophe threatening the country. The report adds that "Shapur Bakhtiar yesterday told representatives of the press that he wishes success for Engineer Mehdi Bazargan's efforts to arrange a meeting between him and Imam Khomeini." The report noted that "Bazargan is one of Imam's supporters and has previously been aligned with Bakhtiar." The report added, "However, Imam Khomeini in his first major press conference in Tehran said, 'If the government does not resign, I may be compelled to declare jihad,' but observers say that the Imam hopes it does not come to that." According to Kayhan, "A sign of calm in the situation is that demonstrations and gatherings have been allowed in Tehran for an indefinite period despite martial law." * Bakhtiar: Whoever has the majority governs. The report adds that "Shapur Bakhtiar yesterday told representatives of the press that he wishes success for Engineer Mehdi Bazargan's efforts to arrange a meeting between him and Imam Khomeini." The report noted that "Bazargan is one of Imam's supporters and has previously been aligned with Bakhtiar." The report added, "However, Imam Khomeini in his first major press conference in Tehran said, 'If the government does not resign, I may be compelled to declare jihad,' but observers say that the Imam hopes it does not come to that." According to Kayhan, "A sign of calm in the situation is that demonstrations and gatherings have been allowed in Tehran for an indefinite period despite martial law." Bakhtiar reflected on a "27-minute conversation" with Radio Tehran in which the Prime Minister stated, "I desire a regime in this country that is neither the dictatorial regime of the Shah nor similar to the republics of Libya or Pakistan." In this conversation, he expressed regret that "His Eminence Ayatollah Khomeini did not pay attention to the arguments, letters, and messages presented to him. His Eminence Ayatollah Khomeini does not have a personal quarrel with me; he has an opinion against the Pahlavi dynasty and Mohammad Reza Shah, and this matter does not concern me." Bakhtiar warned that "if due to provocations from selfishness or ignorance, God forbid, a bloodbath occurs, a coup is possible." In response to a question about the introduction of the government or the Revolutionary Council by Ayatollah Khomeini, he stated, "One Iran, one government. More than this is neither bearable for me nor for any Iranian." * American diplomats contacted Imam's associates. Kayhan reported that day, quoting "Time magazine," that "American diplomats have established contacts with several of Ayatollah Khomeini's associates in France and Iran." The report states that "William Sullivan, the U.S. ambassador in Tehran, advised his subordinates to establish dialogues with opposition leaders and associates of Ayatollah Khomeini." According to Kayhan, "Time writes that the contacts of American diplomats have been met with a warm reception from the Imam's associates, who emphasize that it is not too late to improve relations between the Shiite leader and America. Time adds that Mehdi Bazargan, one of Khomeini's close advisors, who is also an experienced politician, recently emphasized to American officials that establishing a working relationship with Washington is 'certainly feasible.'" * Imam's house in Qom is being prepared. Kayhan published a photo stating that "Imam's house - the residence of Ayatollah Khomeini in Qom is being renovated for his future stay." The newspaper continued, stating that "every day, groups from various social classes visit the Imam's residence. This house is located in one of the old alleys of Qom (Yakhchal Ghazi - No. 61) where Imam Khomeini resided before his exile." This report states that "William Sullivan, the U.S. ambassador in Tehran, advised his subordinates to establish dialogues with opposition leaders and associates of Ayatollah Khomeini." According to Kayhan, "Time writes that the contacts of American diplomats have been met with a warm reception from the Imam's associates, who emphasize that it is not too late to improve relations between the Shiite leader and America. Time adds that Mehdi Bazargan, one of Khomeini's close advisors, who is also an experienced politician, recently emphasized to American officials that establishing a working relationship with Washington is 'certainly feasible.'" Kayhan published a photo stating that "Imam's house - the residence of Ayatollah Khomeini in Qom is being renovated for his future stay." The newspaper continued, stating that "every day, groups from various social classes visit the Imam's residence. This house is located in one of the old alleys of Qom (Yakhchal Ghazi - No. 61) where Imam Khomeini resided before his exile." Kayhan reported in another article that "a flood of people is flowing to meet Imam Khomeini." This report adds, "Many groups of people visit His Eminence Ayatollah Khomeini at his temporary residence every day. Visits to His Eminence Ayatollah Khomeini are regularly held in the mornings for men and in the afternoons for women." * Imam will announce important decisions today. In another report on February 5, 1979, Kayhan wrote that "it was announced today that His Eminence Ayatollah Khomeini will announce important decisions in a press conference scheduled for 5 PM." Kayhan referred to Dr. Mofatteh's statements regarding this, in which it was stated that "in this conference, Imam Khomeini will read an important statement in which the aforementioned decisions will be announced." The report adds: "Other circles told Kayhan that it is highly likely that the head of the transitional government and the names of the members of the Revolutionary Council will be announced in this conference." According to this newspaper, "These circles mention Engineer Bazargan as one of the most important candidates for the premiership. Also, some others talk about Sanjabi as an appointed Prime Minister." According to Kayhan, "Different names are heard regarding the members of the Revolutionary Council. Ayatollah Taleghani and Ayatollah Khomeini are also mentioned as potential members."