Days of Turmoil; February 7, 1979 as Reported by Newspapers

On the 19th of Bahman 57 (February 7, 1979), two main topics dominated the front pages of Kayhan and Ettela'at newspapers: the meeting of air force personnel with Ayatollah Khomeini and a rally in support of Mehdi Bazargan. Kayhan described this rally as 'the largest demonstration across the country,' stating 'millions of people told Bazargan: yes.' This newspaper featured photos of the rally and the meeting of air force personnel with Ayatollah Khomeini on its front page, with the headline 'Thousands of military personnel marched before the Imam today.' Ettela'at also characterized the rally in Tehran and other cities as 'a vote of confidence from the people for Bazargan,' noting that 'the rally of millions of Iranians made history today.' The front page of Ettela'at on February 19, 1979, indicated that Libya had recognized Bazargan's government. Some reports from Kayhan and Ettela'at on this day include: 'Only contracts approved by the provisional government are valid,' 'Air force personnel at Imam Khomeini's home,' 'Bakhtiar: Bazargan and I can reach an agreement,' 'Bakhtiar: I will arrest the ministers of the provisional cabinet,' 'Coup against Bakhtiar and Bazargan denied,' 'Ministers of Bazargan's cabinet will not be introduced tomorrow,' 'Bazargan is aware of the dangers from armed forces and two governments,' 'The army should not interfere in politics,' 'The Shah should be tried in absentia,' and 'Ardeshir Zahedi will remain at the Iranian embassy for another 9 days.' The titles and contents of these newspapers have been preserved in their original writing style. On February 19, 1979, Ettela'at reported a resolution from a rally on the same day, addressing the demands and expectations of the demonstrators in seven points. This resolution praised Ayatollah Khomeini's selection of Mehdi Bazargan as the head of the provisional government and called on 'all security forces of the army, gendarmerie, and police' to promptly declare their obedience to Engineer Bazargan and his government, which is recognized by the nation. A similar request was made for government employees. The demonstrators also urged the representatives of the council and senate who entered the assemblies through 'sham elections' to resign from their positions. In the final clause of this resolution, it was announced to 'the governments of the world' that from this day forward, only 'contracts and agreements recognized by the Iranian nation are legally valid if approved by the provisional government recognized by the nation.' On this day, Ettela'at wrote that a group of air force personnel and air force staff 'in civilian clothes' went to Ayatollah Khomeini's home to 'declare their solidarity with the Iranian people's revolution led by Imam Khomeini.' Despite the rally on this day, it was noted that Thursday was one of the calmest days since Ayatollah Khomeini's return to Iran. Ettela'at reported that when the air force personnel visited Ayatollah Khomeini early Thursday morning, his home was almost empty as all residents and close relatives had gone to the streets to participate in the rally. Ayatollah Khomeini addressed the visitors from his window, indicating that they had chosen 'the Quran' instead of 'the tyrant' and expressed hope that with the help of these military personnel, he could establish 'an Islamic government of justice.' The air force personnel also expressed their objections to the 'presence of American military personnel' in Iran. In a press interview, Shapur Bakhtiar stated that contacts had been established between him and Mehdi Bazargan, explaining that he was in telephone contact with those who are very close to Bazargan. Mr. Bakhtiar also stated that since he has 'great respect' for Mehdi Bazargan, he is willing to cooperate with him and has no conditions for discussions with Bazargan. Shapur Bakhtiar mentioned that he would implement the 'proposed revolutionary program' and added that 'the Ayatollah has said he intends to establish a purely Islamic government free from American dominance and other foreign pressures; how could my government be anything but that?' He referred to exiting CENTO and 'being a non-aligned government.' The Prime Minister of Iran also confirmed the earlier holding of a referendum but reiterated that he 'cannot recognize the existence of a provisional government.' Shapur Bakhtiar stated, 'My misfortune is that I have defended the law,' adding, 'I respect the people's vote, but the people must vote in a democratic environment, not in an atmosphere of oppression and terror. Bringing people to the streets is another matter.' According to Mr. Bakhtiar, since everything is closed, 'participation in this demonstration has become a kind of entertainment.' In this interview, Mr. Bakhtiar referred to fulfilling all the demands of the protesters, including the departure of the Shah and the release of political prisoners, saying, 'Now it is a matter of personal grudges and settling private accounts.' He added, 'I will remain and fight, even if I become a victim of the dictatorship and oppression on the other side.' At the end of this report, Shapur Bakhtiar was quoted as saying, 'I am willing for them to go to Qom and establish a Vatican; I will build a wall around Qom for them.' On the same day, Kayhan reported that 'Bazargan is negotiating with Bakhtiar and the army.' According to this newspaper, 'well-informed sources said that today, following the massive rally of Bazargan's supporters, a meeting will take place between Bakhtiar and Bazargan, with the highest military officials also participating.' Kayhan noted, 'This is the first time the army has directly participated in political negotiations.' In another report, Ettela'at reflected some of Shapur Bakhtiar's comments about the new cabinet in an interview with the French newspaper Le Monde, in which he threatened that 'any member of Ayatollah Khomeini's provisional government who attempts to enter the ministries will be arrested by his order.' The report also mentioned that at the end of this month, salaries would not be paid to the strikers. Mr. Bakhtiar also rejected the 'antiquated leadership of the Shia leader of Iran who seeks to establish an Islamic republic in the country.' In this report, it was also mentioned that at the end of this month, salaries would not be paid to the strikers. Mr. Bakhtiar also rejected the 'antiquated leadership of the Shia leader of Iran who seeks to establish an Islamic republic in the country.' The Prime Minister also accused 'communists and former SAVAK agents' of instigating strikes and stated that to prevent famine, 'if necessary, we will break some strikes by force.' Shapur Bakhtiar also claimed that 'neither the army nor the intellectual class supports Ayatollah Khomeini, and the intellectual class does not dare to express an opinion,' asserting that he is 'free and independent, but Bazargan is not.' Meanwhile, Kayhan reported that 'employees of 11 ministries only obey the Bazargan government.' Kayhan reported that 'employees of eleven ministries and many government institutions announced their support for Engineer Mehdi Bazargan, the interim Prime Minister, in the past 48 hours.' Kayhan noted, 'Support for Engineer Bazargan increased simultaneously with the announcement that he would present his government's programs at Tehran University on Friday (tomorrow).' Bakhtiar also claimed that 'neither the army nor the intellectual class supports Ayatollah Khomeini, and the intellectual class does not dare to express an opinion,' asserting that he is 'free and independent, but Bazargan is not.' Meanwhile, Kayhan reported that 'employees of 11 ministries only obey the Bazargan government.' Kayhan reported that 'employees of eleven ministries and many government institutions announced their support for Engineer Mehdi Bazargan, the interim Prime Minister, in the past 48 hours.' Kayhan noted, 'Support for Engineer Bazargan increased simultaneously with the announcement that he would present his government's programs at Tehran University on Friday (tomorrow).' The coup against Bakhtiar and Bazargan was denied. Mehdi Bazargan, who met with a group of 'old and national figures,' stated that 'after receiving the nation's approval,' he would announce his program, as according to Mosaddegh, 'the parliament is where the nation is.' Ettela'at reported from Bazargan's office that 'no official letter or statement has yet reached the office,' but he stated that 'some countries have expressed a desire to recognize Bazargan's government.' The report also quoted two spokespeople from the White House and the U.S. State Department stating that the U.S. 'will support the government that is backed by the Iranian nation' and 'has begun contact with Bazargan's government.' Ettela'at also wrote that the rumor of a coup by 'General Badrei, commander of the ground forces,' was denied by Bazargan's provisional government. The rumor of a coup against Bakhtiar was also denied in this report, and Bazargan's office stated, 'The army supports Bakhtiar; there is no need for a coup.' Tomorrow, the ministers of Bazargan's cabinet will not be introduced. In another brief report, Kayhan wrote, 'Today, it was announced that contrary to expectations, the ministers of Engineer Bazargan's revolutionary provisional cabinet will not be introduced in his speech tomorrow at Tehran University.' This report reminded that 'at eleven o'clock tomorrow, Engineer Bazargan will deliver a speech.'