Following are excerpts
from an interview with former Iranian MP
Emad Afrough, which aired on Channel 1 on January 15, 2012.
Emad
Afrough: The toxication of power, politics, and the economy has
led to a growing gap [between the regime and the people]. I sense danger.
If you ask me what the most important issue facing the country is, I
would say that it is the growing gap between officialdom and the public.
We are witnessing a gradual increase in the gap. The boiling, bustling
civil and social life is growing further from officialdom.
[...]
As I said, I am not criticizing
the legitimacy [of the regime]. I'd like to emphasize this. When you
asked about theo-democracy, I said it has two aspects: the democratic
and the religious aspects.
I defend this very strongly.
The rule must be in keeping with jurisprudence. I support this absolutely,
because God alone has authority over human beings. That being the case,
we should have a divine rule, laws, and precepts.
[...]
It is not necessary for
us to act without any restraint, and to rule without any consideration
for people's rights. Let's not forget that this is the ideology of Imam
[Khomeini] and of the Leader [Khamenei] himself. When we talk about
"theo-democracy," we are saying that the legality of the regime
depends upon two factors: the legitimacy of the rulers and their acceptance.
[...]
Imam Khomeini said that
if any of us wants to address questions to the leader, he has the right
to do so, and the leader should respond to him. If he cannot respond,
he is automatically dismissed.
We should fix the [entire]
mechanism, rather than placing further restrictions on a daily basis.
[...]
Imam Khomeini talked
about three kinds of politics: bestial politics, Satanic politics, and
divine and human politics. Bestial politics have to do with livelihood
and security needs. Satanic politics have to do with ploys and deceit.
As for divine and human politics - these are the politics that our prophets
followed. Imam Ali, followed them, Imam Khomeini followed them, and
the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Khamenei is following them.
But there must be guarantees.
A country cannot be governed by a single leader. A single person cannot
rule a country.
[...]
