Imam in a historic message appreciated the French government for providing a suitable environment for freedom of expression and extended his thanks for the nation for warmth sociability and hospitability.
Imam also sought an apology from local residents for any possible inconvenience he had caused for local residents during his stay in Neauphle-le-Chateau.
It is worthy to mention that Imam had conducted several interviews with international media during his stay in France and addressed gatherings of supporters. The ways leading to Imam’s residence in France often become crowded due to arrival of reporters and Imam’s supporters.
The founder of the Islamic revolution spent more than 14 years in exile, mostly in the Iraqi holy city of Najaf. Imam Khomeini also spent some time in Turkey and France, before his return to Iran.
Imam issued the message before his historic return to Iran on February 1, 1979 to Iranian capital Tehran.
The text of Imam’s historic message comes as following:
Message
Date: January 31, 1979 [Bahman 11, 1357 AHS/ Rabi` al-Awwal 2, 1399 AH [
Place: Neauphle-le-Chateau, Paris, France
Subject: Gratitude to the French nation and government
Occasion: Imam Khomeini's departure from Paris to go to Tehran
Addressees: The French nation and government
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
At this moment in time, after four eventful months of residence in France, I am leaving this place to serve my country. I feel it necessary to thank the French government, which has provided me with the security measures and the means for freedom of speech, and also the respectable local people who, with their humanitarian sense, have expressed their enthusiasm for the freedom and independence of Iran. I hope I will never forget the hospitality of the French nation and government and their freedom-loving sense. I would like to extend my apology to the neighbors and the local people of Neauphle-le-Chateau for all the inconvenience I have caused them. I hope they will approve of the esteem in which I hold them.
Rouhullah al-Mousawi al-Khomeini
Rabi` al-Awwal 2, 1399 AH
Sahifeh ye-Imam, vol 6, Page: 7