The topmost priority should be to push them aside and take the seat yourself. In the same way that Iran does not extend its hands towards anyone in these past few years and has remained independent and both its women and men are resisting vis-a-vis America, the Soviet Union and vis-a-vis any transgressor. They are truly non-aligned; they neither have cultural dependence nor military dependence and nor any other dependence. However, if there is a place that says they do not have military dependence but have cultural dependence, in that case the cultural dependence if worse than military dependence, it is dependence not alignment…. If you do not want to be dependent, you must change from the grassroots; you must not align from the military aspect alone. You must be non-aligned and non-dependent in industry, culture and in all matters that are required by a country. If it becomes thus, then you are non-aligned and can stand on your own feet… I hope that the truly non-aligned reflect on this… so that they are able to do something for their own countries and for their oppressed nations.
May God grant all of you with health and prosperity. May he make all of we and you to become active in the path of serving the oppressed; in the path of serving the poor; in the path of imparting literacy; in the path of education; in the path of training and God willing you all be in the trust of God. [2]
May God's peace and mercy be upon you.
[1] Sahifeh, vol. 14, Page: 66 /Message, February 11, 1981
[2] Sahifeh, vol. 17, Page: 340-341 /Speech, March 13, 1983