On the 15th Plenum of
the Central Committee
Interview with Koorosh Modaresi
The Central Committee's 15th plenum took place during 15 to
17 March 2002. What was discussed at the plenum?
Koorosh Modaresi: As was announced in the WPI's official communiqué,
the plenum initially discussed the election of new advisors to the
Central Committee. The 14th plenum had decided to increase the number
of advisors to 40; consequently 21 new advisors had to be elected
and a commission was chosen to do this. The commission put forth a
list of candidates to the vote of the Central Committee; its results
were reported to and verified by the 15th plenum. Consequently, the
number of Central Committee members and advisors now stands at 71.
The next item for discussion was the report on Mansoor Hekmat's medical
condition. After this, the Standing Committee, the Party's standing
leadership, reported on the Party's activities during two plenums.
Following this, the plenum discussed in detail and at length the Party's
leadership during the period in which Mansoor Hekmat is unable to
play an active role. The proposed Civil Rights Committee was then
discussed. The next item of discussion was the situation of the Islamic
Republic of Iran, opposition forces and the WPI's role, which was
basically about the process of the overthrow of the Islamic Republic,
various alternatives, the Party's position and the importance of people
joining our ranks. Finally, as in all plenums, the Chair of the Central
Committee and a Political Bureau were elected. In the Political Bureau's
meeting which took place immediately after the plenum, the Chair of
the Political Bureau and the members of the WPI's Standing Committee,
that is the leadership of the Party, were elected.
You talked about Mansoor Hekmat's illness. After the Party's press
releases on this, many have called both from Iran and abroad to inquire
about his health. What can you tell us about this?
Koorosh Modaresi: First, I must sincerely thank all those from Iran
and abroad, supporters of the Party and Mansoor Hekmat who have constantly
inquired about his health via e-mail, telephone, letters and messages.
On behalf of the Party, I would like to thank all these dear friends.
Mansoor Hekmat has cancer, a dangerous and difficult illness. We
have tried to ensure that he receives the best available medical treatment
possible. He is currently being treated; as those familiar with this
illness know, however, its results are unfortunately not promptly
known. The treatment itself takes some time, and after the completion
of this round of treatment, exact medical tests will be run to determine
the results. The treatment has been going on for several weeks now
and the doctors are generally hopeful of the results. We have no choice
but to wait for a few more months for the actual results, however,
in order to see how much we can really rely on these hopes. What is
clear is that the treatment is continuing and we too, like our dear
friends who have inquired about Mansoor Hekmat's health, are awaiting
the results. It is difficult but there is no other way. We must wait.
This was the first Central Committee plenum in which Mansoor Hekmat
was absent. How did the Central Committee deal with this absence and
what was the general atmosphere of the meeting?
Koorosh Modaresi: Irrespective of the fact that this was the first
and only plenum that Mansoor Hekmat did not participate in, his role
in our Party is not unknown. Mansoor Hekmat has been and is the backbone,
eyes and brains of this Party. Mansoor Hekmat's role and position
not only in this Party but also in the communist movement and politics
of Iran are not hidden from anyone. Naturally, in such a plenum and
for those who have worked with him closely and for many years and
have tried to participate in projects and objectives that he has initiated,
his absence and especially his illness was a serious strain. In my
opinion, the plenum had two aspects. On the one hand, it was an environment
of deep affection for Mansoor Hekmat, a conscious atmosphere in recognising
and appreciating his role and hoping that he will be able to continue
this role. By appreciating, I don't only mean having gratitude but
recognising and knowing what issues face the Party. On the other hand,
in my opinion, the plenum confidently, bravely and profoundly dealt
with the dimensions of new issues facing the Party, its leadership
and the communist movement and the forthcoming revolution in Iran
in general in the absence of Mansoor Hekmat. The plenum discussed
this in detail; practically all the participants of the plenum, including
an 8 person delegation from the Worker Communist Party of Iraq, took
part in this discussion. The plenum looked at the difficulties facing
the Party, its leadership, the communist movement and the revolution
in Iran in a professional and brave manner and tried to find solutions
to the difficulties which are not hidden from anyone. It is not possible
to fill Mansoor Hekmat's place in this Party but the plenum tried
to focus on and set into motion activities and functions, which are
to be objectively fulfilled for the Party to achieve the objectives
that Mansoor Hekmat has placed before this Party and with the speed
with which he had in mind. The plenum discussed and debated the Party's
problems, resources and potential in detail. It also discussed the
leadership's shortcomings and potential.