MASHHAD, Khorasan Prov. -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said here on Wednesday that military, economic, political and ideological security was one of the most important issues of the country. Addressing tens of thousands of the rank and file of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and Basijis (volunteer forces) in this northeastern Iranian city, the Leader thanked these forces for their great services in establishing and maintaining security in the country.

Following the victory of the Islamic Revolution, the Iranian nation prepared itself to make good on the past backwardness and reach self-sufficiency in the field of science and industry, and make progress in financial and spiritual affairs, the Leader said. At that time the enemy started hurling obstacles on the way of the Iranian nation and in its first step it stirred up insecurity, said the Leader, adding that the enemy made Iranian borders both on the north and the south insecure by provoking ethnic problems and doing mischief but the devoted and young Basij forces of Iran managed to root out causes of insecurity.

The leader said that imposition of a full-fledged eight-year war (1980-88) on the Iranian nation was one of the most devastating kind of such insecurities. One of the undeniable realities of the Iraqi imposed war was that the U.S., the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and many Arab states put all their facilities at the disposal of (Iraqi president) Saddam (Hussein) including electronic, weaponry, financial and training assistance.

But now, enemies of the Islamic Revolution have launched drastic and strong political and propaganda campaign to deny and cover up such vivid and undeniable realities, said the Leader. Leader termed as ``unwise and treacherous`` the efforts launched by certain individuals to deny the damage inflicted on Iranian nation by the United States. The idea that the time is over for instigating insecurity is not right, said the Leader, cautioning that the enemies of Islam wherever and whenever they can, would impose insecurity on the Iranian nation such as what occurred in July, Ayatollah Khamenei said.

They started intimidating and fanning insecurity at streets of Tehran under a small pretext. Therefore, enemy is not disappointed at stirring up insecurity, the Leader said. Denial of the existence, necessity and importance of faithful individuals would be an unwise and treacherous act because existence of these forces, who can bring about security for the nation and for any constructive activity is vital like water and weather.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the Leader hailed the Basijis as important and strong backbone of country's security and said denial of the Basij means denial of the prime necessity and interest of the country. The Iranian nation needs security forever so the need of the country for Basiji forces, motivation, mobilization and Basij-like love and faith, is a permanent necessity, said Ayatollah Khamenei, adding that disrespect for Basij is an unwise or treacherous act.

The Leader underlined the need for and importance of economic security in the country and said economic security is required to make any economic efforts and activity possible to the effect that those willing to make investment and doing agricultural, industrial activities based on laws and regulations would be allowed to enter into the scene of economic activities and enjoy full security.

Ayatollah Khamenei voiced support for agreement reached between the judicial and executive branches of government to provide economic security. One should not at all think that establishment of economic security means opening the road for economic opportunists and leech-like individuals or ignoring of the country's sound laws and regulations. Elaborating on political security, the leader said that political security means that political thoughts and sciences should be raised free from ambiguity and double-standard and those responsible for raising political issues and writing and publishing intellectual items should observe honesty, should not lie and deceive the people, should not play any trick or add poison to a food which looks sweet.

Those fanning political and intellectual insecurity in society can be compared with gangs and bandits, said the Leader. Ayatollah Khamenei said the writers denying the 20-year long efforts and struggles of the Iranian nation against bullying and plundering powers, justifying wishes of enemy statesmen and policy makers in pleasant forms to people are really imposing political and intellectual insecurity on the society.

Therefore, their deeds are as bad as that of the notorious bandits and gangs and might be at times even more dangerous, warned the Leader. Ayatollah Khamenei said that freedom of thought, pen and expression in its sound form is essential for the Islamic community. ''I believe that various thoughts, ideas and preferences should be raised in the country. Therefore, no one can deny the fact that I am for freedom of thought and expression, freedom of pen and freedom of raising different opinions in the country.

But as for the press, I cannot accept some of them trying to divert or mislead public opinion and distort realities by writing false things,'' said the Leader. Turning to certain segment of the press into a mouthpiece for radios of Israel and the U.S. is intolerable, said the Leader, adding that publication of 200 dailies instead of 20 is not something bad but one cannot accept that some are using public fund and facilities against national interest by writing false and wrong things.

Denial of Islamic rules is another category which is responsible for instigation of social insecurity, said the Leader, adding that anyone, denying religion, including its penal codes, is apostate and the sentence against an apostate in Islam is clear. The Leader said that everything should take its course according to the Iranian nation's will, demand and faith. Those thinking that under backing of arrogant propaganda tools and Zionist propaganda networks, they can promote their sinister goals in the country, are making a serious mistake and such a thing is impossible.

Ayatollah Khamenei said this country (Iran) is a land of Islam and the nation stood up for elevation of Islam, therefore domination of the will of enemy as well as its intelligence and political lackeys on the Iranian nation is impossible. Enemy will never stop its disinformation campaign but the Iranian nation from various walks of life should vigilantly continue treading the path of the Islamic unity and construction, consolidate the country's independence bases, expedite spiritual purification and tread the path of Islam wisely, bravely and prudently, the Leader concluded.