Did Khomeini promote child abuse?

I recently had a conversation with an ex-Muslim Iranian who was discussing Islam and paedophilia. I was particularly concerned about his claims regarding the practice of �thighing� and an alleged Fatwa by the Ayatollah Khomeini.

I found this on Wikipedia. (I know this is not 100% reliable)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_and_children

Khomeini's view

"A man can marry a girl younger than nine years of age, even if the girl is still a baby being breastfed. A man, however is prohibited from having intercourse with a girl younger than nine, while other sexual acts such as foreplay, rubbing, and kissing are allowed. A man having intercourse with a girl younger than nine years of age has not committed a crime, but only an infraction, if the girl is not permanently damaged. If the girl, however, is permanently damaged, the man must provide for her all her life. But this girl will not count as one of the man's four permanent wives. He also is not permitted to marry the girl's sister."[34][35]

Khomeini specifically described an act known as thighing that allowed an adult male to simulate sex with a female child without penetration:

"Thighing is a means for an adult male to enjoy a young girl who is still in the age of weaning; meaning to place his penis between her thighs, and to kiss her."[36]

I can�t believe this is true. Is it?

islamispeace wrote: Khomeini does not represent orthodox Islamic views.  The Shia account for less than 10% of the Islamic world.  It is interesting that he says that a man can marry a baby which is being breastfed, and yet the Prophet (pbuh) said that a marriage can only be performed between two consenting individuals.  Furthermore, the girl to be wed must have the choice in choosing the man she wants to marry.  She cannot be forced.  How can a baby which is still being breastfed consent to a marriage?  How can her consent be confirmed?  The answer is that she cannot.  Therefore, Khomeini's claims stand refuted.  Muslims follow Allah (swt) and His Messenger, not Ayatollah Khomeini.

Thank you islamispeace. I�d like to assure you that I did not believe for one moment that such practices were sanctioned by mainstream Islamic view.

I was mainly interested to know if anyone had information about whether the quote attributed to Khomeini was genuine. Or was it a malicious lie to discredit him?

Has anyone here heard of this quote before?