Akbar Hashemi's memoirs - 1999 October 2 - The media's attention to the leadership's statements about supporting Mr. Khatami and blaming some opponents

The attention of the media to the statements of the leadership regarding the support of Mr. Khatami and the blame of some opponents, an important example of which is [the community] of the militant clergy.

The Infrastructure Commission had a meeting. We have completed the shipping policies. Mr. [Bijan Namdar] Zanganeh, [Oil Minister] came and reported on the OPEC meeting and his trip to Saudi Arabia. Despite the agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia on the Secretary General of OPEC, with the opposition of Iraq and some other countries including the United Arab Emirates, this agreement remained fruitless and the representative of Nigeria was extended as Secretary General for another six months. Saudi Arabia considers the UAE to be the cause of sedition.

In the evening, Mr. Sadaqat [Zadeh], the son-in-law of Ahmad's brother, came and said that he wanted to go from the construction department to the agriculture department. Mr. Amir Iraqi [son of Martyr Mahdi Iraqi] came. He consulted and consulted for the completion of Taleghan University and said that he is trying to get the Iraqi martyr out of the monopoly [spectrum] of the coalition.

Dr. [Abdullah] Jasbi, [President of Islamic Azad University] came. He explained about the work of Azad University and his political programs by forming groups and then the front. Representatives of 70 student bodies of Islamic Azad Universities came and gave a report. I also spoke in detail and gave reminders about their activities and emphasized studying, intellectual independence, seeking God, etc.

At night, the wives of the ministers and my former deputies were guests of Eft in my office. In the media, more attention was paid to the leadership's statements yesterday; Especially when it comes to supporting Mr. Khatami and blaming some of the opposition, the important example of which is [the community of] militant clergy, and the left media are making good use of it. [Radio] BBC expresses the weakness of the leadership, and the withdrawal after the university riots and the announcement that Dr. [Hasan] Rouhani and I were not aware of the [Combatant Clergy Society's] announcement increases the pressure.

The war in Chechnya continues today and the armed resistance of the Chechens against the Russian army has started.