Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi - October 2, 2000 - Political Context of Reformists and its Intensification through Ayatollah Montazeri's Interview

• Key Events: Meeting with Seyed Hossein Mousavian discussing electoral strategies, negative views on Khatami's re-election, and a new message from the U.S. to Iran. Consultations with economists and diplomats about various political issues.

Full Diary Entry:

Mr. [Seyed Hossein] Mousavian, former ambassador of Iran to Germany and deputy secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, visited. Regarding the upcoming presidential election, he stated that it would not be wise for Mr. [Seyed Mohammad] Khatami to be re-elected, suggesting that a candidate aligned with the leadership, preferably Dr. [Hassan] Rouhani, would be better. He mentioned that he had clearly told Khatami that I had been more explicit and deeper in my reformist approach while simultaneously engaging in development, indicating that it is not prudent for him to run in the [2001 presidential election]. He reported a new message from the U.S., suggesting cooperation in combating drug trafficking and oil smuggling from Iraq, as well as assistance regarding the drought, and expressing a desire for direct negotiations. They are currently preparing a response in the Supreme National Security Council.

Dr. [Seyed Mohammad] Tabibian, an economics professor, came to discuss the situation. He claimed that poverty has worsened under Khatami's administration, even though it had decreased during my time. He noted that the left lacks a program or solution to rescue the country's economy, despite improvements in currency conditions. He proposed the emergence of a moderate and centrist force and advocated for a realistically minded candidate. He analyzed that in areas dissatisfied with the regime, such as among Sunnis or non-Persians, there is a higher tendency to vote for Khatami.

Mr. [Hossein] Panahi-Azar, our new ambassador to the Netherlands, arrived to discuss his upcoming work, including dealing with the Hague Tribunal and the International Criminal Court that is to be established in the Netherlands. He mentioned that the Netherlands has currently reduced its hostility toward Iran. Previously, he had served as our ambassador in Sweden.

In the evening, Mr. [Morteza] Safari Natanz, the new ambassador to Kazakhstan, came for consultations regarding embassy matters. He expressed a desire to leverage my good relationship with [Nursultan] Nazarbayev [the President of Kazakhstan] to enhance and develop bilateral relations, noting that he had previously served as our ambassador in Hungary.

[Mr. Ahmad] Al-Hassan, the Syrian ambassador, came to bid farewell, during which we discussed [Hafez] Assad [the late President of Syria]. He mentioned recent clashes in Palestine, which have resulted in 22 martyrs and 700 injured among Arabs, and noted that some Christians in Lebanon oppose the Syrian presence, with U.S. provocation. I suggested that Bashar Assad, [the President of Syria], should take an active role concerning the recent developments in Palestine.

An interview with Ayatollah Montazeri published in the Emirati newspaper Al-Bayan has criticized the leadership. He has recently become more openly oppositional. The fervent circles of the Second of Khordad Movement have increasingly protested against Mr. [Seyed Mohammad] Khatami, questioning why he is not fulfilling his promises and is retreating. Today, Mr. [Abbas] Abdi [journalist] mentioned at the university that there are secretive practices.