Memories of Akbar Hashemi - October 3, 2000 - Continued Controversies Surrounding Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi's Critical Letter to the Sixth Majlis

• Meeting with Mohammad Mahdi Masbahi, Executive of the Mahdiyeh Residential Complex in Qom
• Meeting with Seyyed Ahmad Mousavi Regarding Agreement with Hezbollah Lebanon
• Meeting with Khaled Mashal, Mousa Abu Marzook, and Ibrahim Ghousheh, Hamas Leaders
• Follow-up on Abdulhamid Bagheri Benabi's Meeting with the Minister of Agriculture Regarding Importing Foreign Tea
• Meeting with the Youth Branch of the Kargozaran Sazandegi Party in Yazd
• Surprising No-Confidence Vote in the Sixth Reformist Majlis Against Nasrollah Jahangard, Proposed Minister of Posts, Telegraphs, and Telephones

Full Text of the Daily Note:

Mr. [Mohammad Mahdi] Masbahi, the manager of the Mahdiyeh residential complex in Qom, visited. He mentioned that they would deliver 250 houses this year and requested more assistance from the government. He also said that the authorities were being strict about a case against him; they had exchanged iron obtained from the Ministry of Mines and Metals with a different type.

Mr. Ahmad Mousavi from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs came and reported that, under the Supreme Leader's directive, they had reached an understanding and settled accounts with Hezbollah Lebanon. He expressed dissatisfaction with Mr. [Kamāl] Kharrazi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Mr. Khaled Mashal, [Mousa] Abu Marzook, and Ibrahim Ghousheh, leaders of Hamas, also came by after being exiled from Jordan to Qatar. They detailed the events of the Palestinian Intifada, which began with [Ariel] Sharon's visit to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, leading to protests from Muslims and subsequent clashes with Israeli soldiers. They reported 56 martyrs and around 100 injured so far. They noted that Israel wants to assert its stance regarding Al-Aqsa Mosque and Jerusalem. For the first time, a government official visited the mosque, which has become a flashpoint for conflict, demonstrating the strong Islamic spirit in Palestine and how the mosque serves as a rallying point for Muslims. I explained the messages of this Intifada and promised to provide assistance. They requested that Iran take the lead in mobilizing other countries.

In the evening, I officiated at the marriage of my office staff's relatives. Mr. [Abdulhamid] Bagheri Benabi informed me that he did not get results from his meeting with Dr. [Ebrahim] Kalantari, the Minister of Agriculture, regarding assistance for the import permit for foreign tea. A group of young members from the Kargozaran Sazandegi Party in Yazd visited, seeking guidance and asking questions. [Nasrollah Jahangard], the proposed minister for posts, telegraphs, and telephones from Mr. [Seyyed Mohammad] Khatami's cabinet, did not receive a vote of confidence in the Majlis. This surprised those who thought the Majlis was under Mr. Khatami's control, as internal disagreements within the second Khordad Front led to the no-confidence vote.

Discussions regarding Ayatollah [Nasser] Makarem Shirazi's letter to the Majlis continue. Mr. [Mahdi] Karroubi's comments are likened to reactions regarding the Supreme Leader's decree. The leftist factions in the Majlis are upset, viewing it as a weakening factor, and foreigners have interpreted it similarly. Last night and tonight, we had some rain, which is a relief amidst this drought.