Akbar Hashemi's Memoirs - March 5, 2000 - Night Report by Yasser Hashemi, Mohammad Lahouti, and Hassan Maadi Khah on the Recounting of Tehran’s Ballot Boxes

Complaints from Issa Kalantari, then Minister of Agriculture, regarding the actions of the Reformist government.
Criticisms by Abbas Maleki on the international relations of the government and the management of the Leader’s office.
Continued consultations with Ali Larijani.
Interview with Hokumat-e Islami magazine.
Phone report from Kamal Kharrazi, then Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Night report by Yasser Hashemi, Mohammad Lahouti, and Hassan Maadi Khah on the recounting of Tehran’s ballot boxes.

[Mr. Issa Kalantari], the Minister of Agriculture, came. He had many complaints about the government’s disregard for economic and agricultural issues. He mentioned that during the inauguration of the sugarcane factory in Ahvaz, in the presence of Mr. Khatami, [the President], he spoke about my pivotal role in the sugarcane project, and Mr. Khatami reacted in his speech. He expressed concern about the future of the country’s economy, and said that some believe the West agreed to raise oil prices to support the Reformists; but he doubted it.

Mr. Abbas Maleki, [from the office of the Leader’s advisor on international affairs], came. He explained the coordination between Western—European and American—forces and some leftist and nationalist elements aimed at weakening the Islamic system, citing the Belgian judge’s action as an example. He also criticized the mismanagement of the Leader’s office.

Mr. Ali Larijani, [Head of IRIB], came and reported on yesterday’s Supreme National Security Council meeting regarding the statement against Belgium and the decision to shut down Aria newspaper. He emphasized the need to control the press and the necessity of the Leader’s firm stance.

In the afternoon, I had an interview with Hokumat-e Islami magazine. Mr. [Mohammad] Soroush and Mr. [Seyed Zia] Mortezaei asked questions. Since last night, various organizations and figures have been issuing statements in support of me and condemning the Belgian government, creating a noticeable wave. Mr. [Kamal] Kharrazi, [the Minister of Foreign Affairs], called to report on the actions taken and mentioned that today [Lamberto Dini], the Italian Foreign Minister, also spoke against Belgium during his interview and meeting with Mr. Khatami.

So far, statements from the Supreme National Security Council, the President, the Speaker of Parliament, the Chief Justice, 187 MPs, the Executives of Construction Party, the Islamic Iran Participation Front, the Society of Engineers, the Iran-e-Farda Party, the Society of Seminary Teachers of Qom, the Islamic Civilization Party, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have been published.

At night, Yasser, Mohammad Lahouti, and Hassan Maadi Khah came. They reported on the recounting of the ballot boxes and the obstruction by Ministry of Interior officials, saying that in most of the boxes, the recount favors me and some others.