Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi - January 7, 2001 - Meeting of the Heads of Branches and Discussion on the Closure of the Tehran University Campus TV Station

Formation of the Infrastructure Commission of the Expediency Council and Continued Discussion on the Approval of the Draft General Policies for the Housing Sector

Meeting with the Vice President of China

Formation of the Heads of Branches Meeting and Discussion on the Closure of the Tehran University Campus TV Station and Criticisms from Seyyed Mohammad Khatami Regarding the Treatment of Individuals Associated with the Berlin Conference and the Memoirs of Ayatollah Montazeri

Complete Daily Entry:

The Infrastructure Commission of the Expediency Council completed the general policies for the housing sector. Mohsen and Fatemeh came to discuss matters related to the publication of the book "Report Card" and the memoirs from 1982, following the crisis. [Hu Jintao], the Vice President of China, arrived. Our discussions were friendly and routine. I expressed my grievances regarding China's failure to honor commitments related to the construction of the nuclear power plant and the nuclear fuel production project in Isfahan, and he referred to me as the architect of good relations between Iran and China.

In the evening, we were guests of Mr. [Seyyed Mahmoud] Hashemi Shahroudi, [the Head of the Judiciary], for the meeting of the heads of branches. The issue of establishing a television transmitter at the Tehran University campus, which was funded by the Ministry of Science and implemented by students, was discussed, but it had been closed down by the judicial authorities today. Mr. [Seyyed Mohammad] Khatami, [the President], noted that it was similar to a cable network, like the one at Imam Sadiq University (AS), and he objected to the treatment of the matter. Mr. Khatami also expressed dissatisfaction with the handling of individuals associated with the Berlin Conference, stating that it strained relations with Germany and that relations with Europe had recently become cold, particularly with France, which had reached a breaking point.

Mr. Shahroudi responded that these were excuses; the West had expectations of your government, saw that they were unrealistic, and used these as pretexts. He emphasized that we should not allow them to interfere in our internal affairs and judicial performance.

It was suggested to remind them that during the Mykonos trial, they claimed the courts were independent, so how could they now expect interference in our judicial matters? Mr. Khatami and [Mehdi] Karroubi, [the Speaker of the Parliament], criticized the memoirs of Ayatollah Montazeri, and there was a consensus that they reflected a vengeful stance towards Imam Khomeini, Ahmad, and the revolution. Mr. Khatami noted that the numerous weaknesses in the memoirs tarnished Mr. Montazeri's image, and some were intent on publicizing these flaws.