Date: March 7, 2001 - Meeting with Sheikh Ali Fallahian and Consultation on Presidential Election Participation; Hashemi's Recommendation Against His Candidacy

Participation in the Nationwide Helicopter Seminar and Listening to Requests and Reports from Brigadier General Nasser Mohammadi Far and Brigadier General Majid Aghighi Ravan, Along with the Ideological and Political Leaders of the Army's Ground Forces and Helicopter Forces

Meeting with Ahmadreza Kazemi, the Dismissed CEO of Iran Air, and Listening to His Complaints

Report by Mohammad Hashemi on Preparing an Article for the National Accord Seminar, Which Is Opposed by Senior Government Officials, Leading to Hashemi's Announcement That It Will Not Be Held

Interview with Sadeq Al-Hosseini

Meeting with Sheikh Ali Fallahian and Consultation on Presidential Election Participation; Hashemi's Recommendation Against His Candidacy

Complete Daily Record:

In the morning, I went to the Headquarters of the Helicopter Forces in Lavasan for the inauguration of the nationwide commanders' seminar. We were welcomed by military personnel. I discussed briefly with the new commander of the Army's Ground Forces, Brigadier General Nasser Mohammadi Far, and the commander of the Helicopter Forces, Brigadier General Majid Aghighi Ravan, along with the responsible ideological and political officials of the Ground Forces and Helicopter Forces. They requested the transfer of the Panha Company, responsible for the comprehensive repairs of helicopters, to the Ministry of Defense under the Helicopter Forces' supervision. Similar requests had been made during the war. They mentioned that the U.S. has introduced advanced new helicopters called Apaches into its military organization, sidelining the existing types, and that some countries in the region are also procuring them, so we need to take action.

During the meeting, my speech in Parliament about the martyrdom of pilot Ali Akbar Shiroudi was read; it was interesting. In recognition of my past support for the Helicopter Forces, they presented me with a certificate of appreciation and a model of a Cobra helicopter. They provided a report on the Helicopter Forces and on the training of new pilots to replace those who will soon retire, along with maintenance and operational updates. I delivered an extensive speech regarding the essential role of the Helicopter Forces in the war, important national events, and the fight against bandits, and I praised the good maintenance of the fleet.

I went to my office, where Ahmadreza Kazemi, the recently dismissed CEO of Iran Air, arrived. He provided an explanation of his services and the purchase of several second-hand Airbus aircraft, stating that the agreement to purchase new Airbus planes from France, which was established during President Mohammad Khatami's visit, has been thwarted due to opposition from the U.S. He expressed dissatisfaction with the new Minister of Roads and Transportation due to his factional approach.

My brother Mohammad, the executive deputy to the president, came in. He consulted with me regarding the contents of an article he had prepared for the National Accord seminar and also regarding a response he gave to the Management and Planning Organization about the current government's performance report, which contains incorrect claims about the previous government. I informed him that the seminar is currently canceled. In the afternoon, I had an interview with Sadeq Al-Hosseini regarding important issues related to the war and the revolution. Ali Fallahian, the former Minister of Intelligence, came in and said that the right wing is upset about his candidacy for the presidential election and is opposing it. I also advised him that it is not advisable for him to run.