Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi - August 10, 2000 - Hashemi's Account of the Controversy Surrounding Ayatollah Khamenei's Order to Halt the Review of the Press Law Reform

Hashemi's account of the controversies supporting or opposing Ayatollah Khamenei's order to halt the review of the Press Law Reform

Interview with Sheikh Ahmad Montazeri criticizing the actions of the Islamic Republic's leader.

Advice to Sheikh Ibrahim Amini regarding issuing a statement from the Assembly of Experts in support of Ayatollah Khamenei's actions, and the lack of action from the Assembly of Experts is noteworthy.

It seems that Hashemi's daily account has been modified again, stating this here without further detail, which is curious and probably true.

Hashemi's recommendation to deny the news from Asharq Al-Awsat and Israeli Radio.

Consultation with Mohammad Ali Hadi Najafabadi regarding the actions taken in consular affairs for Iranians abroad.

Meeting with Seyyed Hossein Hashemi, representative of the central district in the Sixth Parliament.

Meeting with Mohammad Hashemi, executive assistant to the President, and a report on the state of the Reformist government and the political and electoral behavior of his superior, Seyyed Mohammad Khatami.

Meeting with Mohammad Sadegh Mahfouzi and a request for government funding to publish an independent newspaper, and actions against Seyyed Mohammad Khatami's re-election bid.

Meeting with General Morteza Ghorbani to draw Hashemi's attention and seek his help in accessing state resources for war veterans.

Complete Entry:

Numerous statements and messages have been issued in support of the leader's actions and the removal of the Press Law reform from the parliamentary agenda, resulting in the supporters of the reform becoming passive. In contrast, the Freedom Movement and the Assembly of Followers of the Line of Imam issued a statement opposing its removal from the agenda. Ahmad Agha, the son of Ayatollah Montazeri, has also given an interview to the anti-revolutionary radio in Los Angeles, criticizing the leadership and stating that it has now become clear that much of the pressure has come from Ayatollah Khamenei himself, including pressure for house arrest.

Mr. Ibrahim Amini, the head of the Assembly of Experts' secretariat, was advised to issue a statement on behalf of the Assembly, but this did not happen. Mr. Amini sought advice on how to deny a false report published by Asharq Al-Awsat, which claimed that the Assembly of Experts had secretly elected Mr. Seyyed Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi as the successor to the leadership; I stated that the newspaper lacks credibility and typically fabricates news, thus it is not worth the Assembly's effort to respond, but it should be denied in some manner since Israeli Radio has also reported it.

Dr. Mohammad Ali Hadi, the legal and consular deputy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, came in and reported on his efforts to streamline the issuance of passports for Iranians abroad, as well as visas for foreigners and matters related to military service and marriages of Iranians abroad. He requested that I mention these issues in my speech on Saturday.

Mr. Seyyed Hossein Hashemi, the representative for the central district in the Parliament, reported on current issues in the Parliament, stating that representatives are drafting a letter to the nation explaining recent parliamentary matters, which may be provocative. He invited me to attend the ceremony honoring the martyrs of the central district.

My brother Mohammad, the executive assistant to the President, informed me that during Mr. Khatami's visit to Kurdistan, public reception was lower than expected, and Kurdish representatives criticized the government for not fulfilling its electoral promises regarding Kurdistan during preliminary speeches at gatherings. He mentioned that Mr. Khatami had stated in the cabinet meeting that it is still uncertain if he will run for president again, and his previous statements were made for pragmatic reasons.

In the evening, Dr. Mohammad Sadegh Mahfouzi, the president of the Islamic Society of Researchers, and Mr. Baradaran came to report on the preparation of a book addressing anti-revolutionary and leftist smear campaigns against the Reconstruction government. They proposed launching an independent newspaper and requested assistance in securing a loan. Discussions about the presidential election ensued, with a suggestion to find a strong competitor for Mr. Khatami.

General Morteza Ghorbani, the advisor to the President on veterans' affairs and former commander of the 25th Khorasan Division, visited and provided a report on welfare actions for veterans in Isfahan. He sought help to access state resources for veterans. I returned home, where Faezah had prepared dinner.