Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi - January 10, 2001 - Consultative Meeting - Electoral Discussion of Seyyed Hossein Marashi and Seyyed Mohammad Khatami's Analysis Regarding His or Mir-Hossein Mousavi's Candidacy

Meeting with Sheikh Mohammad Ashrafi Isfahani, who reports on the Amir al-Mu'minin Cultural Complex and Mosque in the Marzardaran suburb (former Gendarmerie) and consults about participating in the upcoming presidential elections.

Consultative Meeting with Mehdi Akbarzadeh, Advisor to the Minister of Agriculture, and an analytical report on the members of the Central Council of the Participation Party.

Meeting with Maryam Behroozi, Secretary-General of the Zainab Society at the time, for electoral consultation.

Consultative Meeting - Electoral Discussion of Seyyed Hossein Marashi and Seyyed Mohammad Khatami's Analysis Regarding His or Mir-Hossein Mousavi's Candidacy.

Complete Daily Entry:

Mr. Mohammad Ashrafi Isfahani came to discuss the situation of the NAJA suburb (current Marzardaran) and its cultural complex, which is being developed with the commercial income from it and assistance from the public and my previous support. He expressed dissatisfaction that Mr. Khatami, [the President], and the reformists had not involved him in their activities and sought a greater role in the Islamic Azad University, consulting about his candidacy for the presidency. I said it was unlikely he would win votes, but he would have an opportunity to express his views and plans if he had any.

Dr. [Mehdi] Akbarzadeh, [Advisor to the Minister of Agriculture], came and expressed concern about the status of his agricultural pesticide research center, which has been supported by Dr. [Isa] Kalantari, [the Minister of Agriculture], and mentioned that Mr. [Mohammad-Reza] Aref had also promised support. He noted that most members of the Central Council of the Participation Party had studied in America and Europe, with some leaning socialist and others favoring a free market, resulting in a lack of cohesion among them, which has led to cooperation due to political circumstances. Ms. [Maryam] Behroozi, [Secretary-General of the Zainab Society], also visited. She discussed the status of the Zainab Society and sought consultation regarding their positions in the elections, noting that they do not have a prominent candidate.

In the evening, Mr. Hossein Marashi, the representative from Kerman, arrived. He reported on the budget situation in the parliament and mentioned that an additional billion dollars had been allocated for completing important dam, road, and railway projects beyond the government's proposed budget. He stated that the reformists now acknowledge that losing your presence has dealt an irreparable blow, and had you been in the parliament, these problems would not exist. He discussed the presence of Mr. [Seyyed Mohammad] Khatami or Mr. Mir-Hossein Mousavi in the elections, noting that Mr. Khatami had said in a meeting with his advisors that the regime cannot tolerate their programs and may be closer to the ideas of someone like Mr. Mousavi, which could upset Mr. Mousavi if he hears such statements.

Last night, we had a total lunar eclipse. Before sleeping, we recited the prayer for the eclipse. Reports indicated that in Nigeria, Muslims in some northern provinces attacked and vandalized bars, immoral centers, and churches after their prayer ceremonies. Several northern provinces in Nigeria, where most residents are Muslims, are governed by Islamic law.