Akbar Hashemi's Memoirs - March 11, 2000 - Strong Protests from Leftist Newspapers Over the Annulment of the Bandar Abbas, Minab, and Gachsaran Elections

My letter to the Guardian Council is set to be published.

The leftist newspapers have expressed strong protests over the annulment of the elections in Bandar Abbas, Minab, and Gachsaran.

The old Tehran-Karaj road was blocked by workers.

The Expediency Council held a session today. The discussions were focused on general policies for the transportation sector. It took up all the time, and due to the low number of attendees, we were unable to hold a vote. At noon, Mr. [Abbas Vaez] Tabasi, Mr. [Ali Akbar] Nategh [Nouri], and Mr. [Ghorbanali] Dorri [Najafabadi] were my guests. We discussed the elections, the press, the parliament, and other issues. There was a consensus that with the current trajectory, the country is being pushed toward secularism, and various solutions were proposed.

In the afternoon, Mr. [Mohammad Taqi] Amanpour, Deputy Minister of [Research at the Ministry of] Jihad [for Reconstruction], visited. He expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of development and the country's political situation. He offered some proposals. A group of members from the Central Council of the Islamic Civilization Party also came, shared their work plans, and spoke about the unfavorable political and cultural conditions. They sought my opinion for solutions, and I provided some insights. Mr. Ali Larijani, [Head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting], came and informed me of his discussions with the Supreme Leader and the head of the judiciary. It was decided that my letter to the Guardian Council would be published. We also discussed future issues, elections, and the revolution.

Today, several newspapers covered the Friday prayers' imams' remarks regarding the Belgian court, while the leftist media are attempting to question the entire matter, as most of the statements blame them for the situation.

The leftist newspapers are voicing strong objections to the annulment of the elections in Bandar Abbas, Minab, and Gachsaran. Protests and demonstrations have taken place in these cities, and in Dabasht and Dogonbadan, there were clashes with the police, with roads between Shiraz and Khuzestan blocked, leading to heavy traffic congestion. Leftist groups are continuously issuing statements of protest. Five leftist representatives are still in the parliament. Today, the old Tehran-Karaj road was blocked by workers for a long time, and scattered protests by students and workers have increased.

There has been recent attention to the flood victims in Madagascar. Along with the floods in Mozambique, Madagascar has also suffered significant damage. Weather changes in East Africa have caused widespread flooding in the region.