Akbar Hashemi's Memoirs - January 13, 2000 - President Khatami Acknowledges the Achievements of the Reconstruction Era in My Government

President Khatami appreciated the achievements of the Reconstruction Era during my government, stating that without that progress, the country would have faced a crisis in the past two years. These remarks put his left-wing supporters in a difficult position.

The global issues of the day include the delay in the execution of Abdullah Öcalan, [leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)], until the European Court ruling, the refusal to extradite Augusto Pinochet, [former President of Chile], to Spain, and Russia's shift in strategy in the war in Chechnya.

At 10:00 AM, I went to the Leader's office for a meeting with members of the Assembly of Experts. Ayatollah Ali Meshkini, [Chairman of the Assembly], gave a brief speech, followed by a report from Ayatollah Ebrahim Amini, Secretary of the Assembly. The Leader also gave a good speech, criticizing the ongoing counter-revolutionary movements.

The Assembly members then went to meet with President Mohammad Khatami. Ayatollah Meshkini gave a short speech, strongly criticizing the press, cultural deviations, inflation, and rising prices. President Khatami responded cautiously and indirectly. He also expressed appreciation for the accomplishments of the Reconstruction Era during my presidency, saying that if it hadn’t been for that reconstruction, the country would have faced a crisis in the past two years. He added that when Hashemi's government began, the economic situation was dire, but through reconstruction and the implementation of two five-year plans, the country was handed over to us in good shape, and we benefit from the valuable experience of those two five-year plans. These comments place his left-wing supporters, who typically criticize the Reconstruction Era, in a difficult position.

I did not stay for prayer or lunch. In the early evening, members of the Assembly of Experts came to my office. Ayatollah Amini, Seyyed Ahmad Khatami, Qorbanali Dorri-Najafabadi, Habibollah Mohtamannavaz, Ahmad Saberi-Hamedani, and Majid Ansari spoke. Some of them thanked me for running in the parliamentary elections, calling it a selfless and hopeful act. They also praised the Reconstruction Era and asked for a stronger response to counter-revolutionary forces.

Ayatollah Saberi praised my Tafsir Rahnama (a Quranic commentary), and I spoke as well. I emphasized the hostility of global powers toward Islamic governance, the need for moderation, avoiding the imposition of personal tastes, and curbing both left-wing and right-wing extremism. This resonated with both the right and left-wing members present, and they requested that my speech be published in full. After dinner, a gift was given to each attendee. I worked until 9:00 PM and then returned home.