Memories of Akbar Hashemi - September 13, 2000 - Meeting with Morteza Sarmadi on the Eve of His Appointment as Ambassador to London, Which Hashemi (or the Publisher) Does Not Mention Due to the Complete Downgrade of His Position

Following Reports from the Current Deputies of the Ministry of Intelligence Against Their Minister, Now Meeting with Sheikh Ali Younesi and His Report on His Practical Actions in the Ministry of Intelligence, Complaining About the Surroundings of President Khatami, Such as Seyyed Mohammad Ali Abtahi, and Expressing a Negative Opinion on the Continued Ministry of Ataollah Mohajerani in Accordance with Ayatollah Khamenei's Will, Which Was Mentioned in Previous Daily Notes, and Requesting Hashemi's Intervention in the Dispute Between the Ministry of Intelligence and the Judiciary Regarding the Serial Killings and the Assassination of Hajarian and Events in Khorramabad, etc.

Meeting with Morteza Sarmadi on the Eve of His Appointment as Ambassador to London, Which Hashemi (or the Publisher) Does Not Mention Due to the Complete Downgrade of His Position from Deputy Minister to Ambassador.

Dr. Mahmoud Golzari's Academic Consultations with Hashemi for Leading the Friday Prayer Sermons.

Trip to Mashhad and Consultations with Sheikh Abbas Vaez Tabasi and Mohsen Mehralizadeh, Especially Regarding the Special Economic Zone of Sarakhs.

Full Text of the Daily Note:

Mr. [Ali Younesi], the Minister of Intelligence, came. He reported on his actions to restrict the economic and commercial activities of the ministry and to discipline agents in dealing with the public. He announced the ministry's passivity and negligence regarding handling anti-revolutionaries, identifying the ministry's damage in the murder cases and the effects of previous actions as contributing factors. He provided a report on planning to deal with the hypocrites and asked me to renew my historical role as a balancing force in the country, stating that the leftist forces now acknowledge that they made a strategic mistake in dealing with me and have faced the consequences. He mentioned that individuals like Mr. [Seyyed Mohammad Ali] Abtahi, [the President's Chief of Staff], and his friends prevent Mr. [Seyyed Mohammad] Khatami from acting according to his balanced spirit and that they should be separated. He also stated that Mr. [Ataollah] Mohajerani [the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance] should not remain. He requested my assistance in resolving the current issues between the Ministry of Intelligence and the judiciary, which are in a bad state.

Mr. [Morteza] Sarmadi [former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs] came. He is heading to England for the embassy. He mentioned that the British have become colder recently compared to a few months ago and are unwilling to engage in serious cooperation with Iran, perhaps because they lack confidence in the so-called reforms. They are pressuring to lift the restrictive ceiling on their embassy personnel, which Iran does not accept; he has been downgraded from being a deputy minister.

Dr. [Mahmoud] Golzari [psychologist] came. He shared insights on psychology regarding envy for the Friday prayer discussions. Until five-thirty in the afternoon, I completed my tasks and flew to Mashhad. Efat and some of her companions and bodyguards accompanied me. Mr. [Abbas Vaez] Tabasi [Representative of the Leader in Khorasan and the Custodian of the Astan Quds Razavi], [Mr. Mohsen Mehralizadeh] the governor, and [Mr. Seyyed Mahdi Abadi] the Friday prayer leader and provincial officials welcomed us at Mashhad airport. After a brief interview, we went to the shrine. After the Maghrib and Isha prayers, I went for visitation, and after dinner, we discussed the reasons for the lack of success of the Sarakhs special economic zone and I asked the governor questions about the province's situation.