Memories of Akbar Hashemi - January 15, 2001 - Publication of a Candid Letter from the Office of the Office for Strengthening Unity to Ayatollah Khamenei by IRNA Special News

Continued Disputes Over the Executive Procedures of the Deputies and the Head of the Strategic Research Center, Meeting of the Center's Deputies with Hashemi, and Review of Reports by Hamid Mirzadeh and Mahmoud Vaezi to Establish a Unified Approach

Meeting with Sheikh Mohsen Do'a-go, Imam of Friday Prayer in Lavasan, Discussing Frequent Sermons Criticizing the Reformist Government and Mohammad Khatami, and Consulting on Other Matters, Especially the Quality of Sermons by Sheikh Gholamreza Hasani, the Imam of Urmia at That Time

Ongoing Developments Regarding the Issuance of the Initial Verdict for the Defendants in the Berlin Conference and the Statement from Sheikh Abbas Ali Alizadeh, the then Head of the Judiciary in Tehran

Visiting Sheikh Mohammad Mohammadi Gilani in the Hospital

Deterioration of Sheikh Mohammad Reza Mahdavi Kani’s Condition While Attending the Funeral of Sheikh Mohammad Mahdi Shams al-Din in Lebanon

Publication of a Candid Letter from the Office for Strengthening Unity to Ayatollah Khamenei by IRNA Special News

Full Text of the Daily Notes:

I had a meeting with the deputies of the Strategic Research Center of the Expediency Discernment Council. We listened to the reports from Mr. Hamid Mirzadeh and Mr. Mahmoud Vaezi regarding the conference and roundtables. We discussed the communication between the Center and the Council as well as the regulations for the Council's oversight of the implementation of general policies.

In the afternoon, Mr. Mohsen Do'a-go visited. He explained part of his statements during the Friday prayer in Shemiran, which typically criticize the government's performance, and expressed concern about the possible continuation of Mr. Mohammad Khatami's presidency. Regarding the issues related to Mr. Gholamreza Hasani, the Imam of Urmia, who he believes usually has weak statements, he sought consultation for decisions from the Policy Council for Friday Prayer Leaders. He requested that I attend the opening of the pipe manufacturing factory and the fish farming site of the Mo'in Khorramshahr Institute, which started with my support and directives. He criticized the passive approach regarding the slogans of reform and democracy.

In both domestic and foreign media, the condemnation of participants in the Berlin conference is gaining attention, along with the dispute between the Majlis and the judiciary over Mr. Abbas Ali Alizadeh's statement, the head of the Tehran judiciary, in response to the report of the Majlis's Article 90 Commission and the serial murder trials involving participants in the Berlin conference. In the morning, on my way to the office, I visited Mr. Mohammad Mohammadi Gilani, the head of the Supreme Court, who had undergone heart surgery; he is recovering. Four blocked arteries have been opened. It was announced that Mr. Mohammad Reza Mahdavi Kani, who was sent by the leadership to attend the funeral of the late Sheikh Mohammad Mahdi Shams al-Din in Lebanon, suffered a heart attack while visiting the Khiam Prison in southern Lebanon and has been hospitalized at Sadr Hospital; however, his condition is reported to be stable. He has previously suffered from heart problems several times.

In a special telegram from IRNA, the text of the letter from the Office for Strengthening Unity to the leadership was reported, which is quite sharp in tone. It was given to him during their recent meeting, and a copy has also been posted on the notice board at Hamadan University; there are numerous protests regarding this letter.