Akbar Hashemi's Memoirs - November 17, 1999 - Limited Meeting with Ayatollah Montazeri Approved by the Supreme National Security Council, but Rejected by Montazeri

A polite complaint from the Norwegian Ambassador in Tehran regarding the strictness of Akbar Hashemi’s security team, followed by Hashemi’s playful remarks with him.

Concerns over the worsening political situation in the country, with Ayatollah Khamenei’s control over affairs diminishing.

Mehdi Hashemi's report on King Abdullah's reaction to the private message regarding the revival and development of the Africa-Asia Foundation.

A limited meeting with Ayatollah Montazeri was approved by the Supreme National Security Council and Ayatollah Khamenei, but according to Hashemi, Montazeri refused, insisting on full freedom.

Mr. Svein Aass, the Norwegian Ambassador, visited. He knows a little Persian, and his consul accompanied him. He had shaved his head, and I joked with him, saying, "You look like the scholars of Qom!" We didn’t have any significant discussions, except for stressing the development of relations and a few questions about their oil and gas industries. He mentioned that in the North Sea, they had installed platforms at depths of 500 meters. Their policy is to reduce oil production and increase gas production. He arrived late, apparently delayed by security. Politely, he complained, saying, "You have very thorough and strict guards!"

In the afternoon, Dr. [Hassan] Rouhani, [Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council], followed up on a question about the announcement of the Moderation and Development Party. He mentioned that at the recent meeting of the [Combatant Clergy Association], it was decided to formally request that I run for the [sixth parliamentary] elections. Overall, he also believes that I should participate. He expressed concern that the political situation is gradually worsening, and Ayatollah Khamenei's control is diminishing. We discussed potential solutions and reviewed possible remedies.

In the evening, Mehdi [Hashemi, CEO of Iran Marine Industrial Company] came and reported on his trip to Saudi Arabia. He mentioned that the presence of Prince Sultan [bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Defense and Aviation] during his meeting with Crown Prince Abdullah to deliver my message had caught his attention. Saudi Arabia had taken this message seriously and had even broadcasted the news. Mehdi also reported that oil managers had sold an additional two million barrels of offshore oil beyond the quota, but [Bijan Namdar] Zangeneh, [Minister of Petroleum], had stopped it. I agreed with Mr. Zangeneh, as this violation could destabilize OPEC’s oil policies. Perhaps in the coming weeks, as demand for oil increases, a legal solution will emerge.

Permission for a limited meeting with Ayatollah Montazeri was granted, but he refused, saying he should be fully freed. Reports indicated that yesterday, after President [Mohammad] Khatami's speech in Isfahan, about four thousand people marched in support of Montazeri.

The case of the crash of EgyptAir Flight 767 has resurfaced. Three weeks ago, the plane, carrying 217 passengers, crashed into the ocean shortly after taking off from New York, killing everyone onboard. It was reported that 30 highly trained Egyptian military personnel were on the flight, and Israel was reportedly uneasy about their military expertise, leading to speculation that Israel was involved. With the discovery of the black box and a recording of co-pilot [Gamil al-Batouti] expressing the Shahada moments before the crash, the possibility of a deliberate criminal act, potentially a suicide, is being considered.