Akbar Hashemi's Memoirs - November 19, 1999 - Sheikh Mehdi Karroubi’s Requests on Behalf of the Combatant Clergy Association, Which Were Indirectly Directed to Ayatollah Khamenei, But Were Not Positively Received

Sheikh Mehdi Karroubi’s requests, presented under the banner of the Combatant Clergy Association, were in fact indirect appeals to Ayatollah Khamenei, but these requests did not receive a positive response.

The political groups remained divided over whether Akbar Hashemi should participate in the Sixth Parliamentary Elections.

Hashemi’s account of Farah Diba’s remarks, where she claimed that the Dialogue of Civilizations, proposed by President Khatami, was originally her idea before the revolution, under the title "Dialogue of Cultures."

I spent the entire day at home. I drained the pool and cleaned it. Some of the children were here for lunch, which they brought themselves. The Persian-language services of American, British, and Israeli radio stations have been closely monitoring the "Unity Conference" since yesterday, expressing concern that differences might be resolved. They were pleased that Mr. [Mehdi] Karroubi, [Secretary-General of the Association of Combatant Clerics], had presented impractical demands at the conference, which they believe would hinder unity.

Yesterday, Mr. [Mohammad Reza] Mahdavi Kani, [Secretary-General of the Combatant Clergy Association], provided me with a summary of Mr. Karroubi’s remarks before speaking with me. Karroubi had requested that, in order to resolve the causes of division, the national media should remain neutral, mosques should be more open to clerics from their faction, the Special Court for the Clergy should maintain impartiality, and the Guardian Council should not favor one side. In reality, all these requests are directed at the Leader [Ayatollah Khamenei] and have little to do with the Combatant Clergy Association.

Among the so-called "Second of Khordad" reformist groups, divisions have emerged regarding the possibility of my entry into the election race. Some are concerned that it will disrupt the balance, while others interpret it positively and criticize their opponents. This is exactly what the conservative faction desires and is fueling, while I remain silent.

Farah Diba, [the widow of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi], has announced that the "Dialogue of Civilizations" initiative, proposed by Mr. Khatami, was originally her idea before the revolution, under the title "Dialogue of Cultures," which had led to a significant conference in Tehran with the participation of several foreign countries.

At the Istanbul summit, despite Mr. Clinton’s harsh tone yesterday, an agreement for cooperation between Russia and the West regarding Chechnya was signed today. We experienced a 6.5-magnitude earthquake between Gorgan and Shahrud, but no reports of damage have been received yet.