Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani's Memoirs - December 20, 1999 Mr. Shabestari, the Friday Prayer Imam of Tabriz, suggested that I propose to Kargozaran and the Worker’s House to include some of the figures from the Combatant Clergy Association in their candidate

Mr. [Burhanuddin] Rabbani, the President of Afghanistan, came with over ten members of his cabinet. He explained their situation in northern Afghanistan and the state of their military forces. Despite the extensive preparations by the Taliban, the wars of the past year have not weakened them; rather, the Taliban have been weakened. He also discussed their relations with Arab countries, Central Asia, India, Pakistan, and international organizations. He requested continued support from the Islamic Republic of Iran and expressed gratitude for Iran’s previous assistance.

Mr. [Mohsen Mojtahed] Shabestari, the Friday Prayer Imam of Tabriz, also visited. He suggested that I propose to Kargozaran and the Worker’s House to include some figures from the Combatant Clergy Association in their election lists. I told him that this would be possible if there was mutual cooperation. He also requested assistance in allocating a percentage of the income from the Tabriz Petrochemical Complex for the construction of the Tabriz prayer hall, as had been done for other provinces during my presidency. I told him that we used to pass it as a tax, but now the city council must approve it.

In the afternoon, the deputies from the [Strategic Research Center of the Expediency Discernment Council] came to discuss the center's statutes, research topics, budget issues, and tomorrow’s interview. We also talked about the disorder in the country’s press. They stayed for Iftar. Dr. [Hassan] Rouhani remained after the meeting, and we consulted on the new members of the Moderation and Development Party and their election list.