Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi - August 19, 2000 - Arrests at Baharestan Square Following Ayatollah Khamenei's Decree to the Sixth Majlis to Halt Consideration of the Press Reform Bill

Consultative meeting with Gholamreza Foroozesh following previous discussions with Hassan Rouhani regarding his resignation from the Strategic Research Center and acceptance of the vice presidency of Tehran City Council.

Meeting with Yadollah Tahernezhad for political consultations with Hashemi; Hashemi's response is noteworthy: the Leader must be accountable to the Assembly of Experts, but the Assembly of Experts is not accountable!

Meeting with Mahmoud Vaezi along with experts from the foreign policy section of the Strategic Research Center.

Meeting with Abbasali Vaekili and the current managers of the Office for the Affairs of Freed Prisoners.

Arrests at Baharestan Square following Ayatollah Khamenei's decree to the Sixth Majlis to halt consideration of the Press Reform Bill.

Full Memoir Text:

Mr. Gholamreza Foroozesh, Deputy of the Strategic Research Center of the Expediency Discernment Council, came to present a report on the situation of the research center and some behavioral issues. He requested to resign from his position due to other responsibilities and to continue as a consultant. A few weeks ago, Mr. Hassan Rouhani, the head of the Strategic Research Center, informed him that the condition for continuing as deputy was to be present at the center for thirty hours a week, which he could not manage. He expressed concern about the country's political and economic situation and sought advice regarding his acceptance of the vice presidency of Tehran City Council, which had been offered to him.

Mr. Yadollah Tahernezhad, former representative of Nowshahr and a member of the central council of the Islamic Coalition Party, came in. He stated that some leftists, including Mr. Behzad Nobari, the deputy speaker of the Majlis, and his associates, have concluded that confronting you has resulted in detriment to themselves, the country, the reform movement, and the Majlis, and they wish to rectify the situation and would like a meeting. He noted that open confrontation with the Leader regarding the reform and press bills would lead to clearer positions, potentially resulting in the Leader being accountable like other officials. I remarked that the Leader should be accountable to the Assembly of Experts, although the Assembly is not seeking accountability. He requested that I maintain my independence and not lean towards any faction.

Mr. Mahmoud Vaezi, the international deputy of the Strategic Research Center, along with researchers from the foreign policy section, visited to present their plans regarding committees focusing on Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Central Asia, the Caucasus, and globalization. I encouraged them in their endeavors.

In the evening, a group of freed prisoners and managers from the Office for the Affairs of Freed Prisoners came to see me. Mr. Abbasali Vaekili, the head of the office, reported, and I spoke about their dignity and God's grace in their release. Two weeks ago, anti-revolutionary radios had announced, citing anonymous groups, that there would be a gathering in Baharestan Square to oppose the Leader's actions regarding the press bill. The police and Hezbollah were prepared for a confrontation. A few hundred people gathered, and some were arrested while others were dissuaded from continuing their participation.