Akbar Hashemi's Memoirs - November 21, 1999 - Mohammad Javad Larijani’s Interesting Arguments for Encouraging Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani to Run in the Sixth Parliamentary Elections

Mohammad Javad Larijani’s interesting arguments for encouraging Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani to run in the sixth parliamentary elections.

The meeting with Mohammad Bagher Nevisi, a political activist and head of the office of the then-Speaker of Parliament, Ali Akbar Nategh-Nouri, and Nategh-Nouri’s message not to run in the next parliamentary elections hold significant historical relevance, especially his complaints regarding the Supreme Leader’s office.

The continued efforts of Abdullah Jasbi to establish the "Chakad-e Azad Andishan" (Free Thinkers' Front) for the sixth parliamentary elections, though these efforts were ultimately not very successful.

Mohammad Gharazi's expectation to lead the electoral list in the upcoming elections.

The political meeting with Seyyed Mohammad Mir Mohammadi, the Deputy Head of the Supreme Leader's Office and then-Representative of Qom in the Parliament, who with his supporters founded the Islamic Civilization Party, although it did not gain much traction in the country’s political sphere.

Furthermore, the conflict between Mansour Vaezi and Mehdi Argani over the management of Tehran's Cultural and Artistic Organization, which was eventually settled through the intervention of Ayatollah Khamenei, leading to the organization being separated from direct mayoral oversight and placed under an independent board of trustees, offers an intriguing backstory. Those interested can explore the media archives of that period for more details.

Mr. Mohammad Javad Larijani, [MP for Tehran], came to visit. He criticized the performance of the government, the parliament, and the Third Development Plan, while praising the achievements of the reconstruction era. He expressed concern about the future state of the next parliament if I do not run, stating that his political faction and independent circles unanimously believe that it is imperative for the revolution and the leadership that I participate in the elections. I gave him the usual response. He added that the left-wing faction is very worried about my potential presence.

Mr. [Mohammad Bagher] Nevisi, head of Mr. [Ali Akbar] Nategh Nouri’s office, came and conveyed that Mr. Nategh has seriously decided not to participate in the upcoming elections. He also expressed grievances about the Supreme Leader's office and asked me to encourage Nategh not to step aside, while also stating that my presence is essential and could resolve many issues.

Dr. [Abdullah] Jasbi, [President of the Islamic Azad University], visited to discuss university matters and sought assistance in getting a proposal through parliament for providing more financial support to Azad University students. He also provided updates on the formation of several academic groups and freedom-seeking fronts to participate in the elections. He noted that the left-wingers, after initially attacking me, have now retreated, realizing their stance has backfired.

In the afternoon, engineer [Mohammad] Gharazi came to discuss the elections and broader political issues. He expects to be at the top of the electoral lists. Members of the Central Council of the Islamic Civilization Party, led by [Seyyed Mohammad Mir Mohammadi], brought pre-issues of their weekly publication and sought advice on their election strategy.

They are also considering forming an independent front and mentioned that in the dispute between Mr. Mansour Vaezi, the head of Tehran’s Cultural and Artistic Organization, and Mr. [Mehdi] Argani, who was recently appointed by the Tehran municipality, they believe Vaezi is in the right.

There was widespread media coverage of the rumor that a bomb had been planted on the plane carrying Mr. [Bill] Clinton, [President of the United States], from Greece to Italy. However, it was revealed to be psychological warfare. In Greece, anti-Clinton protests were very extensive, and he had to shorten his trip.

The opening of trade crossings between Iran and Afghanistan has also attracted a lot of attention and generated many interpretations. The fatwa issued by several Afghan clerics permitting the execution of [Osama] bin Laden, [leader of al-Qaeda], has also drawn significant interest.