Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi - October 24, 2000 - Complaints from Seyyed Mohammad Baqir Kharazi about Ayatollah Khamenei

• Meetings with Health Insurance Officials: Officials from the Health Insurance Organization, along with Mohammad Reza Vaezi Mahdavi, reported on their activities and expressed satisfaction regarding budget allocations and debt repayments.
• Masis Mohajeri's Report: A significant account came from Masis Mohajeri, who conveyed concerns regarding Nasser Zarafshan, a lawyer representing the families of victims in the chain murders case, suggesting the Ministry of Intelligence deemed it inappropriate for him to handle the case.
• Cultural Projects: Meetings with filmmakers Hamid Akhoundi and Mehdi Sajadehchi revolved around a new series titled "The Revolution Alone," which they requested assistance on regarding content and analysis.
• Concerns from Mohammad Reza Mokhber Darfouli: A consultation with Mohammad Reza Mokhber Darfouli focused on the oversight of the implementation of general policies and the continued activities of the Supreme Cultural Revolution Council.
• Kharazi's Complaints: Seyyed Mohammad Baqir Kharazi expressed dissatisfaction with Ayatollah Khamenei's leadership, stating that they were no longer engaging in political activities and were instead focusing on cultural initiatives.
• Foreign Policy Hurdles: There were reports of reactions to Seyyed Kamel Kharazi's speeches in the United States, where he faced protests and criticism domestically for perceived compromises to the dignity of the revolution.

Full Diary Entry:

On my way to the office, we were delayed for an hour in heavy traffic due to schools reopening. The managers of the Health Insurance Organization came, including Fati [head of the Special Diseases Foundation]. Dr. [Mohammad Reza] Vaezi Mahdavi presented a report and expressed satisfaction regarding budget allocations and debt repayments. I spoke about the necessity of universal insurance and the importance of providing satisfactory services, especially for patients with specific diseases.

Mr. Masis Mohajeri [advisor to the president and managing editor of the Islamic Republic newspaper] arrived with a report from the Ministry of Intelligence regarding Mr. Nasser Zarafshan, who is representing one of the families in the chain murders case and has been giving interviews to foreign media. The report labeled him as counter-revolutionary and corrupt, suggesting it was unwise for him to have access to the case's information. He mentioned that he heard from [Seyyed Ali Asghar] Hejazi that the leader intends to reactivate the promotion of virtue and prevention of vice, expressing concern that it may not be effective.

Mr. Hamid Akhoundi [television producer] and [Mehdi] Sajadehchi [screenwriter] visited, presenting their post-war filmmaking services. They mentioned signing a contract with state television to produce a 24-episode series called "The Revolution Alone" about the conditions during the revolution. They requested my assistance with content and analysis, to which I agreed and asked them to bring their questions.

In the afternoon, Mr. [Mohammad Reza] Mokhber [Darfouli], [head of the advisory committee of the Supreme Cultural Revolution Council], came. He presented a draft regulation for overseeing the implementation of general policies and reported on the Asian cultural conference in Canada, criticizing the inexperience of the Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Culture in leveraging such congresses. He mentioned stagnation within the Supreme Cultural Revolution Council and noted that leftist groups are pushing for its dissolution, with the Office of Strengthening Unity explicitly declaring it should be disbanded.

Mr. Seyyed Baqir Kharazi, leader of the Hezbollah faction in Qom, came expressing grievances about the leadership, stating that they have ceased political activities and are focusing on cultural endeavors, such as managing schools and research. He sought my guidance for their work, noting that he has now recognized the importance of my initiatives.

Foreign Minister [Kamel] Kharazi is currently in the U.S. for several speeches, facing protests from counter-revolutionaries wherever he goes. Domestically, he is criticized for actions during [Seyyed Mohammad] Khatami's [presidency] that allegedly undermined the dignity of the revolution. His speeches are being held with U.S. government approval at various universities, but today it was announced that one university canceled his lecture under pressure from counter-revolutionaries.

In Turkey, a new crisis has emerged due to the prevention of veiled women from studying at universities, leading to protests by thousands of families outside universities. They claim that last year, 16,000 female students were deprived of their education.