Akbar Hashemi's Diaries - 1999 September 27 - Continuing to make news about the article of the Moj student magazine and creating press and media tension and in fact a fuss for nothing.

Inauguration of the project of 500 residential units in Dasht Naz Fardis Karaj

Negotiations and historical emphasis in the meeting with Ali Ezzat Begovich

In the continuation of the consultations with Russia and special cooperation, the meeting of Mahmoud Vaezi, the deputy minister of foreign affairs at the time, with Hashemi, who passed quickly, is interesting.

The continuation of the circulation regarding the article of the Moj student magazine and creating press and media tension and in fact a fuss for nothing

[Mr. Ali Abdul Alizadeh], Minister of Housing [and Urban Development] came home. We went together to open a project of 500 affordable housing units in Dashtnaz [Ferdis] Karaj.

On the way, Mr. Abdul Alizadeh reported on his trip to Tunisia and the desire of the Tunisian government to cooperate with Iran and their success in developing olive cultivation and industry and attracting tourists.

We visited some units of 40, 50, and 60 square meters and in a ceremony, I gave the keys to some houses to the buyers and asked questions.

They pay one million and 600 thousand tomans in cash and the rest in installments. It is a good job. Its plan has been prepared by the construction government and has now reached its conclusion. Mr. Abdul Alizadeh gave a report and I gave a speech about the benefits of this plan.

I went to my office. In the evening, Mr. [Ali] Izat Begovic, a member of the Presidential Council of Bosnia [and Herzegovina], came. He appreciated Iran's unwavering help during the war and asked to participate in the reconstruction and explained the situation of the displaced and the reconstruction method. Finally, he asked for a private meeting and said about the death sentence of the rioters of the university and the trial of 13 Jews accused of espionage, that these have ended to the detriment of Iran and if they are compensated in some way, the relationship between Europe and Iran will be strengthened.

Mr. [Mahmoud] Vaezi, [Economic Deputy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs] came. He reported on his trip to Moscow and Ukraine and Russia's willingness to cooperate with Iran on the gas issue, and discussed the issues of the Strategic Research Center and the [Sixth] Majlis elections and the Independence Party [=moderation and development].

In the domestic news, the reactions of two factions about Moj magazine continue. The leftist newspapers have attacked the statement of the militant clerical community because of the attacks and insults in the statement against Mr. Khatami.

Mr. [Hossein] Marashi, [Kerman representative], sent me a message that it is good, I should compensate in some way. In the foreign media, they are fueling and interpreting Mr. Khatami's last night's words in the government delegation as an attack on the opponents of the government.

Markets in Tehran and some other cities were closed today as a protest, and gatherings and marches were held.

Mr. [Ali] Younisi, [Information Minister] said in the meeting of the government board that the leadership is ready to accept the repentance of the students of Moj magazine and pardon them.

The bombing of Chechnya continues and the Indonesian army handed over the administration of East Timor to the peacekeeping forces today.