Memories of Akbar Hashemi - March 6, 2002 - Meeting with Attaollah Mohajerani and Request for Meeting with Ayatollah Khamenei Following His Criticisms of Mohajerani's Tenure

Formation of the Expediency Council Meeting and Extensive Discussions, Including Sheikh Ebrahim Amiri’s Quotation Regarding Seyed Ahmad Khatami’s Resignation from the Oversight Leadership Committee, Citing the Inability to Conduct Serious Work

Meeting with Hossein Haj Abdol Wahab, Known as Haj Assadollah Bankdar, a Pre-Revolution Fighter Who Later Turned to Worship and Spirituality

Meeting with Attaollah Mohajerani and Request for Meeting with Ayatollah Khamenei Following His Criticisms of Mohajerani's Tenure or at Least Correspondence with the Supreme Leader

Hashemi’s Recommendations for Resolving the Dispute Between Hassan Al-Turabi and Omar Al-Bashir

Follow-Up Meeting with Hossein Qasemi, New CEO of the Kish Free Trade Zone, and Hashemi’s Analysis of His Plans

Full Text of the Daily Journal:

The Expediency Council held a meeting. The discussion centered on the generalities of national security policies. Seyed Mohammad Khatami, the President, presented detailed remarks, some of which were met with objections from Hassan Sanei and Habibollah Asgaroladi. Bijan Namdar Zangeneh, the Minister of Oil, stated that the Japanese have observed that the new American cabinet lacks Jewish representation, indicating a moderate policy in the Middle East, potentially leading to increased attention toward Iran. Ibrahim Amiri, Secretary of the Assembly of Experts, mentioned that the proposal to hold an extraordinary and informal session of the Assembly may pose issues and is unlikely to resolve any matters; it was decided that no action would be taken before the New Year. He also noted that Seyed Ahmad Khatami had resigned from the Oversight Committee due to the inability to conduct serious work. They were my guests for lunch.

In the afternoon, Hossein Haj Abdol Wahab, known as Haj Assadollah Bankdar, visited. He shared some advisory remarks about leadership and piety. He had no specific agenda and was there for a visit, as he was a fellow prisoner before the revolution. I gifted him a Quran. Attaollah Mohajerani, the head of the Center for Dialogue Among Civilizations, also came. He spoke about the dialogue of civilizations and the new responsibilities of the government, stating that fostering a suitable atmosphere for cooperation could be beneficial. He mentioned that during his recent meeting with the Cultural Commission of Parliament, the leadership had expressed strong criticism of him, and through Seyed Ali Asghar Hojjati, he conveyed a message to the leader expressing his desire to meet and explain or provide clarification through a letter.

Hassan Al-Turabi, the Speaker of the Sudanese Parliament, has been arrested in recent days; it is reported that he coordinated with southern rebels against Omar Al-Bashir’s government. They had a falling out after being close friends for many years, and I had previously cautioned them not to let their disagreements escalate. Several of his associates have also been arrested. Hossein Qasemi, the new CEO of the Kish Free Trade Zone, came to invite me for the holidays and explained his plans, which seemed to lack realistic considerations.