Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi - May 7, 2000 - Continued fallout from press closures; the Berlin Conference according to Hashemi

Continued fallout from press closures; the Berlin Conference according to Hashemi

Continuing the role and negotiations of Ali Larijani regarding the press and the political climate in 2000, and a meeting with Hashemi to discuss the outcome of his meeting with Ayatollah Khamenei the previous night.

A more significant account of last night’s meeting and the Supreme Leader's remarks regarding Seyed Mohammad Khatami and the withdrawal of confidence from him and the reformist government.

Broadcasting Ayatollah Khamenei’s statements via state media, with clearer criticism of the reformists and renewed positioning regarding the press, the Berlin Conference, and other current issues in the country.

Report from Mohammad Rajabi Davani on the process of organizing the Berlin Conference.

An emotional meeting with Mohammad Farrokhi, the elected representative from Jiroft, whose election was annulled by the Guardian Council.

Consultation with Mohammad Hashemi regarding the possibility of issuing a statement by the political committee of the Kargozaran party, supporting Ayatollah Khamenei's positions.

Meeting with Abdollah Jasbi and his foreign guests.

Continuing fallout from press closures; the Berlin Conference according to Hashemi.

Announcement and report to Hashemi about the release of eight accused personnel from the Ministry of Intelligence implicated in the so-called chain murders.

Mr. Ali Larijani, the head of the state broadcasting organization, came by. He wanted to know the results of my discussions with the Supreme Leader regarding the press, elections, and other political issues. He suggested that the Kargozaran party should take clear and correct positions. He said the news of the Leader's remarks to the Second of Khordad leaders would be broadcast today; it would be sharp and revealing. Ayatollah Khamenei had told me last night that part of his remarks would be broadcast, effectively representing a direct confrontation with their thoughts and actions; although they have lost confidence in Mr. Khatami, they maintain respect for him. The criticisms they want to voice to him are directed towards his supporters, but in a private meeting, they told him that his statement about the Berlin Conference—claiming such meetings have been common—is incorrect, and they view Mr. Khatami’s criticism of state media for broadcasting the session as misplaced.

Ultimately, his remarks were broadcast tonight. Regarding the press, the Berlin Conference, reform, and other current issues, they rejected the views of the Second of Khordad movement; this may be costly for them. Although their policy is to appease and compromise until the formation of the parliament, they fear that if tensions rise, it could pose problems for parliament formation.

Mr. [Mohammad] Rajabi Davani, our cultural attaché in Germany, came with news about the preparations for the Berlin Conference. He mentioned it was coordinated with the Foreign Ministry and the embassy and had been planned for months, with four conferences intended, backed by strong Zionist influences in Germany. He noted the weak connection of the embassy with Iranians living in Germany.

He believes many have turned to Islam, mysticism, and spirituality. During this year’s Hajj, seven official groups of Iranians abroad and hundreds individually attended. The "Masnavi" of Rumi, which has also been translated into English, is widely published in the West, particularly in the US, with 1.5 million copies distributed. He said our embassy in Germany does not reflect the realities there to Iran.

Dr. [Mohammad] Farrokhi, elected by the people of Jiroft, came. He complained about the annulment of the elections by the Guardian Council and cried; he feels victimized. He is a candidate from the Kargozaran party. One of his legs has been paralyzed since childhood due to polio. He announced that people should not cause disturbances; he is accused of buying votes but said he only spent 5.5 million tomans from the Kargozaran party.

Mohammad's brother, [the head of the Kargozaran Central Council], came to consult on a statement from the political committee of the Kargozaran party supporting the Leader’s positions, mentioning that it would contradict the party’s stance coordinated with the Second of Khordad regarding the Berlin Conference and the press.

Occasional airstrikes by the US and the UK on Iraq continue. The issue of the Cuban child in the US is still a hot topic. In the evening, Dr. [Abdollah] Jasbi, the president of the Islamic Azad University, came and reported on the agenda for the Executive Committee meeting of the Union of Islamic World Universities. Then, the members of the Executive Committee arrived; they are guests of the Islamic Azad University, which has become a member of the union.

At several universities, students have gathered to protest the press closures and the broadcasting of the Berlin film. It was announced that eight of the accused in the chain murders have been released; this will become a new issue.