Memories of Akbar Hashemi - January 27, 2002 - Developments in the Expediency Discernment Council Regarding the Approval of General Policies on Participation and National Security

Developments in the Expediency Discernment Council Regarding the Approval of General Policies on Participation and National Security

Following consultations with Sheikh Ali Yunusi and Sheikh Ahmad Shafi'i, Minister and Deputy Minister of Intelligence, to prevent the issuance of the special court ruling regarding the accusations against the defendants in the serial killings, news from Seyed Mahmoud Hashemi Shahrudi indicated the court's opposition to delaying the issuance of the ruling, ultimately leading to the publication of details regarding the convictions of the defendants.

Political Consultations with Sheikh Abbas Vaez Tabasi Regarding Elections and Other Matters

Meeting with Sheikh Mohammad Ali Zam and Expressions of Discontent Over Working Conditions at the Cultural and Artistic Organization of Tehran Municipality Following the Resignation of Ataollah Mohajerani, and the Participants of the Cultural Solidarity Conference of Tehran and Palestine

Full Text of the Daily Notes:

This morning, the Expediency Discernment Council convened. We completed the general policies on participation, and discussions began regarding the general policies on national security. I informed the council that a portion of the approved policies has been confirmed and communicated by the leadership, and we discussed oversight on implementation, advising them to await the regulations. Supporters of the government are concerned about the strictness of the observers and the actions of the Guardian Council.

Mr. Seyed Mahmoud Hashemi Shahrudi, the head of the judiciary, stated that the judge did not accept a delay in announcing the ruling in the serial killings case, and it was announced that three defendants were sentenced to death while three others were acquitted, and the remaining defendants received prison sentences ranging from two years to life. During lunch, Mr. Abbas Vaez Tabasi, the custodian of the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza, and several others were my guests. We discussed elections and the country's problems.

In the afternoon, Mr. Mohammad Ali Zam, the head of the Cultural and Artistic Organization of Tehran Municipality and the Art Bureau, expressed his discontent over his working conditions, noting that after the removal of Mr. Ataollah Mohajerani, the pressure on him had increased significantly. A group of participants from the Cultural Solidarity Conference of Tehran and Palestine also attended. Mr. Zam provided a report, and Mr. Yusuf Tafeesh, a Palestinian poet, along with Mr. Muzaffar Al-Nuwwab, an Iraqi poet, recited poetry and spoke at the event. They thanked me for my efforts in raising awareness about Palestinian issues among Iranians, particularly for translating the book "The Palestinian Cause," published under the title "The History of Palestine, or the Black Record of Colonialism," and presented me with gifts. I also gave gifts to the Arab poets whose works focus on Palestine and to other present artists.

The death toll from the earthquake in western India is rapidly increasing, reaching 13,000 dead, dozens injured, and thousands missing by 10 PM. The following day, it was announced that the death toll had risen to 20,000 and is still on the rise.