Akbar Hashemi's Memoirs - January 30, 2000 - Mohsen Rezaei’s Report on His Election Negotiations with Reformists

Meeting with Yadollah Tahernajad for Hashemi’s Assistance in His Disqualification from the Sixth Parliamentary Elections

Meeting with Student Groups Regarding the Parliamentary Elections

Mohsen Rezaei’s Report on His Election Negotiations with Reformists

Meeting with Shahrokhi, Representative of Ayatollah Khamenei in Southeast Asia

Meeting and Consultation with Hossein Kamali, Minister of Labor and Social Affairs

Meeting with Mashallah Shamsolvaezin and Sadegh Hosseini for Election Consultations with Hashemi

Meeting with Mohammad Farhadi, Minister of Health and Treatment, and Mohammadreza Vaezzadeh Mahdavi to Provide a Report on Health Insurance

Meeting with Seyed Mohammad Baqir Hakim, Head of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, Reporting on His Trip to Kuwait

Mr. [Yadollah] Tahernajad, representative of Chalous, came to complain about the Guardian Council's rejection of his qualifications. [A group of student representatives including Qazizadeh, Mahmoudi, Mousavi, Dehghani, Farhadi, Ayoozi, and Madani], members of student unions such as the Islamic Association and the Basij, came to explain the current state of universities and their plans for defending me. They thanked me for participating in the elections.

Mr. Mohsen Rezaei, [Secretary of the Expediency Discernment Council], came and said that the Participation Party, under the pretext of his presence on the Combatant Clergy Association's list, would not include him on theirs. He mentioned that Mr. [Saeed] Hajjarian came to visit him two nights ago to offer support but was unable to gain his trust. Hajjarian reportedly said that Mr. Hashemi had directed his political fire at them, while they preferred not to have any conflicts with him. Two or three people accompanying Hajjarian objected to him severely, leading to a heated argument.

Mr. [Seyed Mohammad Naqi] Shahrokhi Khorramabadi, [Representative of Ayatollah Khamenei in Southeast Asia], came asking for assistance with cultural matters for the community in Bangladesh. In the afternoon, Mr. [Hossein] Kamali, Minister of Labor [and Social Affairs], came and mentioned that two days ago, he strongly objected in a cabinet meeting due to the government's failure to address youth needs, warning that the unemployment crisis among the youth was dangerous. He brought a sum of money for election campaign expenses, which I refused, saying I did not plan to spend any funds on the campaign.

Mr. [Mashallah] Shamsolvaezin and Mr. Sadegh Hosseini came to provide an analysis of the situation with the youth. Shams asked me to show some alignment with the demands of the so-called reformists. I responded with an analysis, saying that these radical actions and chaotic propaganda are a ticking time bomb on the path to proper political development, which draws from the revolution and the reconstruction period. They requested an interview, which I postponed.

[Mr. Mohammad Farhadi], the Minister of Health, and [Mr. Mohammadreza Vaezzadeh Mahdavi], Head of the Health Insurance Organization, came to present a report on health insurance, medications, and other issues. I gave them some recommendations to activate the insurance system and ensure medicine availability.

Mr. [Seyed Mohammad Baqir] Hakim, [Head of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq], came to report on his trip to Kuwait. He quoted the Kuwaiti Minister of Defense, who said the Americans had told him that Saddam Hussein [President of Iraq] would be finished this year. The Americans also sought a meeting with Mr. Hakim, but he declined unless they had something new to offer. During a banquet, the American ambassador was brought in among the guests.