Akbar Hashemi's Memoirs - November 3, 1999 - Consultation on Initial Candidate List for Kargozaran Party

• Meeting with Mohsen Rafighdoost and encouragement for Hashemi to run in the Sixth Parliamentary Elections
• Consultation with Mohammad Hashemi on the initial list of candidates for the Kargozaran Sazandegi Party
• Discussions between Seyyed Hossein Marashi and Hashemi regarding support for Gholamhossein Karbaschi's pardon
• Separate ceremony for November 4th (13th of Aban) organized by Daftar-e Tahkim Vahdat, focusing on dialogue instead of the traditional anti-American rhetoric, which sparked a sharp response from Ayatollah Khamenei

Mr. Mohsen Rafighdoost, [former head of the Mostazafan Foundation], visited. Most of the time was spent with him insisting on his arguments for my candidacy in the [Sixth Parliamentary] elections. He said that even the right-wing forces who criticized you during the last years of your government are now regretful and acknowledge your stance on foreign policy, economy, politics, and even culture.

My brother Mohammad, [Chairman of the Central Council of the Kargozaran Sazandegi Party], also came and provided a report on the party's potential list for the elections, which mostly includes moderate figures, with a few from the left. This list would not allow them to form an alliance with the left-wing groups. We also discussed the pardon for Mr. [Gholamhossein] Karbaschi and the trial of Mr. [Abdullah] Nouri. Mohsen and Hossein Marashi joined me for lunch, and they too spoke about the party's election strategy and candidate list.

Hossein insisted strongly on my candidacy and mentioned that he had asked [Seyyed Mahmoud Hashemi] Shahroudi, [Chief Justice], for Karbaschi's pardon. Shahroudi responded that Karbaschi should submit a personal request for pardon.

In the afternoon, I officiated the marriage ceremony for Mr. Adab's son, who was previously in charge of clerical affairs in the President's Office and still handles some of these matters. He typically accepts the marriages that I officiate.

Mr. [Abdullah] Nouri's trial, [Editor-in-Chief of Khordad newspaper], is getting significant attention in both domestic and foreign media, with Western outlets showing support for him. It's surprising how the taboo of such support has faded.

Daftar-e Tahkim Vahdat held a separate ceremony for November 4th [anniversary of the U.S. Embassy takeover in Tehran] at the Tehran University Mosque today. In some other cities, instead of the usual anti-American attacks, there was talk of dialogue and de-escalation, in line with the government's policies. However, the Leader's speech today included a strong condemnation of those who have reversed the purpose of this National Day against Global Arrogance.

General [Pervez] Musharraf has stated that he intends to consult public opinion regarding the future structure of Pakistan's government. Political circles have expressed concern about the ambiguity of the Taliban's goals. They have announced that they will not expel [Osama] bin Laden, [leader of al-Qaeda].

The U.S.-Israel-Palestine summit in Oslo ended without clear results, despite [Bill Clinton], the U.S. President, attending. [Vladimir Putin], Russia's Prime Minister, also met with Clinton there to justify the Russian invasion of Chechnya, though reports indicate that the U.S. has issued a warning to Russia.