Akbar Hashemi's Memoirs - November 7, 1999 - Meeting with Abdullah Jasbi and Discussion on Issues Facing Islamic Azad University

In today’s entry, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani recounts a meeting with Dr. Abdullah Jasbi, president of Islamic Azad University. Jasbi discussed the challenges posed by oversight from Mostafa Moein, the Minister of Culture and Higher Education at the time, as well as the Secretariat and Supervisory Commission of the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution. He expressed dissatisfaction with the level of scrutiny imposed on the university.

Jasbi also provided an update on a plan, which was confidential at the time but later surfaced during the sixth parliamentary election under the "Chakad" political front. Despite mobilizing significant resources, this effort did not succeed.

Additionally, Ahmad Dastmalchian, the former Iranian ambassador to Jordan, visited Rafsanjani. Dastmalchian expressed concern about potential threats to Iran from the coordination between Turkey, Israel, Azerbaijan, and the issue of the three islands in the Persian Gulf. He suggested closer ties with China, India, and Russia, while also recommending increased communication with the Iranian public on domestic matters.

Later in the day, Rafsanjani met with Jahangir Askari, managing director of Fan Nirou Company, along with engineers Hemmati and Roshani, who work on desalination technologies. They thanked Rafsanjani for his longstanding support. He advised them to focus on reverse osmosis (RO) technology, which is more advanced and cost-effective compared to traditional thermal desalination methods. The team noted that the U.S. and Israel were working on a new technique using waste energy from power plants and factories.

In the afternoon, Rafsanjani attended the opening of a mining exhibition at the Tehran International Fairgrounds. Most of the exhibits showcased decorative stones, and industrialists expressed their gratitude for the policies during Rafsanjani’s presidency, which had revitalized the stone industry. After a report by Es'haq Jahangiri, Minister of Mines and Metals, on the importance of Iran's mining sector and its potential contribution to the economy, Rafsanjani delivered a speech outlining the achievements of the construction era and broader policy goals set by the Expediency Council. Jahangiri also acknowledged the support provided during Rafsanjani's presidency.

In Tajikistan, President Emomali Rahmon was re-elected for another seven-year term. While global institutions criticized the election as undemocratic, the Islamic opposition eventually agreed to participate in the electoral process.