Akbar Hashemi's Memoirs - May 11, 2001 - Meeting with Abdullah Jasbi and a Political-Electoral Report, Along with Ahmad Tavakoli's Electoral Behavior

Meeting with Abdullah Jasbi and a Political-Electoral Report, Along with Ahmad Tavakoli's Electoral Behavior

Periodic Meeting with Majid Abbaspour, Advisor to the President and Responsible for Supporting Special Items, Which Hashemi or the Publisher Referenced as (Special Items and Industries). Majid Abbaspour Held This Position During Hashemi's Government as Well.

Meeting with Hamzeh Karami and His Request to Hashemi for Confirmation of His Qualifications and the Election Process in the Guardian Council Due to Remarks Made During His Election Campaign.

Political-Electoral Meeting with Assadollah Badamchian, Which Contains Important Points, Including Criticism of Ahmad Tavakoli's Electoral Behavior and Efforts to Obtain a Fatwa from Religious Authorities Against Seyyed Mohammad Khatami.

Meeting with Mohammad Ismail Karachi and Concerns About His Lack of Qualification Confirmation in the Guardian Council and His Request for Assistance from Hashemi.

Meeting with Hossein Mahluji and Doubts About Ali Shamkhani's Motivation for Candidacy, Along with Consultation for Establishing a Private Bank with Gholamhossein Karbaschi and Mohammad Reza Behzadian.

Consultative and Political Meeting with Seyyed Jafar Shabiri Zanjani, the Head of the Supreme Court Branch, Accompanied by Mohammad Hadi Abdkhodai, the Current Ambassador of the Islamic Republic in the Vatican.

Complete Daily Record:

Dr. Abdullah Jasbi, the president of the Islamic Azad University, came to discuss extensive planning for election campaigning and expressed hope for a significant vote, contrary to observers' opinions. He mentioned that Ahmad Tavakoli has faced criticism from revolutionary forces for raising the idea of a Second Republic and that he requires a loan for election expenses.

Mr. Majid Abbaspour, the technical advisor to the president and head of the Research and Environmental Studies Center, visited. He reported on the status of special industries and had inquiries regarding the elections. Mr. Hamzeh Karami, a candidate for the midterm parliamentary elections from Kermanshah, arrived. It seems the Guardian Council does not accept his qualifications; he sought assistance. He is affiliated with the Executives of Construction Party and has made statements during the election campaign that have been contested by the Guardian Council.

Mr. Assadollah Badamchian, the political secretary of the Islamic Coalition Party, came to discuss the presidential elections and had various questions and proposals. He expressed dissatisfaction with Ahmad Tavakoli's statements and noted that the Coalition has not yet made a decision regarding support for any candidate. Reports suggest that efforts are underway in Qom to obtain a fatwa from some clerics against Seyyed Mohammad Khatami, and he believes Khatami's votes will be significantly lower than in the previous election.

In the evening, Mr. Mohammad Ismail Karachi, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Organization for Development and Renovation of Industries, came. He is a candidate for the elections and is worried that the Guardian Council may reject him due to his lack of recognition. He sought assistance, believing that technocrats would support him. Mr. Hossein Mahluji, the executive deputy of the Strategic Research Center of the Expediency Discernment Council, visited. He mentioned doubts among observers regarding Ali Shamkhani's motivation for candidacy. Some believe he has aligned with the reformists, while others see him as independent. He consulted about establishing a non-governmental bank in collaboration with Gholamhossein Karbaschi and Mohammad Reza Behzadian. I remarked that their success seems unlikely. He suggested that plans for the next presidential election should be considered starting now.

Seyyed Jafar Shabiri Zanjani, the head of Branch 11 of the Supreme Court, and Mohammad Hadi Abdkhodai, the Iranian ambassador to the Vatican, visited, expressing concerns about the country's economic and cultural situation, requesting that I take action. Mr. Abdkhodai provided details on the deep issues facing the textile industry. They strongly criticized the attacks by reformists and leftists, coordinated by counter-revolutionaries, against me in the last parliamentary elections.