Akbar Hashemi's Memoirs - May 15, 2001 - Announcement of Approved Candidates for the Presidency

Meeting with the Ambassador of Kazakhstan and the invitation from President Nursultan Nazarbayev to Hashemi to attend the anniversary of the country's independence.

Meeting with Bahram Qasemi on the eve of his assignment as the Islamic Republic's Ambassador to Rome.

Gathering of several citizens from Komeijan protesting the dismissal of Seyyed Mohammad Baqer Shomaei, the Imam of the city.

Conveying Seyyed Mohammad Khatami's discontent through Mohammad Hashemi regarding the statements made by Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani, who is also a presidential candidate.

Announcement of the approved presidential candidates following a consultative meeting between Sheikh Mohammad Momen and Hashemi regarding Seyyed Mohammad Khatami, with his name now among the candidates, indicating he has been approved. Hashemi's efforts for the approval of Seyyed Mansour Razavi have also yielded results. However, in a significant move, the Guardian Council, alongside the incumbent President Khatami, has approved ten candidates.

Hashemi's account of the media's coverage regarding the closure of internet cafes in Tehran.

Complete Daily Record:

Mr. Tolegin Zhokiev, the Ambassador of Kazakhstan, visited. He delivered a letter from President Nursultan Nazarbayev, inviting me to attend the tenth anniversary of Kazakhstan's independence and to commemorate the anniversary of the elimination of nuclear weapons. He mentioned that after the collapse of the Soviet Union, there were 100 intercontinental missiles with nuclear warheads stationed in Kazakhstan, but the personnel were primarily Russian, with only one Kazakh officer. The management center was also in Russia. However, through negotiations with the five nuclear-armed countries, an agreement was signed to eliminate nuclear weapons, and they committed to defend us in times of danger, whether from nuclear or non-nuclear attacks. The ambassador himself led the negotiating team. He explained that the missiles had ten smaller warheads designed to strike ten targets upon approaching the main target.

In the Salt Treaty, it was agreed that only one missile would remain, while the other nine would be decommissioned to allow for possible defense. Currently, as the United States intends to implement a missile defense plan against the will of Europe, Russia, and China, there is a possibility that Russia might revert the status of the missiles back to what it was previously. He asked for assistance in resolving the legal status of the Caspian Sea, Kazakhstan's integration into the North-South Corridor, and strengthening transportation links.

Mr. Bahram Qasemi, the new ambassador to Italy, came for a farewell and consultation. He expressed a desire to promote cooperation between the two countries in small industries. I replied that it was a good idea and mentioned that the Italian Prime Minister had also raised this point during my meeting with him. It would be beneficial to identify accessible small industries in Italy. He noted that the victory of the center-right in Italy could be advantageous for Iran, but their closer ties with the United States might have negative implications. He also expressed concerns about the country's political situation and ongoing disputes.

In the evening, a group of people from Komeijan in Arak came to complain about the replacement of their Imam; they are followers of Seyyed Mohammad Baqer Shomaei, the former Imam. Mohammad, the executive deputy to the President, visited and mentioned that President Khatami was upset about Ali Shamkhani's remarks that the management of the country was weak.

The names of the candidates approved by the Guardian Council for the presidency have been announced: Seyyed Mohammad Khatami, Mohsen Rezai, Ahmad Tavakoli, Ali Fallahian, Abdullah Jasbi, Ali Shamkhani, Mustafa Hashemi Taba, Mansour Razavi, Mahmoud Kashani, Hassan Ghafoori-Fard, and Shahabuddin Sadr.

The issue of closing several internet cafes in Tehran has garnered significant attention in foreign media.