Memories of Akbar Hashemi - February 16, 2002 - The Inability of the Expediency Discernment Council to Resolve Disputes Between Parliament and the Guardian Council Regarding the Amendment of Note 1041 of the Civil Code and the Referral Back to the Council

The Inability of the Expediency Discernment Council to Resolve Disputes Between Parliament and the Guardian Council Regarding the Amendment of Note 1041 of the Civil Code and the Referral Back to the Council’s Commission

A Thought-Provoking Message from Sheikh Hassan Sanei Through Mr. Mojtaba Tehrani to Ayatollah Khamenei Regarding Media Control and Corruption, Noting That If the Leader of the Islamic Republic Has Any Considerations, He Should Declare Them. The Choice of a Trustworthy Figure Like Sheikh Hassan Sanei to Convey the Message Indicates Higher Considerations and Messages.

Meeting with Masoud Soltani Far, the Governor of Gilan, and Consultations for the Development of Mission Areas

Full Text of the Daily Journal:

During the session of the [Expediency Discernment Council], the [amendment of Note 1041 of the Civil Code regarding the legal age for marriage, approved by Parliament in 1991,] was discussed, which has caused a dispute between Parliament and the Guardian Council. Parliament has set the court's permission as a requirement for marriages below 18 years for boys and below 15 years for girls, while the Guardian Council considers it contrary to Islamic law. The judicial commission of the [Expediency Discernment Council] has expressed a similar view to that of Parliament; after three hours of discussion, we reached no conclusion. The matter was referred back to the commission for further review.

Mr. Hassan Sanei, [the head of the 15 Khordad Foundation], brought a message from Haj Agha Mojtaba Tehrani, asking me to inform the leadership to take decisive and comprehensive actions for controlling the media and rampant corruption, and if there are any issues, they should be communicated for assistance.

In the afternoon, Mr. [Masoud] Soltani Far, the Governor of Gilan, visited. He reported on development projects, including the Qazvin-Anzali railway, fish farming in cages, water management, and the adverse effects of combating economic corruption on public trust in the system and its officials. I also raised points regarding the water canal from Astara to Gonbad, pursuing the connection of the Azerbaijan railway to Astara, organizing the Sefidrood River, the Anzali wetland, and developing tourism in the mountainous areas of Ashkour and second crops.

The case of the killing of Dr. Abdul Rahman, the Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation of Afghanistan, remains ambiguous. Some sources suggest he was killed by political rivals, while others attribute it to angry pilgrims and ordinary citizens. There has been another armed attack on a U.S. forces base and a watch post in Kabul. Dick Cheney, the U.S. Vice President, has stated that the U.S. has lost hope in the Iranian government.

South Korean students held widespread demonstrations against [George] Bush's visit to their country, labeling Bush as the "Axis of Evil."