Memories of Akbar Hashemi - January 25, 2002 - Private Meeting with Ayatollah Khamenei to Discuss Hossein Laghmanian and Actions by Gholam Ali Haddad Adel, Along with Other Political Consultations of the Day

Meeting with Sheikh Abbas Ali Alizadeh, the then Head of the Judiciary in Tehran, Regarding the Mention of 18 Majlis Representatives in Shahram Jazayeri Arab's Confessions and Criticism of Sheikh Mehdi Karroubi's Actions in the Majlis for the Release of Hossein Laghmanian

Meeting with Abdollah Jasbi to Discuss Establishing a Party and Matters Related to Islamic Azad University, Including Reports Against the Participation Front and the Office for Strengthening Unity for Actions Against This University

Private Meeting with Ayatollah Khamenei to Discuss Hossein Laghmanian, Gholam Ali Haddad Adel's Actions, and Other Political Consultations of the Day

Full Text of the Daily Notes:

Mr. Abbas Ali Alizadeh, the head of the judiciary in Tehran, visited. He stated that the names of 18 Majlis representatives appeared in Shahram Jazayeri's confessions, claiming they received assistance. Some individuals may be questioned without summons, while others will be summoned to court. He criticized Mr. Mehdi Karroubi, the Speaker of the Majlis, for his actions in the Majlis regarding the release of Laghmanian, noting that Karroubi had learned a few days prior that the Judiciary was attempting to resolve the issue, but due to a decision from the Society of Combatant Clergy, he took this political action. He provided an explanation regarding the indictment of the defendants.

Dr. Abdollah Jasbi, the president of Islamic Azad University, visited. He reported on establishing a party and issues related to Islamic Azad University, stating that members of the Participation Front and the Office for Strengthening Unity, along with the Ministry of Interior, are attempting to create an organization named the Students of Islamic Azad University, composed of expelled and opposing individuals, to disrupt the university, which has better discipline and order compared to state universities. I reminded him about the faculty of theology at the Northern Tehran branch and the statements made by Mr. Ali Akbar Velayati and Mr. Aladdin Boroujerdi.

U.S. President George Bush has requested an additional $48 billion in military funding from Congress for the coming year, highlighting the colonial and militaristic policies of the U.S., despite significant disagreements between Congress and the U.S. government regarding the budget and economic policies.

In the evening, I was a guest of the leadership. It was mentioned that two days before the pardon of Mr. Laghmanian, Mr. Gholam Ali Haddad Adel, the representative from Tehran, stated that the right-wing representatives of the Majlis intend to request that the Judiciary solve the problem in a letter while also having the approval of the leadership, but there was no talk of a pardon. It appears that after the Attorney General's office did not pursue Article 31, the suggestion for a pardon was raised.

Concerns were expressed regarding the actions of teachers and educators, as thousands gathered in front of the Majlis and in many counties, demanding more benefits and reforms in their professional affairs. There are worries that this could be exploited by the enemies, inciting foreign involvement. It is suspected that some education officials might be instigators to secure more resources and budgets. I noted that they also think that opponents of the Minister are fueling tensions due to the removal of the cultural deputy, which has caused significant issues for the Minister of Education.

We discussed the topics they plan to address in a speech tomorrow. I indicated that if not managed correctly, it could be dangerous, as it targets professional matters that need addressing. There are also political slogans being raised. Mr. Karroubi, the Speaker of the Majlis, has faced insults from representatives who have demanded his presence among them, and because he did not attend, they chanted, "Karroubi is pitiful; the nation doesn't love you!" They refused to speak with representatives Behzad Nabavi, the Deputy Speaker, and Ahmad Pournejani, the representative from Tehran, while chanting, "One month's salary of a representative is equal to one year's salary of a teacher," "Incompetent minister, resign!", and some chanted, "Leave Palestine, think about us!" Eventually, their representatives went to the Speaker's office for negotiations, but to no avail.

We discussed the need for solutions to significant political, economic, and cultural issues in the country. They mentioned that pressures are being placed on the government to take appropriate economic, cultural, and political actions. Yesterday, a meeting was held in their presence regarding employment; the cabinet stated that to create sufficient jobs, $25 billion in foreign resources is needed and asked for conditions to be established to attract foreign investment, but their suggestions were not accepted, and they were told to find better solutions. I conveyed that with the current situation, we would not succeed in economic, political, or cultural matters. We also discussed the members of the Expediency Discernment Council for the next term, the issues in Afghanistan, and the dangers posed by the U.S.